Re: Poem by Ian

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Hello!! This poem was made by my son who is now 18 yo. In this poem he describes the pain of his inability to make friends. He has OCD as well w/ his AS and his obsession is on keeping his only friend who is 14 yo. He totally overwhelms this kid w/ texts and IM's and e-mails,on line xbox etc. Well, last Friday, as always we had a hard time getting him to bed (about 11:30 then) and kept arguing w/ my dh(husband) and dh got so tired of arguing he flatly told our son he wasn't going to meet up w/ this friend this weekend. My son threw a huge tantrum and put 10 pills of Lexapro in his mouth. He already had it in his mouth so my dh called 911. My son eventually spewed out all the pills but by then the police/firemen where at our house. They questioned him and us. As it turns out, the policeman also has a 7

yo son who is in the autism spectrum as well. So he totally understands us. What a night!! It is through prayers that we get through days like this. Is there anybody out there who ever experiences this kind of friendship obsession w/ their kids? I feel like I am so alone in this experience. Usually, it's obsessions over routines (which he is also) , over topics or special interests that I encounter w/ others but not much on friendships. Thank you!!VickieFrom: Pam Lanham <lanham@...>Subject: ( ) Poem by Ian" " < >Date: Friday, May 14, 2010, 1:36 PM

Janet, in case no one else has sent this, yet, here it is!Sent from my iPhoneBegin forwarded message:From: mark erickson <marandvick (DOT) com>Date: April 6, 2010 11:45:59 PM CDT Subject: ( ) Re:Aspie Anthem: Poem by IanReply-

Hello!! I have not written in a while. Been dealing with a lot of issues w/ my 17 yo ds who is soon to turn 18 in 2 days. I would like to post this poem which he made regarding his condition. He is currently working on a big senior project which is a big part in their grade for graduation. He chose the topic about Asperger Syndrome since he has just been diagnosed w/ it summer of 2009. This poem is one of the aspects in the project. First time I read it, it broke my heart, to hear him describe vividly his inner thoughts and feelings. He is dealing w/ depression at this point and is taking lexapro 10 mg. and it seems to be helping a bit. He is also undergoing neurofeedback or biofeedback for a year now. He is

talking more to his peers, but his peers seems to be standoffish still towards him. Here's his poem. I hope it gives you better insight of what our sons and daughters are going through!!

The Aspie Anthem

For those who might show prejudice

This poem is for your edifice

Those around me seem flush with ease

Talking and befriending is such a breeze

I may not be as well composed

In situations social I can be indisposed

While others speak with flair and inflection

My manner of speaking is met with rejection

My voice may seem monotone

And find that I'm often alone

I'll not partake in group dynamics

I can get flustered by the social mechanics

While others seem to mix so well

I find my life can be a living hell

There's a part of me that's quite obsessed

With technical gadgets in excess

What I've conveyed may seem a curse

But in reality it's the inverse

I find that many are blessed like I

Marvels not limited by the sky

angelo' s ceiling showed angels in flight

Van Gogh painted "Starry, Starry Night"

I may not be an amazing musician

But Beethoven and Mozart shared my condition

Ben lin and Edison were skilled inventors

And I want to pursue in their endeavors

Bobby Fisher and I like to play chess

Not bad company in my guess

Lincoln and Jefferson, political greats

Are said to have shared some of these traits

Friendships have been elusive

Peers were often just abusive

Finding friends was a constant pursuit

Many were likely to give me the boot

In seeking acceptance I tended to jabber

Technical topics my constant gabber

In seeking acceptance I grasped at air

And was met with responses unfair

I desperately fought for someone's approval

But all I got was social removal

Rejection became a ceaseless fear

The far reaching consequences were severe

As intense need led to obsession

It was followed by recurrent depression

But coming through this I still have hope

I've learned a lot and broadened my scope

I feel I can be accepted now

In fact I'm ready to give a bow