My Son, the Someday Savant.

So Easter Weekend has ended. I must admit this weekend had me nervous with the potential to be really hairy(rain and being stuck indoors), but all three kids gave each other enough space most of the time to keep all parties chill.

In my working with Sean, I’ve really revised my approach to how I talk to him. Before having kids, my impression of being a parent is to be the authoritative Dad first and best friend second. It works great for my oldest son, but I needed to change my tactics a little to be the best Dad to Sean. If I had to define it, my style with Sean is an assertive personal assistant. That means I try my best to keep him informed of impending changes or the next scheduled event throughout the day or night. It seems to work, as changes from set expectations he has, are the where the hairiest situations occur.

When I'm trying to be his friend, that hasn’t changed much between the two boys. I pal around, offer encouragement, crack jokes, and always let him know I’m there to answer questions. As his friend, he’s amazing, and I think the help he’s getting shows. His classmates all had very nice things to say last week, when I attended his Spring Play. He gets many invitations to birthday parties, which I almost want to scream with joy for each one he brings home. It’s another victory.

My background is in communication, so while in “friend mode” I spend much time trying to get the most out of our conversations. In learning about Aspergers, one of the positives of having the diagnosis is the savant characteristic. Our BSC has asked if he’s shown much towards any topic, which may become his subject. I’ve been passionate about quite a few things, and my greatest successes came from things I have the great interest in, so I understand this.

I’ve read articles and excerpts from books written by Malcolm Gladwell. He’s the author of the 10,000 hour rule, and if you practice or work on anything for 10,000 hours, you become an expert on that subject. I can’t fault Malcolm’s reasoning, as he cites examples of The Beatles and others like scholars and athletes that mastered their crafts.

The notion intrigues me...

Could Jen and I direct Sean into a craft or study, that could make him world famous?

Could we align him to something today that would last him a lifetime, and give him the things he’ll need to survive on his own?

I pick his brain in our talks all the time. The only real interest he has right now is in trains, and maybe something great will become of that. He's only seven, I'll let him be a kids first. Nevertheless, I am hopeful for the opportunity to hear him really expand upon a subject, and help him achieve his dreams.

I also have web pages bookmarked, to get him magazines if he decides to go into nuclear physics and become this era's Albert Einstein (another suspected person with Aspergers). Can't hurt to hope. I know he's going to do great things!

Have a Great Week!
-B.J.