E-Book Express  <--- click on that to find lots of wonderful E-Books...this is great because I know I am not the only mother in the world with a boy who has Asperger's

Currently his issues are tactile defensiveness, particularly when it comes to the various textures of PAPER, paper towels, and yes, even paper in BOOKS...so this is why E-Books are so wonderful. I just found this link in my email from The Old Schoolhouse, so thanks guys!!

It used to be that glossy pages in books would suffice to deal with this issue, but now that's a problem too.  Also several months ago, he began this obsessive compulsion with needing his bedsheets changed if anyone (besides me, lol) so much as TOUCHED his bed, even while in passing. It is not uncommon when friends come over, to hear Jacob say, "would you please make sure that you don't touch my bed?"  Hey, at least he says "please" lol...the friends, thank goodness, are very understanding, but you'll still find me, from time to time, putting his favorite blanket in the wash at 10:30 at night (or even later God forbid), because "[someone] touched it". 

People who have not walked a mile in my shoes cannot relate to or understand the anguish a child such as Jacob experiences over these kinds of things that they obsess about. It's less discomfort or aggravation for me to simply wash the blanket than to fight him on this issue and tell him to "deal with it"...I know my child, he would lose sleep all night over this issue.  If you have never dealt with a child with this problem, you may sit in judgement, but you'll never have a true understanding of what it is to empathize with your child who you know is obsessing and losing sleep over something that would be of no consequence to the "rest" of "us". 

My friend Diane and I have had many conversations regarding the ignorant people we have encountered (relatives included!) through our trevails with our Asperger-y boys. We had dinner at their house two Fridays ago...she is considering homeschooling her son this year.  He has been in school the past two years but she thinks perhaps this year they may return to homeschooling. I say GO FOR IT HONEY haha...

My oldest is going to highschool this year, he is so excited. I spent about $500 at JC Penney's two weeks ago (they were having a great sale, and I had coupons to boot)  and also got him set with all his school supplies too because Rite Aid was having a wonderful sale. So, needless to say, I won't be among those clamoring at the last minute to get their child ready for school. My children are the center of my world and I wouldn't have it any other way :)