That was the question our youngest son, Kohai*, asked the other night while completing a form for a class he would like to take next year in the eighth grade. The Hubs and I were profoundly proud and sad at the same time. Why? Kohai is autistic.
Kohai was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at the age of eight and falls under the high-functioning scale of the autism spectrum. He prefers to use the term autistic because he thinks Asperger sounds too weird.
The reason Kohai wanted to know how to spell autism was because he had to list his strengths and weaknesses. It's quite obvious that autism is a weakness for him. It makes things like math, reading, writing and some social skills difficult for him.
I also think there are some aspects of his autism that are strengths for him. He has such an inquisitive nature that runs the gamut from the mundane to the complex. A perception that is utterly unique for a 13 year old. I can't tell you the number of times this kid amazes me with his outlook on the world through the eyes of autism. He has an honesty that is refreshing and sometimes a little daunting, but he is truly without guile.
I believe though that his greatest strength is he knows what its like and how it feels to be different. I think that's a special insight that not everyone has. He has an understanding and a kindness about him that he may have trouble verbalizing, but you see it in his eyes and actions.
*For the sake of my sons' anonymity, I refer to them in this blog as Senpai and Kohai. This is a Japanese mentoring system where the senior takes the junior under their wing, or in this case, big brother advising little brother. I thought that it was appropriate.
