Are Some Of Her Qualities Actually Benefits?

Tonight, I spent a little time reading a few articles I've had bookmarked for some time. I'm off to bed shortly, but some of this really screamed "Jordan" and I wanted to share it with you all. This piece actually addressed some of the benefits of Aspergers.

Here are a few snip-its from this short write up, which definitely applies to our sweetie:

"Asperger's and Self-Esteem: Insight and Hope through Famous Role Models," written by Norm Ledgin, claims that thirteen giants of history - Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, and Mozart among them - likely had Aspergers Syndrome. He documents that "Some people also believe that Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Charles Darwin, Galileo, Pablo Picasso, Benjamin Franklin, Margaret Mead and Aristotle could have likely been diagnosed with this syndrome.

Diane Kennedy, an author and advocate for Asperger Syndrome, writes, "They are our visionaries, scientists, diplomats, inventors, chefs, artists, writers and musicians. They are the original thinkers and a driving force in our culture."

Dierdre Lovecky, an expert in the field, has written about the positive aspects of Aspergers Syndrome. She's noted how:

those with Aspergers often have advanced vocabularies, recognize patterns others do not, and pursue ideas despite evidence to the contrary because they are not easily swayed by others' opinions. Their ability to focus on details and their inability to see the big picture means they can often come up with solutions to problems others overlook. Aspies are often willing to spend long hours in laboratories and in front of computer screens because they do not mind being alone. All this enables them to make tremendous contributions at work and school. Author Patricia Bashe points out that people often admire those who can work independently. She writes, "Our society celebrates the individual who does what he thinks is right and goes his own way."

Many experts relate that Aspies can make amazingly loyal friends. They are usually free from sexism or racism. They do not manipulate people but speak out frankly and honestly. They are sincere truth-tellers, whose naivety and trusting nature makes them incapable of backstabbing. As employees, they are completely dependable and follow the rules of the job. Psychologist Teresa Bolick writes, "Their deficits are actually assets, as they are unfettered by convention or manners. Aspies help us stay grounded by questioning why we do what we do, why we need to get married" and other basic societal assumptions.

Most of the above was taken from:

http://www.yourlittleprofessor.com/benefits.html

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"  Jeremiah 29:11  NIV

To Hork Or Not To Hork

For most of this year, Jordan has enjoyed using and saying the word "hork." Believe me, I've looked it up and it's actually out there. It's not in any of the printed dictionaries as far as I know, but it *can* be found in a few places online. Unless any one of you can tell me otherwise, its strongest representation is found on an Urban Dictionary website. But how and where did Jordan pick this up?

I'll get to that in a minute --

What pushed this subject to the forefront today was listening to Jordan's recitation of a poem she had written for a current English assignment.  The poem (*surprise*) is about wolves, her chosen topic.  In one of the lines, Jordan had written the word "hork," as in "The wolves were horking their food."  Oh dear me.

So right after she had gone to school this morning, I did a search on the web for the word. And whuddayaknow ... "hork" was mentioned in the movie Ratatouille!

See for yourself:

When Less Is More

Jordan came home from school today in a pleasant and friendly mood.  She didn't offer up much information about school, except to say that her favorite class today was English and that one of the boys got in a little trouble for talking too much.  I felt awful that I didn't get to spend much time with her this evening, but it was parent night at the high school.  

As I'm sitting here typing this, I'm realizing though that in at least one regard, less really *is* more.  No complaints or hurt feelings today were reported!  Yippee!! Praising You Lord for this!!

Tomorrow will start up another year of girl's friendship club for the sixth graders who are interested. In the past, Jordan has had mixed feelings about attending, questioning how "some girls can go to friendship club and forget the friend part." Sometimes in her innocence she hits the nail dead on. Last year I allowed Jordan to choose whether to go or not, and many times she chose to just come home. But as her mom, I know that shielding her from pain and keeping her from real-life social situations isn't helping her grow.  I'm so hopeful now since her teacher has addressed Asperger's with the entire grade and with the positive response from the students.  Some really appear to have "gotten it."  Again, all praise and glory are His! Isn't it amazing how far a little understanding and kindness can go? I think we all can learn from this.

But that's it for the day.  No telling how tomorrow will go. I'm heading to bed now, enjoying what's left of this rather calm day.    

Good night.

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me; 

he delivered me from all my fears."  Psalm 34:3  NIV 

Planning For The Big Day

Jordan is getting very excited about her upcoming birthday. To her, it's the one day that's guaranteed to please her taste buds from start to finish.  She's already reminding me that she would *love* bacon with some pancakes Friday morning.  She always eats the same thing everyday for lunch when she's in school ... shredded Boar's Head Ovengold turkey, slices of green pepper, a Minutemaid Pink Lemonade cooler and Asteroid cheese puffs; she hasn't decided if she'll change that up yet. Dinner is still being discussed since it will depend whether her friends can see the movie on Friday or Saturday.


Which reminds me -- the movie. After many months of waiting for its premiere, the movie "Alpha And Omega" opens on Jordan's birthday. Very apropos. For those of you who don't already know, Jordan is a lover of wolves and has been for almost half her life.  Lol!  I really think in her mind, she's actually one of them.  But that whole story is for another time.


Here's the trailer for "Alpha And Omega":





With all that said, I'm heading to bed a little earlier tonight with a huge prayer in my heart; not just for Jordan but for everyone. And especially 9 years after 9-11 ... it's a prayer about friendship, peace and love. And a verse on my mind:

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God."     
 1 John 4:7  NIV

Not Sure Why It's Like This, But...

This is sort of how "math with daddy" goes:

Bracing

Just sent an e-mail to her teacher:


Dear Mrs. X.,

Concerned older sister called me on her way to vball and said Jordan was crying out in the hallway a few minutes ago.  I'm so sorry.  Know that if you ever need me, most times I'm able to come right over to assist (although I'm not sure that I'd be teaching Jordan anything positive).

I'm not sure what prompted her "crying like when daddy tries to teach her math kind-of-cry." (sister's description.)

I know yesterday was overload on the stimuli with the tornado sirens, the dog barking, etc.  She also misplaced her Worldview study cards until late last night, so that was quite a bit for her.  Add to that, she's getting a little nervous in Mrs. Xxxxx's room and I believe Jordan has a black-or-white perception of "faces-at-rest" and each person's normal sound volume.

If I were to guess -- since Jordan's day 1 upset over the ants in her locker, she's actually gone longer than she probably ever has without another meltdown.  Maybe things have been building inside of her, mashed together with the stress of tests this week, the tornado warnings yesterday, and a little less sleep last night that she just couldn't keep things together?

I really appreciate you. Hugs to you! "Crying like when daddy tries to teach [Jordan] math kind-of-cry" is not a pretty experience.

In Him,
:)

Quotes from yesterday

"I was 1st person in line to get to first base!"

"They loved the hamsters I gave them!"

**************
**************

And a paraphrased event:

You know that new teacher who does Character Crew that I was going to talk to? Well, I saw her and went up to her and I told her that the people on stage need to be better actors, and they need to smile and look more like they're happy or the little kids won't be interested in our message. They need to be more excited-like not looking bored and stuff.

M:  (Yikes -) You told her that? And what did she say?

J:  Oh, she agreed with me and said she was thinking the same thing.

M:  And that was it?

J:  Yeah, and she hugged me and said thank you.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."   Matthew 6:34  NIV