One of the things that has been repeated over and over to us is that ASD kids don’t “get” emotions. Even our B/D doc keeps telling us that Sophie should be disinterested in our feelings, but we’ve always found that to be untrue. She is very much aware of our feeling and picks up on our moods quickly. She’s particularly quick to read the mood of a room and she’s even quicker to understand the dynamics of a group of people.
All day today Sophie has driven us crazy with her camera, so tonight Jim turned the tables on her and gave her the paparazzi treatment. That quickly morphed into the stereotypical photoshoot with Jim directing Sophie to “show me happy, show me sad”. Sophie has a very expressive face so when she’s demonstating an emotion she really goes for it.
this is SAD
This is APATHY (although the direction Jim gave her was “don’t care”).
I like the difference between SAD and SORROW. I think that indicates an understanding of emotions… maybe it’s just me. She did do HAPPY and SILLY, but those weren’t nearly as powerful…
OK…well SILLY was pretty good, but she closed her eyes with the flash… it’s still pretty silly though.
Hilary said,
March 6, 2008 at 1:20 am
Forgive me for not keeping up….I’d go back and read everything to get my answer, but with four little ones running around I’d never get through it! Does Sophie have an Asperger’s diagnosis? My oldest does, and if I can help let me know! I’m by no means an expert, I’m a newbie, but let me know
tapsalteerie said,
March 6, 2008 at 2:40 am
Hilary,
Sophie’s been diagnosed PDD-NOS, but the doc only did that because nothing else fit, and even he said that he was uncertain about a proper diagnosis for her. She does have a Language Development Disorder and ADHD, but we’re overcoming the LDD (at long last) although her speech is still in spurts and while she still relies heavily on canned or quote dialog, she is coming up with more and more original thought.
Thanks for the offer of help! We are new to the whole world of Spectrum Disorders too… so much so I’m still trying to figure out how to get things paid for!! Our insurance company absolutely hates me I think!