Eve Penelope Schofield [ #genesgeeksandtheevolutionofaspergersyndrome] on #betterfutures

Two Tuesdays ago [9 July 2019] I read a book called Geeks, genes and the evolution of Asperger syndrome [2018: University of New Mexico Press].

Geeks and genes is an evolutionary developmental non-fiction work written by Dean Falk, Hale G Smith Professor at the Florida State University, and a senior scholar at the School for Advanced Research in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Eve Penelope Schofield who is a Bachelor of Arts in creative writing and publishing at the Bath Spa University in Bath, England.

Eve spent the years between 4 and 15 [1995-2006] in the USA and she spent her 16th and 17th years at a school where lots of Aspies go.

On pages 155-58 of Geeks, genes and the evolution of Asperger Syndrome, Schofield says

[...]I had a good and fun childhood with only a few things that needed improving, but I have some specific suggestions[...]

These suggestions include

• controlled interactions in inclusion and mainstreaming programmes [155] {Eve attended 3 mainstream schools}
• if the first bullet point cannot be done; specific schooling can be done
• find a school which has a foreign language or cultures programme - Eve studied French and Spanish in her middle school and Japanese on her own through her passion for anime
• encourage use of interests
• figure out what you want to do by middle school
• sporting activities - Eve does tae kwon do [156-7]
• don't handle the emotional development by yourself

On page 158, Schofield says:

"Gran [Dean Falk] asked me to make a list of what parents of children with Asperger syndrome need to know, or do, to help their children have a good future. This is what I wrote":

1. Aspies may not always understand what is being talked about around them.
2. They may sometimes dominate conversations.
3. They may have specific coping strategies or habits which seem disconcerting or strange to others. Let them do these things.
4. Some tastes or textures in food will cause Aspies to say they strongly dislike them.
5. Some hypersensitivity may remain from when they were younger.
6. By the time they are teenagers, some Aspies may have come out of their shell a little socially, but that doesn't mean they are ready for serious relationships with the opposite sex.
7. There may still be problems with temper control.
8. Be gentle about shifting them out of a high-concentration state of mind. They might not take being interrupted well.
9. Be careful with your language. Aspies might take what you say seriously.
10. Try to limit teasing. Because even if affectionate; they may not like it.
11. Try to encourage their scientific interests.
12. Try to forewarn them against severe changes in routine.
13. Try to give Aspies their own space.
14. Try to involve them in the real world instead of letting them languish in their minds.
15. Push them to learn some life skills so that they can become independent.
16. Give Aspies as much love as possible.

The videos on this blog in order: Father and Son by Yusuf Islam; Cat's in the Cradle; The Living Years by Mike and the Mechanics; It's my life by Bon Jovi in Bucharest.