Marshall's Asperger's does make him different from others. Most people don't notice his issues with making friends and interacting appropriately with others. At first glance, he seems very outgoing, cute and funny. We have been working with him on his approach to meeting people and learning to ask questions and interacting as opposed to bombarding his acquaintance with stories about his teeth or the latest thing he has learned. We'll keep working on this one.
I do admit that in some ways Woodland Hall Academy has us spoiled. The boys are graded on their encouragement of others. Around our house you hear comments like, "That was a nice try" or "Way to go" and the comments come from the boys....not just the parents. Wouldn't our world be a better place if we all encouraged one another?
My response in this situation was simply that the boys needed to pray for the kids who were calling Marshall names and be thankful they have parents who are trying to teach them better. Then the floodgates opened and out came more stories and questions I wasn't quite ready to answer.
Marshall told me about a boy who was "waving his finger in a circle by my head". I just told Marshall it wasn't nice and not to do it. Guess what he did to the boy who did it to him the very next day at Cub Scouts? Marshall tried out the crazy sign. I called him down immediately and reminded him of how upset he was when the boy did the same thing to him. He scooted back to his seat and hasn't tried it since.
Marshall also waved his middle finger at me and asked me if I knew what that meant. I told him I did and asked him if he knew what it meant. He said the boy that taught it to him the night before said it was a bad sign. I agreed and told him all he needed to know at this point in time is that he shouldn't be doing this.
Gee! Being a Mom is definitely interesting and I remember what it was like to be called awful names, but I will say that it brings to mind sayings like, "Smooth sailing doesn't make a skillful sailor" which brings me some comfort. So, whatever reason Marshall is supposed to experience such meanness I just hope I can help him through it if only just to listen and be a safe place where the boys can share their experiences.
