We're back. Did you miss us?

We're baaack!!! It's been a long summer, and the fall has kept us busy. Macen is at school. 4th Grade! WOW! He's doing pretty well. C's and B's for the most part! I drove him to school today and we were talking about "stuff" He mentioned that we hadn't blogged in a long time, so I told him I would do a quick update and he could tell his story later on today.
First off: Macen is growing so quickly. This year he has made some very good friends..which is new to him. He has sleepovers almost every weekend. He is more talkative and outgoing than ever before.
Now, what about his asperger's you might be asking? He has been learning how to work with his strengths. He still struggles with some things, but once he gets it he just takes off. It's an amazing thing to see. He is learning to listen to teachers instead of fighting them. (I have to give them a lot of credit, they are an amazing bunch)
His medication seems to be working. His appetite is increasing. He is more active than before. I believe that he finally understands what he has. He's an incredible young man who will go far if he wants.

It's Been a Great Day!!!

What a day! It was so great! First, it's been sunny and warm like it was in St. George. I like sunny and warm. I do not like cold and wet. I get to wear shorts everyday! School has been really good this week. It shocks me to say that, but I have had a fun time. Today, I got a 100% on my math test. It's my first A+ without help. I thought my mom was going to cry when she saw it! It feels pretty good to do well. My mom said it doesn't surprise her because I am the smartest kid she knows....I doubt that because I am not in college yet.

I have made new friends, so I get to play with them instead of blogging. I don't want all of you to get sad, so I will try and blog more.

We launched rockets again this past weekend. My dads rockets had "issues" so we have to go back to the Hobby store. My Uncle John built a really cool silver rocket that on one launch just popped up a little bitty and the whopped into the ground. It was funny. We got it working after that! My Aunt Sara has a HUGE pink rocket that works all the time! (My mom says it's because it has "girl power") Whatever mom!!!

Well, my friends are outside, so I am going out to play before dinner...(she's making me HOTDOGS!!!!) If you have any questions, ask away...I'll get to them soon!

It's Tuesday

Hi. I had a long weekend. On Friday, my mom, my Uncle John, Aunt Sara, and I went on the USS Cole for a family cruise with my dad. I woke up really early. I didn't feel very well but I didn't want to miss the trip. Mom gave me some medicine so I wouldn't get sea sick. I don't think it worked. We drove to the base in Norfolk, then took a bus BACK to Yorktown, to take the cruise BACK to Norfolk, to get in the car to get BACK to Yorktown! I was so tired that I asked my dad if I could take a nap in his bed on the ship....I slept all day! I was still tired when we got home, so on Saturday I just hang out around the house. By Sunday I was feeling a little better, so my mom let me hang out with a few friends in the bounce house. On Monday I got sick again (I won't tell you what happened, but it was NOT fun) I stayed in bed all day on Monday. I felt fine by last night so I went to school today. My stomach is still feeling weird, but I feel so much better.

My mom told me that as she was talking to Grandma Wadley she was asked about the medicine that I am on. I don't know the name so I am going to make my mom tell this part:

Hi everyone. It's mom. Like Macen said, my mom asked me about his medicine so I am going to give you all a little info. He's on CONCERTA. 18mg. He takes it in the morning with his breakfast. (around 7:30) It is not for his Aspergers. It is to help with his ADD. He is not ADHD..he wants me to make sure you all know that. He is NOT hyper-active. He needed help focusing so we are trying this medicine. It seems to be working with very little side effects. It is slow release, and he doesn't have to take it every day. He takes it on school days and on days where I need his full attention. It doesn't have to build in his system. These are all important things to know. Kids with Aspergers are sometimes mis-diagnosed. It has taken many many many doctors to help me with Macen. I did not want to put him on any type of meds for awhile, and Grant really was not pleased about the pills. We have both had our doubts, but this time I think we're okay with what we do. Those of you who are having problems with kids who MIGHT have Asperger's or any other form of Autism don't give up. There is research being done every day. Pills not might be the thing that works for you, but keep trying everything. If any of you have questions, by all means ask. I have many places that you can turn to. Okay, Macen says that I have said too much, so I have to stop now...

Hi it's Macen again. Thanks for reading my blog. I will write more tomorrow but right now I have to do my science homework. (YUCK)

So, I'm 10

What a week! My Birthday was on Saturday. I had a party. We went to see "the Lorax" and then came home to play! I had a lot of fun. I have some very cool friends! My Uncle John and Aunt Sarah came over too. I think my party made them never want kids. My dad was home this year. I love having him home. My mom is sad that I am getting older. I told her not to worry because I will always be her baby, and I will always live with her. (She laughed at that)

I got my interim report card today and my mom is very happy. I got almost all B's which is better than the last one. All my teachers say I am doing better. I guess the medicine is working. It hasn't given me any weird side effects yet. I am still hungry (except for vegetables) I still sleep normal. I have made a lot more friends since I have been on it. I like having more friends.

This morning when my mom and I were talking about this blog I told her that I have lots of things that I want to tell you all. So we made a list. I will talk about each one, one day at a time.

Today we talked about the bus. The bus is very very loud. Noise bothers me. My mom gives me caffeine so the noise doesn't get to me. It doesn't make sense does it? Well, it worked. I have a little can of coke and for some reason the noise on the bus doesn't bother me as much. On the days that I don't have any caffeine, my ears hurt on the bus. Caffeine actually makes me tired sometimes. It is different than what happens to my friends. Some doctors don't think my mom should do it, but my mom says that this time she knows what works and what doesn't. I don't drink coffee, just a small can of coke in the morning. My mom calls it a "shot" of coke. It works for me so I don't mind. If I have a big test in the afternoon my mom will bring me a coke to school. Since I have been on the medicine she hasn't had to do that though.

Well that's it for now. My mom just got me a "Real Steel" app on the iPad, so I am going to go check it out.

Thanks again for reading this. (And thank you mom for helping me type) (awwwww!) If you have any questions leave me a comment.

Don't worry, I'm back

I'm baaack! I have so much to tell you all. I have had such a good time lately. My mom said that all my fans missed me, so I decided to not make you wait any longer.

First..Thank you for the questions. I have read them all. I will try to answer them in the next couple of days.

Grandma Wadley, I read your questions, and they are great. I can't blog my awesome idea for a video game because it's so great someone will take it. I did decide on the name of a movie that I am going to make. It will be called "Lava Death" I sure hope everyone likes that name. It will be so cool.

Uncle Doug, I think it was funny how you called yourself Uncle Duck. It made me laugh.

I have been doing really well in school. Not that I care, but I guess it's important that you all know that. I still think going to school is like being in jail, but mom says if I don't stay in school I could end up in jail and be some big guys bride. I don't know what that means, but it doesn't sound good.

My dad has been home a lot lately and I really like it. We don't argue as much as we use to.

I told my mom today that the only bad thing about my aspergers lately is I have bad dreams, and I remember to many things that I don't like. She wants to have me talk to someone about that. I think I already talk to too many people. It's not a big deal, but my mom worries about me. (I think that's what they have to do)

Well, that's it for right now. My cartoons are on. Have a good night everyone.

It's mom

Sorry we haven't updated in a bit. It's been a crazy few days. Macen will be back on his blog tomorrow afternoon.

I told him that I would do an update on his progress.

He has improved his grades a full grade. He has started making friends. He is actually becoming quite the "social butterfly"

Many people have noticed a difference in him. He is amazing me on a daily basis.

I want to take this time to thank all of you who have taken the time to read his blog and ask him questions and leave comments. He loves it! He will answer those questions as soon as he can.

A side note to our dear friend Ms. Crack (as he has taken to calling her) Your letter to him was amazing. He printed it out and shared it with his aid in school. It made us so happy to know that there is always hope. So, we love you so much!

My Dad ROCKS

I love my dad! My mom says I look just like him. She says I act like him too. He makes things fun. He was gone for a while on his ship. I missed him a lot. He came home early and we surprised my mom. (And BOY was she surprised!) His birthday was on Saturday and we had a great time. My mom said that pretty soon he will retire and I get to have him home all the time! I think that will be fun..because we can build robots together. He will teach me how to box, and how to wrestle. Mom says that's what dads are for. I think they're good for making moms happy too.

When I Grow Up

My Aunt Kim asked me what I want to be when I grow up. That was a great question. I want to be a race car driver. I want to be a Dolphin Doctor, I want to be an inventor. I want to help horses. I want to have a farm to help all the homeless animals. I want to be a teacher. I want to be a dad. I want to be famous. I want to help all the starving children. I want to make the world happy.
My mom says I can be anything I want, as long as I work hard to become it

She says that I have to do good in school. I told her that if I invent something, school won't matter.

The Noise

Okay. I don't like taking the bus to school. I really don't. It's not the kids that bug me. It's the noise that they make. It hurts my ears. My doctor told me that having issues like that are normal for a lot of kids, but kids with asperger's can have a harder time with noise. It's always bugged me. My mom tells me stories of me plugging my ears when I was little. I also don't like when some people sing. I love the show "The Voice" because I like to hear those people sing..but I don't like movies that have people singing. It drives me crazy! I think that it drives my mom crazy that I get so crazy. I have to leave the room. I got my ears tested, and they are fine. My mom just says I have super hero ears. She says that they are super sonic..and I think that's AWESOME!
If you had a super power, what would it be?

It's still all about me

Thanks for all the questions. It makes this blog easier.
My mom's friend Brittney asked what advice I would give Parents. That's an easy one
1) Always tell them you love them. Always. Even when they are being butt heads.
2) Give them time to play video games (or whatever they like to do)
3) Have a date night with your kid.
4) Have a house that is fun to come home to.
5) mom and dad's should learn how to fight without being mean
6) allow your kid to make mistakes sometimes.
7) Don't be embarrassed if your kid has learning problems.
8) Kiss your kid goodnight. Even when they think they are too old for it
9) Buy your kid cool things
10) I think the best thing a parent can do for their child is have lots and lots of patience.

It's about me today!

Yesterday, I asked my friends who read this blog to ask me questions. I got a lot! Thank you. The first question came from Jackie.. She said "I would LOVE to get a Macen's list of favorites Like favorite color, food, thing to do, ect" So here you have it:

• I don't have a favorite color. I like all of them. It depends on my mood.


• My favorite food is Ice Cream Sandwiches! I could eat them all the time. When my dad is home we like to eat Vanilla Ice cream with Chocolate Magic Shell. I eat Pizza EVERY DAY at lunch in school. I love Hamburger Helper or Pork Chops for dinner. I don't like any cooked vegetables. I like them fresh. Carrots are my favorite. I love salad. When we go out to dinner I usually eat mine and my moms! I like Banana Cream pudding. I don't like a lot of candy. I like Chocolate, and cookies and Cream candy bars.


• My favorite thing to do is play video games. I would play them all the time if my mom would let me. I like to swim. I like to go to the beach. I like to go to the park when it's warm.


• I don't have a favorite movie. I like "Reel Steal" a lot. I like to go to movies.


• I like cartoons. I watch them in the morning before school. I watch cartoons on Friday nights if my dad is home. If he's not my mom and I watch movies.

That's it for now. My mom and I have a movie to watch. As soon as she is done typing what I say we are going to have popcorn and "chillax"

Thursday..Happy Groundhog Day

Today was a GREAT day. I did really good in school. I took a test on Rome and I got a 98! My brain was kicking serious butt!
I had friends over last night. My mom got us pizza and we watched Real Steel. We didn't get to see the whole thing because it was a school night so they had to go home before the last fight. My mom said I could have a sleep over so they could see the whole movie!
There isn't a lot to talk about so my mom came up with an idea. Those of you who read my blog can ask me questions and then I can blog the answers. You can ask me anything you want and I will answer you the best way I can.
Thanks again for reading this.

Mom's Wish

The thing about Asperger's that I truly dislike is the emotional roller coaster. A little while ago I tucked my incredibly awesome son in to bed. A few minutes later he was breaking down. He told me that he wishes he had friends. He wants to have fun like other kids. The thing is, he doesn't understand kids his own age. He struggles talking to them. He has a big heart and wants everyone to be happy. He also is very big on rules so he wants everyone to behave. So, all the kids that he likes, he has, in fact, gotten them in trouble at some point during this year.

I know it's hard for other kids to talk to him. He's different. He doesn't understand sarcasm, or teasing. It breaks my heart to see him so lonely, but I can't force other kids to play with him. This damn syndrome is very hard to deal with on nights like this. I want his life to be a little easier. It doesn't have to be simple..just not so tough.

Tuesday

Hi everyone! I went back to school today even though I didn't want too. I took my medicine and I think it helped a little. I did much better taking a quiz. I wasn't very hungry at snack time like I usually am. Lunch was fine..but I love lunch. My school always has pizza so that's what I eat every day. I went to group lunch today which is fun.
I have a bad cold so mom came and got me out of school early. We went to a different doctor who talked funny. He wasn't as cool as Dr. Gerber or Ms. Simmons, but mom said it was okay to see him this time because she wanted to get me feeling better and she didn't want to wait a week. I got very bored at the clinic but mom brought her iPad. She's smart. I played "Real Steal" and everyone kept looking at me. My mom said it was because not many kids have an iPad to play with so I should be grateful. I am. I like that my mom and dad can buy me cool things. Sometimes I wish I had a brother or a sister, but I like having my mom all to myself.
I decided today that everyone wants to know what it's like to Asperger's. I get asked about it all the time. I don't know what to say to them. I usually say it makes me feel like my brain is going crazy. Sometimes it makes me angry, like I want to smash stuff.
Most of the time it makes me feel different.

Real Steel

I love Reel Steal. I REALLY love it! My mom and I watched it a MILLION times this weekend. I think my mom got tired of it, but she didn't get mad. She shakes her head and talks to her friends on Facebook. My favorite robot is Zeus, but really I like them all. My mom likes Atom so when we wrestle I am Zeus and she is Atom. I want to build robots someday. My dad is going to help me. My mom says that first I have to learn how things work, but I told her that I am smart..I'll figure it out as we go. My mom said I needed to blog before I watch the movie again, so, I blogged. Now I'm going to watch the movie.
Okay, this is mom typing now. Here's a little info about Macen and this movie. Macen doesn't watch a movie and move on. If he loves the movie that is ALL we will talk about for a very long time. We went to the theater to see Real Steel and he loved it. Grant bought him a Robot (Noisyboy) action figure. He got some more for Christmas and it has taken over a good portion of his life. That's a big thing with kids who have Asperger's. It's all or nothing, When Macen was little it was Thomas the Train, then Star Wars (it was Star Wars for a very long time) Then we had Bakugan, Beyblade..sheesh..Now it is Real Steel. (I don't mind this so much because I too love the movie) The video is Macen doing the Atom Dance..He has no rhythm, and I laugh at his "white boy" moves, but it shows you how he watches this movie.

Sunday

I have a headache today, so my mom is typing what I say.
Yesterday was okay, but I was very thirsty. All day long. I played with my friend and we had a good time. I think the medicine helped me talk to him about other things instead of always talking about what I like.
Last night I was really tired. My head started to hurt. My mom isn't sure if it's because of the medicine, or because I had a long day.
I didn't want to take the pill today. I will take it tomorrow, even though I don't have any school.
I did get to talk to my dad which was fun. I miss him a lot.
I want to thank everyone who reads this blog. It makes it fun for me to do, even though sometimes it feels like homework.
I don't have much to say today. Have a good Sunday.

What is Asperger's?

(This is Macen's mom. We thought that we should define what Asperger Syndrome is. This is the information that we received, so we reprinted it for you to look over.)


Asperger Syndrome is often considered a high functioning form of autism. People with this syndrome have difficulty interacting socially, repeat behaviors, and often are clumsy. Motor milestones may be delayed.
Hans Asperger labeled this disorder "autistic psychopathy" in 1944. The cause is unknown.
There is a possible link to autism, and genetic factors may play a role. The condition appears to be more common in boys than in girls.
Although people with Asperger syndrome often have difficulty socially, many have above-average intelligence. They may excel in fields such as computer programming and science. There is no delay in their cognitive development, ability to take care of themselves, or curiosity about their environment.

Symptoms

People with Asperger have problems with language in a social setting.
It may be difficult to choose a topic of conversation, their body language may be off, and it may be difficult for them to recognize that the other person has lost interest in the topic.
They may speak in a monotone, and may not respond to other people's comments or emotions.
They may have difficulty understanding sarcasm or humor.

Other symptoms may include:

Problems with eye contact, facial expressions, body postures, or gestures (nonverbal communication)
Singled out by other children as "weird" or "strange"
Difficulty developing relationships with children their own age
Inability to respond emotionally in normal social interactions
Not flexible about routines or rituals
Lack of showing, bringing, or pointing out objects of interest to other people
Do not express pleasure at other people's happiness
Preoccupied with parts of whole objects
Repetitive behaviors, including repetitive behavior that injures themselves
Repetitive finger flapping, twisting, or whole body movements
Unusually intense preoccupation with narrow areas of interest, such as obsession with train schedules, phone books, or collections of objects

It's Saturday. Why am I blogging?

Good Morning. My mom told me that before I could watch TV I needed to blog. Sheesh! She keeps forgetting that it's my vacation. (side note: This is mom typing..he promised last night that he would blog during breakfast, which is what we are doing, so I am NOT being mean)

I didn't take my pill yesterday because I didn't have school. Mom wanted me to but I told her that I have never had problems paying attention to my video games. I have never had a problem with playing video games. Mom said that if school was a video game I would already be in college. I told her that if school was a video game no one would play it.

I took the pill this morning so mom could see how it makes me feel. I will let you know if I act different.

Have a good day today. Enjoy your Saturday.

My Name is Macen

My name is Macen. I have Asperger's syndrome. My mom thinks that writing a blog will help me understand what I have. She's says it might even help others. I don't know. Some days I will blog, some days she will blog. I told her that if she lets me stay home from school, I could blog all the time. She said NO. My mom helps me type, but I am slowly getting better at it. Hopefully in a few months I can do this by myself.
I found out that I had Asperger's when I was 5. It was new back then, so we really didn't know what it meant. Some people thought that I was like "Rain Man" but I wasn't. We tried lots of things back then. Diet, Therapy, sports, but nothing really worked.I was given medicine to help me concentrate, but I didn't like it. It made me feel and act like a Zombie, and I hate zombies. My mom took me off it when I was in 2nd grade. I started to have more fun but I still didn't do well in school.
This year we moved to Yorktown, Virginia. My teacher likes to help me, but I have a hard time staying attention in school. My mom took me to a Doctor and he did a whole bunch of tests and told me what it meant to have Asperger's. It made me feel better to know that alot of kids have it. He also said that I have something called ADD. It just means that I need help to pay attention. We have tried lots of things, but nothing really worked. Yesterday we decided to try some new medication to help me in school. I don't have to take it all the time, just on school days. I took my first pill today. I didn't feel different, and my mom says that's good. I don't know if it helped me because school was still boring.
I don't know what else to say. I want to go play my video games..so bye for now.