My oldest has what’s known as Asperger’s Syndrome. (A high functioning form of Autism I’ve nicknamed Geeks Disease.)
His isn’t bad. He doesn’t have too many obvious signs other then a slight incomprehension on the behavior and motives of regular kids. Occasionally he’ll develop a tick. But in place of the high intellect and accompanying ego he was cursed/blessed with his emotions on the surface of his skin, High Anxiety and depression.
He DOES, however, have the classic Asperger’s trait of imparting, dumping, sharing vast amounts of information on anyone he encounters.
When he was little this was annoying because he was learning new things every day and he felt the need to “share” them with me. CONSTANTLY! So I taught him very quickly that its’ polite to ASK a friend if they want to hear what you have to say. Happy to grasp any tool I gave him, he immediately began almost every sentence with , “Mom, can I tell you all *insert current obsession topic* (i.e…. of the spells I know from Harry Potter?)”
To which I would reply, “No, thank you.”
Initially this would screech him to a halt but only for about a minute to which he’s say, “Well, I’ll tell you anyway.”
But I’d stand my ground and remind him of the rules of good manners. So after a while when he’d ask and I’d say, “No” I’d have to watch his compulsive need to share do battle with the rules I’d laid out for him. Which was kind of amusing.
Yes, I’m evil. (I did finally come up with a way to turn it into writing practice. I told him to create a little notebook of it. He did.. with descriptions and drawings and he eventually got it all out of his system.)
Now that he’s 13 the compulsion to share with me is still there but he brings it up as “an idea” he had.
Luke: Mom, I think I’m going to compare the Harry Potter books with the movies and see how they’re different.
Me: Excellent idea for extra credit in English class, Luke! Are you going to read the books first then watch the movies?
Luke: There are some great lines in the movie… for instance…
Me: Stop. If you’re going to quote things to me, I’d rather not hear them. And remember lines won’t be exact between the book and the movie.. you should compare scenes.
Luke: [walking out the door, he says quietly] For instance in Chamber of Secrets at the end….
I just roll my eyes at him as he walks back to his room but can only blame myself. I know where he gets that need to share AND compulsion to complete that sharing!
Oh, yes.. the Queen of Can’t-Shut-Up-Land who’s so compulsive she has to POST her own shit on the internet!