I knew a few Fine Arts people when I went to WSU, Steve Tharp sticks out the most. I was in an honors class with him my freshman year, but lost touch even before graduation. I spent most of my "free" time in the library basement. Once, real close to graduation, a couple of One-Wayers stopped and tried to get me interested in their religion (cult?), but I wasn't really open to religion at that time. I haven't run into your sister, that I know of, but we might have sat in the same meeting and not been introduced. Boeing culture is funny that way.

wow I can't believe I have ignored this site for so long. I went to WSU between 1975-1981 plus a little bit of grad school, mostly all in the engineering department. It wouldn't surprise me if we had mutual friends. I do work for Boeing, as what might be considered as an FAA certification specialist. I worked in the NW for seventeen years, but am back in Wichita these days. Sure there are things to miss about the NW, but I love my overgrown acre yard.

Hope all is well with you!

doug lamoureaux

May the gods of contentment continue to smile on their shining one.

Happy Birthday Denita... I hope all is well with you in all things!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DENITA
All the best
Roman

Hi Denita

It’s great that he’s managing to cope without med though please keep an eye on that just in case there arise periods of where real need of certain pharma’s would be the lesser evil in his continuum.

To say he was ‘overwhelmed’ settling in I imagine was a real understatement. But well done, sometimes as a parent you feel like you truly have to be cruel to be kind in the long run.

The additional art class with older students from what you’ve told me will undoubtedly be a great boost to his developmental assimilation let alone his cog-soc progression.

As a mother you’re doing everything you can and so much more. My heart goes out to you and your son.

All the best and hang in there D. And remember; don’t forget to put aside a little bit of regular precious time just for yourself, which will help you keep strong and refreshed.

Your pal from across the pond

Roman

Hi Denita

I hope thinks are OK at your end with your son. How are you doing 'my across the pond pal'?

Kind regards,
Roman

Hi D

Under ‘Source Code Project’ you’ll find my topic ‘Why is the bible God male?’

With the outright question I’d hoped to bring out more personal objective responses, of which there were a few, but alas also the inevitable closed-minded circumvented biblical references as futile explanations. I’m sure you can add some more objective anthropological thoughts on patriarchal societies as well as your usual eloquent personal thoughts on the matter. My initial topic seems to have come to a halt, though interestingly; a few others have since furthered the main theme of the conversation through their own related topics.

- - - - - -

Sorry to hear about your son’s more recent difficult development, which I assume is also complicated by his period through adolescence. I understand it’s not unusual for one’s like him with Asperger's at this time to experience an increased sense of victimization by others along with feelings of social isolation as it combines with his greater capacity for self-awareness, which then often leads to the added development of depression and anxiety in adolescence and into young adulthood.

Repetitive patterns of behaviour, often previously used as compensatory factors, this time may have been triggered to accommodate endless loops of additional depressive thought patterns. These negative patterns need more positive distractional aids to gradually divert him from his more harmful emotively tagged thinking.

Of course I can only speak of Cog-Beh interventions in which I’ve specialised as a psychologist, and where in more difficult cases leads to combined procedures with psychiatrists to also recommend certain types of medication.

I feel for you as a mother, being on such a bumpy ride for this period. Though as adulthood is reached, many older Asperger’s individuals do attempt greater interest in developing friendships, though often still lacking in conventions of social interaction.

“The prognosis [of Asperger’s Disorder] appears significantly better than Autistic Disorder, as follow-up studies suggest that, as adults, many individuals are capable of gainful employment and personal self sufficiency.” (DSM-IV-TR, p.82, (4th ed) 2003, Publ: APA, Washington, DC.)

And yes I agree, a little enjoyable distraction therapy for yourself from time to time sounds good.