Theory About Aspergers Syndrome - Evolution Possibly?

I am more and more convinced that an offshoot, or a form of Autism called Aspergers syndrome is in fact a stage in Evolution. It's very hard for those parents with children suffering this condition and we know from our own experience of a family member that it can be very challenging to say the least, but the more I see of a grandson who suffers it, the more I am convinced that it is part of evolution.

He is just so clever, with a memory that allows him to watch a dvd once and the next time pick up on the smallest detail. His movements whilst watching the film will sometimes mimic the next 'act' and he will sing songs quietly to himself that he has never heard before (used in the film) that date back to the 1950/60's, songs that if we tried to teach him would no doubt get the cold shoulder from him.

He has a bedroom full of models relating to Dr Who and similar, and seems to have a  photographic memory as he enters the room, perhaps 'scanning' the room. He knows in an instant if one of his models has been moved an inch. His parents have tried it deliberately to see his reaction and he will say "I don't know, who has done this" and then he will put it back where it was. He has so many models that he dusts them all, much to his Mums relief.

I think his biggest problem is that he can't, or won't communicate speech wise as we do, and he has to be prompted to make him talk, which his doting parents do in an attempt to help him speak more often, or to join in with the conversation around him. He has to be encouraged to ask for a drink, or an ice lolly for example.

He recently won a cup and medal for his ability to use the trampoline, something that was organized throughout Oxfordshire. He has a talent that should be encouraged still further, his parents were told.

So has anybody else got any theory or opinion that they might like to add to this? 

Shirley and Neil this almost runs with the power of meditation and things that we don't fully understand, doesn't it?

What do you think?

Typo...should have checked it first!

Hi Ron

Having read your post re Asperger's Syndrome and the amount of pages that I have viewed on the internet on the subject it seems that there is little out there for the treatment of this complaint other than keeping certain aspects of the situation under control.

The symptoms you describe fit into the categories described in the various papers published and I can only sympathize with the parents having to deal with the problem as it must be very worrying.

A child with this enhanced mind set that prevents him speaking or taking up normal conversation with others, which is probably due to the fact that he is talking inwardly to himself, therefore why is there a need to speak to anyone else, this could be one of the reasons.

You mentioned in your post that he sings quietly to himself I would try to promote this further, with interaction on a casual basis if he sings on key then sing off key to promote a reaction which I am sure would be forthcoming, then ask for assistance on how to do it correctly, a back door method to conversation.

Try and promote any interactive sports that involve comments on the styles or competiveness of the participants, again without giving away that is your intention to get him to speak.

If as you say he likes models then build models but purposely  make mistakes to achieve his interaction again by speech or actions.

If music may be his forte then let him sing, as song and music come from the heart try anything to rewire those lost connections that went missing during his fetal development.

 As you say Ron with regards to my meditation I must admit that I sometimes live in my own world I have been known to actually go to sleep whilst someone is talking to me, or I can be at the other side of the world during a conversation with someone.

Trisha knows when I am doing it because we have lived together so long.

Regards

Neil

Next Tuesday is our monthly Healing Circle

Can I put your name on the List that is read out at the end of every meeting for healing?

Hi John

I bow to your experience John having worked for 16 years with people with a different mind capability, I should have expressed myself more clearly I should have said it would have been my approach had I been confronted with the problem personally.

The approach would be so gentle that it would be hardly noticeable but just sufficient for the person to pick up the fact that there could possible be a mistake thus promoting conversation.

Through my Masonic Lodges we support many care homes for children and adults who are not able to communicate as we do, but I have stopped going on the visits to the homes, as each time we visited I would be singled out by one or two of the residents, they just come and give me a big hug, so as to make myself as inconspicuous as possible I kept at the back of the group no difference they just pushed through the group I had to stop going because I found it to emotionally upsetting.

Neil

I've been reading the posts with interest, so thank you John and Neil.

I hope your A&E visit turns out oaky John but know what you mean exactly.

Anybody else got an opinion on this Autism/Aspergers?

>>>I will just have to stop chasing the birds and drinking the booze!!

I know the feeling John lol

>>>Keep doing what you are doing with Grandson, his Parents sound great and look to the future.  If he is happy as is, there is allways the maxim dont mend what isn't broken!

Nothing broken John, I just have this theory about these sufferers and evolution, right or wrong it's an interesting subject to discuss, and who knows if anybody else will benefit from reading the posts from you guys.

I know what you mean John but I do find it so hard to hold back the tears for these people, my daughter is just the same when she saw a crippled person struggling along with his legs bent sideways at almost 45 degrees and only one arm she just burst out crying for the man.

We do the food run for the Angels of the Night in Malaga and sometimes in winter we see children with very flimsy footwear and people who actually should not be on the streets due to their impaired state of mind but its the only food available, the center feeds about 2500 meals per day.

Sorry to go slightly off topic.    

Agreed John

Will pick up the thread in the morning

When we stop and look around there is always someone who has a greater problem than ourselves, and it only then we find our situation to be not so bad after all, my own problem in life is being dyslexic and I often wonder how my path in life would have evolved had I not been affected with the problem.

But this only a minor detail compared with the problems that some people have to cope with, so each day I thank the big fellow upstairs because I consider myself as one of the lucky ones in life.

The only time I have been in Hospital was to have my tonsils removed when I was quite small, and later on in life when I burst a disc in my back whilst playing Golf

I have had 2 major motoring accidents each time with only minor bruising so I have come through life pretty well unscathed and never had a broken bone.

So whoever dealt my cards may I extend  a great thank you for the 72 years that have been given to me, and please can I have another 30 years at least as there is so much work to finish.