Mac sits at the kitchen table staring out the window, ignoring his school work, existing in another world. Suddenly he turns and looks at me with a smile.
"Mom, my seizure is over."
"What?"
"You know how lots of times I sit and stare into space. That’s a seizure."
"Where did you learn about seizures?"
"From a sign in the lobby of the YMCA while I was there with dad."
Clearly Mac has been reading. Mac reads everything, everywhere, constantly. Even if he has a book with him, he reads every sign in view, every pamphlet within reach. Our conversation continues…
"Mac what did you read at the Y?"
"There was a sign about seizures and what happens and what to do. I read it. I have seizures."
"Mac, you’ve been tested and you don’t have seizures. You simply like to sit and think a lot. That’s okay."
"Yeah, I know. But my seizure is over and I’m fine."
"Yes Mac, you are fine."
"Oh, and mom, you should probably do that H-maneuver (Heimlich) on me. There’s something in my throat and I can’t get it out."
"Mac, I love you." I say with a smile and a mental chuckle.
The conversation ends there as Mac returns to his school work. No argument from me because when Mac believes something, he firmly believes it. After all, the signs in the YMCA lobby are fact, and Mac thrives on fact.
Asperger’s Syndrome does not allow him much flexibility in thinking. (Read that sentence as I would rather eat dirt than try to convince Mac of anything.) While I do pursue issues where his thinking should be altered, mostly I choose to view Mac’s unwillingness to concede any argument as an asset in maneuvering life. (Read that one as I want to save my few remaining brain cells.) His “it’s my way or no way” mentality keeps him from being one to unquestioningly go along with the crowd.
Why did I tell you this story? One reason is to remind you that which is often viewed as a problem or weakness can be just as easily viewed as a strength. But mostly…I want to remind you of The Village People Y.M.C.A. song and have it play relentlessly in your brain.
Come on, click that play button and join me.
Melody can be found writing here at 5MFSN every Tuesday in addition to hosting Special Exposure Wednesday. She also shares her special life and photography at Slurping Life and reviews products and gives away stuff at what i think.
Great post! My oldest, who does not have Asperger’s, is just as staunch in his understanding of things. And there is no convincing him otherwise. I like your approach!
What a great perspective! Peer pressure – not a problem for him!
I’m singing “Y, M, C, A” while making letters with my arms.
Great post.
Just last night we were talking about chicken and turkey and I said that some people eat duck. Michael thought that was the funniest thing ever and still didn’t believe me, even after having his dad come in and confirm it! He is convinced we are just being silly.
I have a friend who’s son has silent seizures.
He will just stare straight out into to space. I saw it once when we were bowling. He was up and just stood there for like 2 minutes, then he shook his head as was fine. Doctor said it was from tramatic birth being caught because his head was too big. Not that I am saying your son has this, just letting you know they are out there. I have a 14 yr son with aspergers. My sons favorite song, even his ring tone, Chris Daughtry’s “Crash”
So many times it seems just better to let them believe things instead of try and prove we are right. You did an amazing job just going on with things, because he had obviously moved on. If only we adults could let things go as easy as children do.
Melody — We had to have Caleb test for seizures. He doesn’t have them either by the test results but sometimes even I wonder?!
God bless,
Sallie
I am getting ready to make a speech in front of a thousand people in order to raise money for special education at my son’s school. I have read so many stories in the past few days as part of my preparation. This one really struck me. This part, “…mostly I choose to view Mac’s unwillingness to concede any argument as an asset in maneuvering life”. AMEN!
How interesting. That is wonderful how you’ve learned to accept his unwillingness to concede. I think I would find that very frustrating.
Thank you so much for sharing!
“One reason is to remind you that which is often viewed as a problem or weakness can be just as easily viewed as a strength.”
I love this! It is sooooo true.
Love each of your thoughts. Thank you for taking time to comment.
Anyone on the table doing Y-M-C-A…besides me and Kristie?
Melody, I’m right there with you and Kristie!
Y..M..C..A! LOL
Great post! And I find myself doing that with my son, Christopher more and more here recently.
Hey, I’ve been doing Y-M-C-A for the last couple of days ! hee-hee!
I loved this post.
My daughter has seizures and they are hardly noticable. She isn’t aware of them though unless I tell her. I was impressed that he knew. I thought he was really having seizures.
I have learned to pick my fights some of them just aren’t worth the drama. Great perspective. I love the way you think.
Thanks for coming over and leaving me a comment. I am happy to have a new blog to add to my list
Oh yes and thank you I’m still singing YMCA. Prolly will all day
Dr. Dobson talks about this in his “The Strong-Willed Child” book. I’m one of those kids myself. And he says the wonderful thing about those traits is that they are the kids who won’t go along with peer pressure and have that first drink or that first smoke or ???
You’re right – it IS a way to make sense of things when you feel you can be surrounded by facts.
Loved the post!
I loved you up until I got that song stuck. Now, not so much. I love Mac though
Let him know I have the same kind of seizures 
I just LUUUUUVVV Mac!
This story is just lovely Melody — from the beautiful way that you love your children, to the beautiful way that you see with your heart. You’re my mommy hero
Ha ha…you can’t make me open that song link you know…I refuse to be drawn into the trap
As for Mac: you are so right when you describe the inflexible thinking. I work myself into a lather sometimes trying to explain something to one of my pupils and she simply will not have it.I have given up but I know that she is going to take an awful ‘fall’ one of these days when she finds out through bitter experience that she was not right. I want to prepare her for this, to save her some pain but is it possible?