Sometimes an artist just has to be an advocate

I have a non-profit organization to promote fine arts in at-risk youth with Asperger's, Tourette's, OCD, Anxiety, etc

But the past few weeks I have been in Mommy Protection Mode from an incident that happened at my son's middle school

I'm sure some of you are aware of the Federal Lawsuit that has been filed stemming from the amazingly horrible actions of a Kindergarten Teacher in Port St. Lucie, FL. A five year old with Asperger's was voted out of his class in a survivor-style vote and the teacher made each child in the class tell this poor five year old boy what they didn't like about him.

I never cease to be amazed by the actions of adults toward those with Autism/Asperger's. It stems from ignorance - if people would just take time to understand those with differences they would see there is no reason to 'cure' or 'fix' them. We are all just individuals who want to be understood.

My son also has Asperger's and can make wrong choices and have difficulty communicating, but it is usually his BEHAVIOR that COMMUNICATES for him when he is unable to do so verbally.
He was in trouble and one of the school principals questioned him, had him write a statement, sign forms that he was placed on an emergency expulsion and then allowed the Sheriff to question him before we were even called!

It saddens me that young people have no rights - a school and law enforcement officers may question minors without parents present or aware. There are NO Federal or state laws preventing this. What deeply saddens me is that school districts wouldn't have a policy against this. To me as a parent it is common decency - a no-brainer - that a parent would be called at least simultaneously as the law enforcement being called. Yet in our case we were phoned over an hour after the call to law enforcement.

So now we as parents must teach our young children to say, I don't want to answer any questions without my attorney present - apparently that is the only LEGAL standing to protect our children.

These Aspie's and their Art are Never Far Apart

I figured out early on that my children suffer from extreme anxiety in addition to the Autism Spectrum Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Tourette's Syndrome.

Art has been one activity that has been helpful in reducing our anxieties. We often head to our local zoo to draw the animals. Being in nature, in the presence of animals and using art in these natural settings has been a blessing.

The term "syndrome" refers to the association of several clinically recognizable signs or symptoms, hence those with Autism Spectrum Disorders may have multiple associated disorders. My son has Asperger's Syndrome and some mild OCD and I myself have Asperger's and some mild OCD and Tourette's symptoms.

I've been thinking about the various symptoms that my son and I have experienced in trying to put together a presentation so I may speak at schools to share information with teachers and other parents/PTA.


Both my children and I are very clumsy. I have often noticed a strange gait when my son is running and he can be clumsy. During my early growing up years, I felt awkward and like I never fit in-very uncomfortable in my skin. My mother assumed I was rushing when I had difficulty with writing. My daughter has poor penmanship and has never been able to learn to ride a bicycle. All three of us have difficulty falling asleep; I wake up frequently during the night and my son wakes with the chickens!


In creating diagnostic criteria, Dr. Hans Asperger noted, "Children with AS may be delayed in acquiring skills requiring motor dexterity, such as riding a bicycle or opening a jar, and may seem to move awkwardly or feel "uncomfortable in their own skin". They may be poorly coordinated, or have an odd or bouncy gait or posture or poor handwriting. Children with AS are more likely to have sleep problems, including difficulty in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings, and early morning awakenings.


As I have shared my insights with my sons's teachers they have truly appreciated the assistance it has provided them in teaching him. I hope my art and books will support my non-profit so I may work with other youth and speak in public about autism/aspergers.



“Not everything that steps out of line, and thus ‘abnormal’, must necessarily be ‘inferior’.” ~ Hans Asperger (1938)

If I could explain to you how I feel about people it is this: we are all just HUMAN, no condition defines who we are–we are all different shades of ordinary. My hope is that others will learn to embrace those with differences and be more accepting. I will continue to share the story of my experiences with Asperger Syndrome.

I am Aspie-Mom

Being an aspie-mom has many meanings to me: (1) I am mother to a son with Asperger Syndrome, (2) Since my son's diagonsis I now understand my confusion at life growing up...I'm almost 100% sure I too have Asperger Syndrome and (3) What I have learned about Asperger Syndrome and Autism I can now use to help others.



Art has always been my saving grace, when young, confused and scared I drew, painted, sewed, played music or participated in drama. Both of my children have benefited from drama and art - it has calmed them when they are stressed or anxious.



My book, Why Don't They Come With Instructions?, which will be published this next August (2010) is about raising two children who have Aspergers, learning disabilities, OCD and Tourette's and how we created a non-profit to help similar youth.


If you'd like to read a chapter from my upcoming book you will find it at http://www.jbeaverbooks.com/
or more information about the non-profit THE LAVENDER DOOR FOUNDATION at http://www.lavenderdoorfoundation.org/

Thanks for stopping by...stay tuned for more about my fiber art, painting, quilting projects that are adorned with beads and fiber art or my upcoming books.