A Tale of Two Children

     So this post isn't a nature vs. nurture argument, in case you were wondering.
It's just a  comparison illustrating just how different kids on the spectrum can be.
Tiger is not alone on the spectrum in our family. My brothers son is also ASD and there are lots of differences between them, and some similarities too.

     Why people still generalize is beyond me, it isn't as if the information isn't available its right in the name,  autism SPECTRUM disorder, come on people! Quit asking what her gift is or how SHE can be autistic if she talks.

     But if you need specific cases, here ya go, Skin Man and Tiger Lily two kids on the spectrum.

Tiger  Lily compared to  Skin Man

She has no learning disabilities and is most likely gifted.
He has a mild intellectual delay.

She can speak for herself, hold a conversation and argue a point.
He does scripting

She is light sensitive
He is not

She is sound sensitive to pitches and volume.
He is only bothered by loud noises.

She is hypo sensitive to cold and hyper sensitive to heat.
He prefers to be cold but its not an issue.

She suffers from low muscle tone.
He has no problem moving around.

She eats a wide variety of food all different colours and textures.
He gags on anything soft, no ice cream, pudding or yogurt for him.
Just bland, dry, crunchy with a definite love of carbs.

She will drink, water, juice, milk and smoothies in any container
He will only drink bottled water

She is very clumsy, has gross, fine and motor planning issues, falls every day and drops things.
He never falls,

She loves her jammies and dresses
He is nicknamed skin man, because he strips the moment he enters the house.

She is a flight risk
He is not

She hates stores and shopping.
He asks to go shopping a hundred times a day.

Her big stims are twirling her hair, twisting or splaying her fingers.
He jumps and jumps and jumps

Neither of them are good sleepers, Tiger wakes frequently but generally stays in her bed, while skin man wants to sleep with someone.  They both enjoy rough play and they both think farts are the funniest thing ever.

I guess what I'm trying to say is...




The High Functioning Life, where every piece in the puzzle is a different shape.