Anybody else watch America's Next Top Model? I have to admit this is one show I'm addicted to, although I tape it and watch it later so I have the ff option. I'm very interested this year because one of the girls has Asperger's Syndrome (milder form of autism). This really intrigues me with my background as a case manager for dd adults (I have a couple of folks w/ autism on my case load). Incidentally they have seen improvements in people w/ autism on a lc diet. Anyway, this will be very intersting to see because one of the biggest deficit areas for people with Asperger's is social interaction. I want to see her succeed because these types of success stories really touch my heart because of what I do.

That would be awesome to see her win!

My son was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome when he was five. I will definitely watch this season of ANTM. My son was on medication until he was 13 years old. I never liked the way he was on the medicine...drugged, tired, more withdrawn than normal. I read somewhere that the diet can help with children with this disorder. My son has been eating higher protein for three years...since I have been low carbing he has joined me. I limit the grains and sugars. He doesn't like milk so I get in his calcium in other ways. Since he has been eating this way...I see a total difference in the way he interacts with his peers. He is more focused...more socialble. I know that this is something that he will have to deal with for the rest of his life...but he is not on medication. They cycled him on so many...Concerta, Ritalin...and the worse one of all Risperidone. The last one could cause him to have seizures...and I found out it was a antipsychotic. I just didn't feel right having my child on that type of drug. When I read up on the possibility that the diet the child is on helps...I went for it. I am glad that I did...no medication for three years...he is in regular classes...and he is flourishing.
Sorry...went off topic there...but it gives me hope for my Big Guy. He wants to join the Army...work with computers...be a DJ. I support him...and I believe he won't have any problems. I was told when he was 5 that he would probably have to stay with me for the rest of his life and never be able to take care of himself. I know that the doctors were wrong...at 16 he is showing almost none of the symptoms of this disorder...that makes me very happy! His next thing is getting a real girlfriend...just like any teenaged boy.

There is a lot of hope for people diagnosed with Asperger's. Yes, it is a less severe form of Autism, but never listen to what the skeptics say. There are many accomplished people in the world with Asperger's and there is more and more being learned about it every day. One that comes to mind for me is Dr. Temple Grandin, a very accomplished public speaker on the subject of Autism and Asperger's (who actually has Autism, the more servere of the two). Here is a link to her site.

http://www.templegrandin.com/

There are people with Asperger's who have become doctors, public speakers, authors...the list goes on. Many actually have above average I.Q. The biggest challenge is learning social skills and being able to fit into society. You could see this deficit on the show in Heather.

When Heather had her interview in front of the judges they said hello to her. She replied "Hello, pretty ladies, and Tyra". Of course it was not just the words, but the way she said them and body language. Of course when comment was made about her reply, she fell all over herself appologizing.

My son was tested for it a couple years ago and found out he had a mild from of it called Non Verbal LD.
It is a fairly new one (10 years they tell me) and he was diagnosed in grade 7 because he was "drowning" socially and in school. As parents we always knew something was wrong but until the signs were really there, we couldnt do anything about it.
We got him a pysch council at 1100 bucks and it showed that he did indeed have it. (thanks for insurance) Until that piece of paper showed up at the school, the help just wasn't there for him.
I don't watch the show but it would be interesting to see how she reacts to all the pressure. I know my son doesn't do too well in social settings unless he is only with a couple of good friends but I would be interested to know if this girl has any special tricks she does dealing with it all.
In case anyone is interested:

Once the school found out the first thing that went was a second language(french is a have to have here in Canada) and 30% of ciriculum which still gives him a highschool diploma.
Most of his classes are geared towards the shop, auto trades which he has no problem with since it is physical and has a somewhat routine.
Smalller classes and teachers with experience were also put in place as well as teacher monitoring him through the day. (he doesn't know it but they are looking out for him) Kids with this tend to do things with other kids to get them to like them including allowing bullying...........we have had dealing with that but my son knows that I will not let it happen again and will call the cops if I have to........