Re: Aspie on American Idol!

[Guest guest]

did he move on to hollywood?

>

> Anyone catch it?

> He was the last one in San Francisco.

> He was dx'd with asperger's & tourette's... Married w/a son and a great

voice!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Is his performance online anywhere?

H

On Thursday, February 10, 2011, bkaspiemom <rachelfran@...> wrote:

> Anyone catch it?

> He was the last one in San Francisco.

> He was dx'd with asperger's & tourette's... Married w/a son and a great

voice!

>

>

--

***The Will Of God Will Never Take You ...

Where the Grace Of God Will Not Protect You***

[Guest guest]

Yes, he did... he sang very well.. I noticed he had some of the same eye /forehead movements my son has.

Sandy

In a message dated 2/10/2011 12:06:42 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, brandigratton@... writes:

did he move on to hollywood?>> Anyone catch it?> He was the last one in San Francisco.> He was dx'd with asperger's & tourette's... Married w/a son and a great voice!> > >

[Guest guest]

he did move on -- check out :

http://www.examiner.com/tv-in-national/american-idol-2011-james-durbin-battles-t\

ourettes-and-aspergers-to-win-dream

the full story and audition is here :

You can definitely see some tics when he performs ...

> >

> > Anyone catch it?

> > He was the last one in San Francisco.

> > He was dx'd with asperger's & tourette's... Married w/a son and a great

voice!

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I saw it too! I got goosebumps listening to his story and hearing him sing.From: md l <dontblinkhs@...> Sent: Thu, February 10, 2011 7:50:51 AMSubject: Re: ( ) Aspie on American Idol!

I saw it and was very impressed with his singing.. I can't wait to see how he does. He didn't seem very Aspie-ish to me though during the interview and audition.. I suspect we'll see more Aspie come out in the coming weeks as the pressure mounts.

Misty

From: bkaspiemom <rachelfran@...> Sent: Thu, February 10, 2011 6:18:47 AMSubject: ( ) Aspie on American Idol!

Anyone catch it?He was the last one in San Francisco.He was dx'd with asperger's & tourette's... Married w/a son and a great voice!

[Guest guest]

Durkin (or something similar) . . . . he made it through holloywood week day 1!

( ) Aspie on American Idol!

Anyone catch it?

He was the last one in San Francisco.

He was dx'd with asperger's & tourette's... Married w/a son and a great voice!

[Guest guest]

From: bkaspiemom <rachelfran@...> Sent: Thu, February 10, 2011 9:15:30 AMSubject: ( ) Re: Aspie on American Idol!

he did move on -- check out : http://www.examiner.com/tv-in-national/american-idol-2011-james-durbin-battles-tourettes-and-aspergers-to-win-dreamthe full story and audition is here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n0iKMsbCI0You can definitely see some tics when he performs ... > >> > Anyone catch it?> > He was the last one in San Francisco.> > He was dx'd with asperger's &

tourette's... Married w/a son and a great voice!> > > > > >>

[Guest guest]

I cried like a big baby. He said he used to get made fun of and picked on and

bullied as a kid. I had my son watch it. He can pick up a song and dance or

sing or play an instrument to it the first time he hears it. reminds me

so much of my Max. Google him or YouTube him. He is super talented and my vote

for the next American Idol!!! As for him not seeming very Aspie, I disagree.

He is very emotional and the fact that JLo even noticed that he " goes to another

place " when he sings makes sense. My son can perform for anyone and any amount

of people but he cannot have a one-on-one with even me. I think we will see

lots of similarities in him and our own as the season progresses. I can't

wait!!

>

> I saw it too! I got goosebumps listening to his story and hearing him sing.

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: md l <dontblinkhs@...>

>

> Sent: Thu, February 10, 2011 7:50:51 AM

> Subject: Re: ( ) Aspie on American Idol!

>

>

> I saw it and was very impressed with his singing.. I can't wait to see how he

> does. He didn't seem very Aspie-ish to me though during the interview and

> audition.. I suspect we'll see more Aspie come out in the coming weeks as the

> pressure mounts.

>

>

> Misty

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: bkaspiemom <rachelfran@...>

>

> Sent: Thu, February 10, 2011 6:18:47 AM

> Subject: ( ) Aspie on American Idol!

>

>

> Anyone catch it?

> He was the last one in San Francisco.

> He was dx'd with asperger's & tourette's... Married w/a son and a great voice!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

The tics are noticeable but I don't think the Aspergers diagnosis is accurate in

his case. He speaks well, intervews well, shows emotions, enteracts well,

doesn't seem to be bothered by the loud music.....etc. Not sure what's going on.

Has anyone heard of Clay Mazo? Watch this video---Now this guy has Aspergers and

it totally shows when he interviews.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4378047 & categoryid=3060647

>

> Durkin (or something similar) . . . . he made it through holloywood week

day 1!

>

>

>

>

>

> ( ) Aspie on American Idol!

>

>

> Anyone catch it?

> He was the last one in San Francisco.

> He was dx'd with asperger's & tourette's... Married w/a son and a great voice!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I think that we all need to remember that this is a spectrum, not all aspie kids don't do well with interviewing or whatever. I don't think that that few minutes of clippings can give us an accurate picture, remember they can cut things out and paste things in and make it seem like nothing changed.... I think it will be more telling to see how he does during the next few shows in Hollywood....

Carolyn

From: Andre <pplpowr@...> Sent: Friday, February 11, 2011 9:15 AMSubject: ( ) Re: Aspie on American Idol!

The tics are noticeable but I don't think the Aspergers diagnosis is accurate in his case. He speaks well, intervews well, shows emotions, enteracts well, doesn't seem to be bothered by the loud music.....etc. Not sure what's going on. Has anyone heard of Clay Mazo? Watch this video---Now this guy has Aspergers and it totally shows when he interviews. http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4378047 & categoryid=3060647--- In , le Gallagher <Dmgallagher83@...> wrote:>> Durkin (or something similar) . . . . he made it through holloywood week day 1!> > > > > > ( ) Aspie on American Idol!> > > Anyone catch it?> He was the last one in San Francisco.> He was dx'd with asperger's & tourette's... Married w/a son and a great voice!> > >

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[Guest guest]

Aspergers is a spectrum disorder just like all other ASDs - and each person/child is different, hence why the autism symbol is a puzzle piece. There are times when my son seems like any other child and there are times where you can totally tell he is a little different. You know your child best but it is easy to look at one person that fits the stereotype and say that is an Aspie and also to say that person is not. I do not know who gave this guy the diagnosis and did it involve observation time or just questionnaires. I would just try to be opened minded because not all people fit into a diagnosis box. Often many have some ADHD symptoms, some bipolar symptoms, some Tourette's symptoms, some classic autism aymptoms, some oppositional defiant disorder symptoms, some

conduct disorder symptoms, sensory integration disorder symptoms, even some have schizophrenia symptoms. All of these things are related and overlap but do not necesarily mean the person has that particular disorder. Often though they morph and change as time goes on and under different treatments you see different aspects of what is affecting that person. Most Aspies speak well and in fact that is part of the criteria. Some are capable of showing emotion but have a harder time understanding it, verbalizing it, or feeling it. They learn to mimic what others are doing. IT can be called a msk face. For years my son just smiled at everyone all the time because he di not know how else to respond. Everyone thought he was so cute until he was smiling and laughing when someone got hurt. Some like loud music and soft sounds will drive them nuts, or some are not affected by sound at all but bright lights bother them or the texture of certain foods make

them crazy, or they can't stand the way socks feel or tags on clothing. Each person is different, which does not make the diagnosis wrong, it means that person is affected differently.

That said, it could be absolutely wrong, I do not know who did the diagnosis, if it even true or not, and I am not a doctor, but I have seen many people judge and the one thing I have learned through my whole experience if nothing else, is to stop judging others. My son has made so much progress, he no longer spins, flaps his arms like wings, peels crayons, blinks incessantly, and can even now make eye contact at times. It was through lots of work to get there. Perhaps this young man has been through the same thing and we should all be very proud of his accomplishments and the possibility that our children may some day accomplish a similar feat, in that someone would doubt their diagnosis. Isn't that what we all hope for and work for , that someday our children will be no different or distinguishable in a crowd than anyone else? That is what I hope for for my child. I love his Aspie quirks and his wonderful way of looking at the world but I

see how much he just wnts to be like everyone else. I truly hope that someday he wiljust blend in with the crowd.

From: Andre <pplpowr@...> Sent: Fri, February 11, 2011 9:15:14 AMSubject: ( ) Re: Aspie on American Idol!

The tics are noticeable but I don't think the Aspergers diagnosis is accurate in his case. He speaks well, intervews well, shows emotions, enteracts well, doesn't seem to be bothered by the loud music.....etc. Not sure what's going on. Has anyone heard of Clay Mazo? Watch this video---Now this guy has Aspergers and it totally shows when he interviews. http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4378047 & categoryid=3060647--- In , le Gallagher <Dmgallagher83@...> wrote:>> Durkin (or something similar) . . . . he made it through holloywood week day 1!> > > > > > ( ) Aspie on American Idol!> > > Anyone catch it?> He was the last one in San Francisco.> He was dx'd with asperger's & tourette's... Married w/a son and a great voice!> > >

[Guest guest]

I just did not see the social deficit at all. You are right though in that it is

a spectrum disorder and not 2 people are alike. But from what I know all aspies

have some degree of social deficit. I did not see it with him but then again

let's see how he does the next few shows. Regardless, he has a great voice and

we wish him the best.

> >

> > Durkin (or something similar) . . . . he made it through holloywood

week day 1!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ( ) Aspie on American Idol!

> >

> >

> > Anyone catch it?

> > He was the last one in San Francisco.

> > He was dx'd with asperger's & tourette's... Married w/a son and a great

voice!

> >

> >

> >

>

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[Guest guest]

,

I totally agree with what you are saying! It is the same with my 11 y/o ds.

Sometimes he appears so much like any other kid, but then he will say or do

something and it snaps me back into reality. And he is not a typical AS child,

as I have been told, though I am not sure there is a " typical " with AS. I have

been asked why he has eye contact, because AS kids do not make eye contact, or

why he lies, because AS kids do not lie...it is such a spectrum, and it is so

difficult to try and educate others about all of his unique differences. And

like your son, all he ever wants is to be just like all of the other kids, to

blend in, and that is what I wish for him also. It is so heartbreaking to hear

him cry in his room when he is not able to do some of the things that other kids

his age do. Because he has recently gotten into a lot of trouble at school and

online for saying inappropriate things, we have had to really pull back on the

reins with him in terms of freedom to protect him, but he does not understand

why at all. He just keeps crying and saying that he just wants to be

normal.....so sad.

> >

> > Durkin (or something similar) . . . . he made it through holloywood

week

> >day 1!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ( ) Aspie on American Idol!

> >

> >

> > Anyone catch it?

> > He was the last one in San Francisco.

> > He was dx'd with asperger's & tourette's... Married w/a son and a great

voice!

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

,

That's all wonderful and gives us all hope that our little ones may one day act

and appear no different than anyone else and I'm so glad you said this. Again, I

have not heard of one child who got diagnosed with Aspergers and had no

significal difficulty in social interaction. While all other things can vary the

social difficulty is there and will always be there to some degree. It may

improve with OT and interventions but it will not go away. It is the core of the

Aspergers syndrome. Their brains are just wired this way. This guy seemed

comfortable socially which is great news and great hope too. He is also married

and has one child which is even better. If he turely has Aspergers that's

exactly how I would like to see my son communicate and interact 15 years from

today. All the best!

> > >

> > > Durkin (or something similar) . . . . he made it through holloywood

week

> > >day 1!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ( ) Aspie on American Idol!

> > >

> > >

> > > Anyone catch it?

> > > He was the last one in San Francisco.

> > > He was dx'd with asperger's & tourette's... Married w/a son and a great

voice!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

11 - 3 more years for me- I can not even imagine what it will be like by then.... I hope and pray everything we do now makes 11 easier but somehow, I am just not sure.

I feel bad rereading what I wrote - I kind of sounded preachy but I am glad someone got what I meant. I think sometimes I get frustrated because people act like I shouldn't be so concerned or do so much for my son, when they do not even see the half of what life is like without us doing what we do. I get the crying thing. Everyone at school tells me my son is doing well and he comes home to me crying everyone hates him and he has not friends and no one will play with him at recess. He is such a nea kid- I wish the other kids could see that like I do, but I know he can be difficult to get along with at times, so I try to foster their relationships as best I can froma distance. No birthday invites for a over a year now, so I sent in playdate invites to all teh boys in class. So far two have taken us up on the offer. The last one said he wished he could have stayed longer so hopefully we are making some headway.

We do not have a working compute in our house, so thankflly we do not have internet issues yet. I know I can not avoid that one forever though.

From: <craftmasterk@...> Sent: Fri, February 11, 2011 7:00:40 PMSubject: ( ) Re: Aspie on American Idol!

,I totally agree with what you are saying! It is the same with my 11 y/o ds. Sometimes he appears so much like any other kid, but then he will say or do something and it snaps me back into reality. And he is not a typical AS child, as I have been told, though I am not sure there is a "typical" with AS. I have been asked why he has eye contact, because AS kids do not make eye contact, or why he lies, because AS kids do not lie...it is such a spectrum, and it is so difficult to try and educate others about all of his unique differences. And like your son, all he ever wants is to be just like all of the other kids, to blend in, and that is what I wish for him also. It is so heartbreaking to hear him cry in his room when he is not able to do some of the things that other kids his age do. Because he has recently gotten into a lot of trouble at school and online for saying inappropriate things, we have had to really pull back on the reins

with him in terms of freedom to protect him, but he does not understand why at all. He just keeps crying and saying that he just wants to be normal.....so sad.> >> > Durkin (or something similar) . . . . he made it through holloywood week > >day 1!> > > > > > > > > > > > ( ) Aspie on American Idol!> > > > > > Anyone catch it?> > He was the last one in San Francisco.> > He was dx'd with asperger's & tourette's... Married w/a son and a great voice!> > > > > >>

[Guest guest]

Please do not feel bad.... and keep on preaching! Everything that you said is

so, so true. I do not post often at all, I mostly just read other posts, and it

really helps so much to see that I am not alone in all of my struggles...we are

all in the same boat, and everyone is here to help each other from their own

experiences, and I cannot thank everyone enough for all of the " preaching " , and

knowledge that is shared here. It is a great bunch of people who really support

each other and try to help.

I am new to my son's AS dx, but not new to all of the behaviors that just never

had a name. I am so thankful to finally have a dx for him....he was just dx

last May with AS, and it has been very, very difficult to deal with, but we

finally have an answer to why he has acted so differently all of these years.

My son will be 12 soon, and he is going through a lot with his dx, and not

accepting it very well. He wants nobody to know his dx and will go to great

lengths to hide it, though other kids can see his differences. Add to that the

fact that he is starting puberty, and it is a nasty combination. He tries so

hard to have friends, and will go over the top in his efforts. He cannot see

the big picture, and does not predict the consequences of his actions, which has

led to a lot of problems. He recently said some inappropriate things about a

girl in school and on facebook, saying that she was his girlfriend, and other

things I won't mention, but he was repeating what he has heard other kids say,

only not in the same context or at the right time or place. His facebook

account has been deleted, and we are password protected now so we have to sign

him on to the computer. I originally thought facebook was a good idea to allow

him to communicate with other kids since he has no friends, but I was not

literally watching his every move on it, though I did monitor his posts, and it

has gotten him into some predicaments. Although it was funny when he posted

something and asked for responses, and when other kids responded... he corrected

their spelling, lol!

It is a rough road ahead with him, and we are trying to get him more intense

intervention to deal with these types of problems, but there does not seem to be

anyone near us who has any expertise with AS, and I do not want to take him just

anywhere and do more damage than good. We are waiting to see if he will be

approved for more therapy at a center that we take him to for social skills

groups, which is almost 2 hours away for us, but well worth the drive. They are

the only ones I know and can trust, as they have the compassion and expertise,

and most professionals employed there also have kids on the spectrum, so they

get it.

Anyway, I am sorry to ramble...I just wanted you to know that I do know what

you are going through, and I am just as frustrated as you are! Hugs!

> > >

> > > Durkin (or something similar) . . . . he made it through holloywood

> >week

> >

> > >day 1!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ( ) Aspie on American Idol!

> > >

> > >

> > > Anyone catch it?

> > > He was the last one in San Francisco.

> > > He was dx'd with asperger's & tourette's... Married w/a son and a great

> >voice!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

>