Category Archives: adhd

Emotions, Autism and a flat world

I have three boys that reside some where on the Autism Spectrum.  To say that they don’t have emotion is to say that the Earth is flat.

Our 14 year old.  We have been told by therapists that he has no sense of humor.  Humor is an emotion.  It can’t be taught.  Sure his humor is quirky, but it is a means of communication for him.

Our 13 year old has an incredible sense of humor that is dry and witty.  He is quick with a come back.

A rotating animation of the human brain showin...

A rotating animation of the human brain showing the left frontal lobe in red within a semitransparent skull.

Our youngest son, shows emotion that he has learned.  Why do I say this?  He has frontal lobe brain damage.  He knows and shows zero empathy.  It is odd to see him observing the behavior of others, then attempting to model that behavior in situations that he deems appropriate.  Odd isn’t the right word.  It can be down right creepy.  But, and I say a huge BUT… this isn’t because of his Autism diagnosis.  This is a completely different issue to the Autism.

So, is the world flat?  No, I don’t think so.

 

 

 

 

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Autism and sociopath

Major brain structures implicated in autism.

I am in a discussion on another blog about Autism and sociopaths.   Let me state this unequivocally.

It is possible for a child to be a sociopath and have autism.

How do I know?  I don’t have to look any further than my son David.  He has facets of autism.  and he is a sociopath. Sure at 11 they can’t actually diagnose him as a sociopath.  But he has been diagnosed with a conduct disorder, and anti-social behaviors.  Plus, he is on anti-psychotics to control those behaviors.

Sociopath indicators

  1. Manipulative and conning
  2. Grandiose sense of self.
  3. Pathological lying
  4. Lack of remorse, shame or guilt.
  5. Shallow emotions
  6. Callousness/lack of empathy
  7. Need for stimulation
  8. Poor behavior controls/lack of impulse control
  9. Criminal or entrepreneurial personality – changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution.

These are just some of the indicators.  Looking at a full list of indicators is enough to make me ill.  Of those, I list the ones that David exhibits consistently.

the DSM IV

DSM-IV Definition

Antisocial personality disorder is characterized by a lack of regard for the moral or legal standards in the local culture. There is a marked inability to get along with others or abide by societal rules. Individuals with this disorder are sometimes called psychopaths or sociopaths.

Diagnostic Criteria (DSM-IV)

  1. Since the age of fifteen there has been a disregard for and violation of the right’s of others, those right’s considered normal by the local culture, as indicated by at least three of the following:
  1.  Repeated acts that could lead to arrest.
  2. Conning for pleasure or profit, repeated lying, or the use of aliases.
  3. Failure to plan ahead or being impulsive.
  4. Repeated assaults on others.
  5. Reckless when it comes to their or others safety.
  6. Poor work behavior or failure to honor financial obligations.
  7. Rationalizing the pain they inflict on others.
  1. At least eighteen years in age.
  2. Evidence of a Conduct Disorder, with its onset before the age of fifteen.
  3. Symptoms not due to another mental disorder.

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And our doctors have told us that if David was 18, this is the diagnosis that they would give.

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Planning for the return to school

Well, as August rolls on by we plan for the return to school.  Our oldest leaves for college on Saturday.  Our youngest has been placed on a waiting list for a long term care facility.  The other three kids will be registered for the school year tomorrow.  Where did the summer go?

May,   – Graduation
June, – Music Camp
Speech Camp
July, – Vacation – Billings MT
Mission trip – San Fransisco
August, – leave for college
school starts

English: School buses waited for the students ...

In between we had three hospitalizations for David.  Plus numerous medical appointments.  When school starts again maybe I can have a staycation.

 

How did your summer go?  Accomplish anything?

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