To: Kyle200@Yahoo.com
From: Superman 314@Frontiernet.net
Subject: Just saying Hi
Hey big brother, how’s it going? I know it sounds silly to write that because a question like that kinda begs for a more immediate answer. People should realize that the response their looking for probably won’t be along for anther couple of days when their letter finally gets replied to, huh. Sorry, I guess I rambled a little, you know how my mind gets stuck on things sometimes. Anyways, I was diagnosed last week by a child psychiatrist with something called Aspergers. I guess mom and dad have meant t get me tested for something like this for a while now. I think they were scared that if they had me checked out then they would find out something was wrong with me. I feel rough for them.
I started seeing a specialist the other day who I think is supposed to help me make more friends and act more normal. He’s a nice guy who wears these crazy Hawaiian shirts with incredibly detailed print. His shirts could hypnotize you. He kept me in one of the smaller rooms today for 90 minutes today. Hey, did I mention I had cheeseburgers for lunch? Anyways, I’ve only been to two sessions so far, and in both this guy (I forgot his name) was trying t teach me the right way to introduce myself to others and different ways I could start conversations. During the last 20 minutes of our session today, he pretended he was someone my age just hanging out and he wanted me to try and start a conversation with him like the way he taught me to do it. That was kind of fun, but most of the time it’s hard to pay attention because I’m really not all that interested in it. I just sit there and wonder why should I learn talk to other people I really don’t care that much about.
Even though I have crazy Hawaiian shirt guy to help me out, and mom and dad here to watch out for me, I still feel kinda scared bub. Aspergers is an awful big word, and it makes me worry. I miss you a lot.
-Austin
To: Superman 314@Frontiernet.net
From: Kyle200@Yahoo.com
Subject: RE: Just saying Hi
Hey little brother. The answer to your question is "It's going fine.", and you know what, I never really thought to much about why people asked, "How's it going?", in emails. Anyways, I miss you too big guy and wish I wasn’t so far away from you right now. Mom called me and told me about what the doctor said. She also told me that the doctor told her and dad that with the right treatment, people with Aspergers can go on to function relatively normally in most all situations. The important thing is that you try real hard to use he strategies and techniques that the specialist you’re seeing is teaching you. Remember to pay attention in therapy and give this guy a chance. Mom and dad seem to trust him, so I will to. I want you to know that I think about you all the time buddy, you’re my best friend and I want nothing but good things for you. I know how hard it must be for you with me so far away and you feeling so lonely. Me and you always seemed to share a special connection, and I always felt privileged to be the one who was allowed to witness all the amazing features that you have. I hope that with therapy, you can learn to show everyone else what an intelligent, funny, and all around great person you are. I’ll be thinking of you little brother.
-Big Bro
To: Kyle200@Yahoo.com
From: Superman 314@Frontiernet.net
Subject: Thanks
Thanks for the support Kyle, I really needed it. I had anther session with my specialist today and it was good. I guess I don’t know how t tell when I’m supposed to stick around and listen to people when their talking to me or when I should let another person take a turn when I’m talking to them so we worked on noticing different hints when I talking to someone that I might notice which could mean I should listen and let them talk. This session didn’t seem to go as long as the other two. I remembered what you said and decided to really pay attention and work harder in therapy. I do miss you a lot Kyle, but I think I’ll be O.K. Talk to you later (or maybe that’s "type" to you later).
-Autstin
This page was created by William Miller, a communication Disorders major at Marshall University to
fulfill the requirements of his CD 315 class. It was completed on December 4, 2005.