We are two of a kind, Jordan and I. As a matter of fact, if you were to see us in passing, you would probably think that we are the typical mother/child pair. That, however, is far from true. I am typical, neurotypical (NT), that is. My Jordan is not. He is diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) which means he is on the autism spectrum.
Autism affects the lives of a significant number of people, and the numbers are growing. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), one of every 88 children in the United States currently has autism. Persons with autism display deficits in social interaction and communication and have restricted, repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities.
Some would say autism is autism; there is no difference from one diagnosis to the other. However, there are others-like myself-who prefer the distinction. Simply put, the difference between an autism diagnosis and a diagnosis of AS is that a person with AS does not display significant deficits in communication.
Asperger’s Syndrome came crashing into our lives February 14, 2008, coincidentally, seven years to the day from Jordan’s birth. My son was the same as he had always been, but I would never be the same from the moment we sat down with the psychologist.
Even as I am writing, my world is shifting. AS has brought with it a myriad of emotions and a mountain of tasks for both myself and Jordan, but he is worth every tear, every smile, every argument, every agreeable moment, every “I love you!”
The words funniest couple was once used to describe us. We may be a couple, and we may be funny, but our journey is not easy. As I try to navigate through this thing called Asperger’s, I always try to remember that it is just a diagnosis and does not define my child. Over the years, I have learned at least three things that get us through the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful.
Jordan and I are a mother/child couple like no other. We have our own special rhythm and ways of communicating with one another. Many would refer to one-half of a couple as their better half. Jordan is not my better half; however, he is the half that makes me better. He makes me a better mother, a better teacher, and most importantly, a better person. Yes, Jordan has Asperger’s Syndrome, but AS does not have him.
Written by Parthenia Fields