Aspergers Syndrome: Making People A Little Quirky

June 17, 2015 By: Debbie17 Comments

People With Aspergers Syndrome

Certainly have their quirks!

And my son (who has Aspergers) has plenty. They are what make him, him. Some of them I can understand and others I really can’t get my head around.

Like now, it is summer and it is unarguably hot. At the moment the outside thermometer, which is sat in the shade, is reading a balmy 30C. It is mid afternoon, so it won’t get much hotter than that today, and he has only just taken his fleece lined hoodie off.

At The Moment…

He is still having to go into school for exams. So he gets up in the morning, follows his routine to the tee and still lacing up his big heavy, Hi-Tec boots and putting on his hoodie, before heading out the door to catch the bus. At seven o’clock this morning, the outside thermometer is reading around 22C – not a temperature that could be described as even remotely chilli.

I have pointed out the fact that maybe he could do without wearing his hoodie now it’s going into summer, but he won’t hear of it. Leaving the house without his hoodie on would be breaking his routine, which would leave him unsettled, so I never force the issue.

Routine is important to people with #Aspergers #Autism

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He Is Certainly…

The only person in the school (and probably on the island) to be still wearing their winter gear (in the winter, when its really chilli, I talk him into wearing a body warmer too, so I should feel thankful that at least he isn’t insisting on putting that one on still!).

It really doesn’t worry him that he stands out being dressed for winter in the middle of summer. In fact he never worries about standing out from the crowd, or he seems oblivious to it, which I put down to him having Aspergers Syndrome.

As His Mum…

I have to respect his quirky ways, whilst at the same time trying to talk him round to changing some of his ways. It can be hard, as everything he does is what he has learned as he is unable to think out of his box. I am sure that anyone who has close dealings with a person with Aspergers syndrome will know what I mean.

If I were to hide his hoodie, it really would bother him ( he would end up missing the bus which would upset him even more). I am sure he would still be wearing it if he were heading out the door for school and the thermometer was reading 40C… Why?… Simply because putting on his boots and hoodie are part of his school morning routine and to break that routine is unthinkable to him.

Having A Sensory Disorder…

(Which often goes hand in hand with Aspergers Syndrome).

Doesn’t help. As he never seems to feel hot or cold. So he never has a natural cue to take his jacket off (until he gets home again). As that is part of his arriving home routine, along with having his two TicTacs.

Greg’s happily posed for this picture and is fully aware why I wanted to take it. No bribery took place as that only works on his sister!

Tagged In...

Aspergers Syndrome • autistic spectrum disorder • sensory disorder • special needs • summer

About Debbie

Hello, I’m Debbie (also known as ChirpyDebs) and thank you for stopping by my little corner of the internet. Now the children are all grown up I’m happiest when I’m out with the dogs or hiking a trail with my camera in hand. My blog is where I like to share photographs showing the wild beauty of Zakynthos that most people don’t get to see, recipes and other seemingly random things that come to mind.

Comments

13

ChristiNe says

July 8, 2015 at 10:38 pm

Hi Debbie, I'm not sure if you can get Channel 4 or not but there's a programme called ' The Autistic Gardener' showing in the UK at the moment. I hope you don't mind but I thought of you and this post about Greg's while watching it. It's worth a watch if you can! ChristiNe recently posted...Family days out in July 2015

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- 14
  
  Debbie says
  
  February 5, 2016 at 11:20 am
  
  Hi Christine, I've never heard of that program and of course I don't mind you thinking of us, in fact I think it's quite nice. I have never heard of 'The Autistic Gardener' before,but will try and check it out. Thanks for stopping by and thinking of us. xx Debbie recently posted...Man Made Tunnels
  
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15

Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says

July 2, 2015 at 12:06 am

Aww, I love this. I think I shared with you before that I've worked with a number of children with Asperger's Syndrome. It's so important to be flexible and allow them to do the things they need to do... whether that means always wearing the same shirt, sitting in the same chair, or following a particular routine. Thanks for sharing Debbie! xoxo Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom recently posted...How to Build a Trusting Relationship with Your Child

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- 16
  
  Debbie says
  
  February 5, 2016 at 11:18 am
  
  Hi Jen, forcing Greg's to go against what he feels or knows is just looking for a meltdown. Routine is comforting to him and if that means wearing a hoody when it's hot then so be it. Thanks for commenting. xx Debbie recently posted...5 Reasons Why You Should Holiday In Zakynthos
  
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17

Rabia @TheLiebers says

July 1, 2015 at 11:49 pm

It's great that you have such insight into him. I remember when my youngest was four and we switched from winter clothes to summer clothes. Putting on shorts was an ordeal because his "knees would get cold!!!' Rabia @TheLiebers recently posted...Going Through The Emotions

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- 18
  
  Debbie says
  
  February 5, 2016 at 11:15 am
  
  Hi Rabia, I can see where your youngest is coming from though. I wouldn't want chilly knees either, but saying that I've probably got more chub than your youngest. Thanks for popping by. xx Debbie recently posted...Roasted Red Pepper And Fresh Tomato Soup Recipe
  
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19

The Reading Residence says

July 1, 2015 at 8:51 pm

Oh, I'm baking here and I am not wearing a hoodie, just thinking about it makes me feel even hotter. I think it's great that you respect and love his quirks, though I see the challenge of balancing accepting them and how important it is for him, and looking after his health and well being, too. xx The Reading Residence recently posted...Stationery Swap Time!

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- 20
  
  Debbie says
  
  February 5, 2016 at 11:13 am
  
  Hi Jocelyn, it's a struggle for sure. One day I hope that he will learn how to adapt better, but until then... Thank you for stopping by. xx Debbie recently posted...Roasted Red Pepper And Fresh Tomato Soup Recipe
  
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21

Jen@JENerallyInformed says

June 21, 2015 at 4:05 am

I am so glad you share what life is like for someone with Aspergers. I have learned so much from your posts. I think that everyone craves routine and that is what helps us so all get through a day, week or a month! So a quick question, has he ever suffered from heat stroke or some other weather related issue? I would worry with the clothing choices that might happen. Here in our sunny, overly hot desert it would be a major concern and perhaps on your island? Jen@JENerallyInformed recently posted...The Truth About Teen Bed Times

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- 22
  
  Debbie says
  
  June 28, 2015 at 8:50 pm
  
  Hi Jen, I do agree about craving routine. I know that I find it hard to function without it, but for Greg's it's a different kind of need. It's a must. Certain routines dictate to him certain things and not doing them is unthinkable to him. I can't say that he has suffered with heatstroke. Luckily in July and August when the temperatures are high here, he doesn't have school, so is happy to wear shorts and tee shirts. If he insisted on dressing for winter in the main part of summer then I would be concerned and would have had to step in and cause upset; for his own sake. Now he's finished school his winter stuff (apart from his boots) is safely away in the wardrobe. I'm glad that you find my posts enlightening, thank you for reading them. I think that Aspergers is a disorder (like many disorders) that unless you experience it first hand, is difficult to understand. I would also like to think that my posts help people who may have recently been diagnosed or know someone who has been diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, as it has a diverse range of symptoms and it's nice to be able to relate to someone else's story. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and sorry it's been a while. xx Debbie recently posted...People With Aspergers Syndrome…
  
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23

Tamara says

June 18, 2015 at 5:47 pm

Routines can be so interesting. My son doesn't have Aspberger's but he's a toddler, so is very particular about what he wears on every given day, because he's learning independence. I think it's quirky that he'll want to wear t-shirts in the winter, and sweaters in the summer. I suppose there's really a comfort in it. Tamara recently posted...An Awfully Big & Unscripted Adventure.

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- 24
  
  Debbie says
  
  June 28, 2015 at 7:24 pm
  
  Hi Tamara, routine is important to all youngster, I think it helps them learn. Even before we knew that Greg's had Aspergers I encouraged routine, but the problem is he finds it unthinkable to deviate from a routine. Now he has finished school he is happy not wearing jeans and hoodies, although his heavy boots are still a must! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. xx Debbie recently posted...People With Aspergers Syndrome…
  
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25

Louisa says

June 18, 2015 at 4:25 pm

My OJ is very similar with clothing. In fact he wears 2 layers of clothing at all times (even 2 pairs of socks at once). He is most comfortable that way. He also doesn't like bedsheets on his bed, he'd much rather have a bare mattress and no covers on his duvet. I think he gains comfort from how certain things feel against his skin. x Louisa recently posted...Bunnies, blue jeans and birthday requests #littleloves

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- 26
  
  Debbie says
  
  June 28, 2015 at 5:42 pm
  
  Hi Louisa, we've never had a problem with Greg's refusing to wear things because of how they feel, he seems what he wears seems to be more driven by routine. Although he is a stroker and will stroke things he likes the feel of, something I am glad to say, he doesn't do as often as he used to. I am sure that is a comfort thing. Luckily Greg's is happy with just the one pair of socks as they can take forever to put on! Thank you for stopping by. xx Debbie recently posted...People With Aspergers Syndrome…
  
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27

Natalie Ray says

June 18, 2015 at 2:30 am

Bless him, it really sounds like routine keeps him happy. He is so lucky to have a mum that understands how important it is to him. I know that a lot of people would fight this sort of routine and end up causing upset. I hope his exams are going well. And on a side note, good for him for not minding looking different, I wish we were all a little more like that sometimes.x Natalie Ray recently posted...Inspirational Parents #3

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- 28
  
  Debbie says
  
  June 28, 2015 at 5:33 pm
  
  Hi Natalie, thank you. Insisting that Greg's changes the way he does things would upset him considerably and to honest I'm not sure he could do it, but I do live in hope that one day the penny will drop and he will change some (not all) of the things he does, if only to make his own life easier. I love people that have the courage to be a little different and have always encouraged my children not to be afraid to be who they really are, but saying that there is a definite difference between being who you are and doing things because it's what you do when.... As for his exams, he has now officially finished school and tomorrow we must go to the school to get his very last school report. Then what? At this moment in time we have no idea and it's more than a little scary! Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. xx Debbie recently posted...People With Aspergers Syndrome…
  
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29

Harriet says

June 17, 2015 at 9:52 pm

Hi This may be a stupid idea, I have no experienceof this, but would he accept a "summer version"? A similar outfit but llightweight. It would still be one that he always wears, just for only ovaryof the year?

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