November 4th, 2005
Journal
October 17, 2005
Today I met with Gavin’s teacher, Ms. Connor. We discussed Gavin’s academic progress as well as some of the odd behaviors he exhibited in class. She told me that Gavin was experiencing some of the symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of autism. She suggested that I make an appointment with Gavin’s pediatrician. If Gavin is diagnosed with Asperger’s what changes will our family have to make? Is this disorder hereditary? Will he be able to live a normal life? Will he have to attend a special school? I don’t know, maybe I’ll ask his pediatrician.
October 20, 2005
Today we met with Gavin’s pediatrician, Dr. Jones, he spoke with, my husband, myself and Gavin. Then he just watched Gavin playing with his G.I. Joes and asked Gavin to read for him. Dr. Jones said that Gavin definitely had some of characteristics of Asperger’s, but before he could give a definite diagnosis he would have to observe Gavin for a period of time. He patiently answered all of our questions about Asperger’s and suggested that Gavin be enrolled in speech therapy.
November 4, 2005
Gavin was officially diagnosis with Asperger’s Syndrome. Dr. Jones referred us to the Huntington Speech and Hearing Clinic, where we met Angela, Gavin’s speech therapist. Angela sat down with us and outlined Gavin’s speech therapy session. She said she would be working with Gavin on social interaction skills and maintaining eye contact. She suggested that I keep a journal as a way to release my feelings about Gavin’s disorder. After the session on the way home all Gavin talked about was his speech therapist. Hopefully, she will be able to help Gavin improve and live a normal life.
Frazier34
This piece is in the voice of the client's mother.
Audience:
This piece is written for the client's mother.
Sayback:
This piece is a way for the mother to express her feelings about her son's recent diagnosis of Asberger's syndrome.
Bless:
I like the way you talk about the events that led up to Gavin's diagnosis of Asbergers.
Sayback:
I don't think that the doctor or teacher would imply that Gavin may have autism untill they were 100% positive. You may want to say that they noticed some behavior issues or something along those lines.
MeganLeigh
Voice: This is a journal written by Gavin's mother.
Audience: Gavin's mother. And God. (Just to prove my point; God can be the audience for a multitude of genres, not * only * a prayer. . .) ;)
Sayback: Gavin has been diagnosed with Aspergers, but his mom feels that through therapy Gavin will live a normal life.
Bless: I like the idea of having questions at the end of your first journal entry. And I like the specific questions you chose to ask.
Address: Noooowww, you need to answer all three of your questions. Don't leave your-audience-who-will-be-too-lazy-to-Google-it hanging! Make sure you have enough words, too. I don't know if it has to be 300 hundred words all together, or if each single entry has to be at least 150 words.
Ohhhhh. . . a TEACHER says, "Your child is displaying symptoms of Asperger's?" ??? This is a risky little game, isn't it? ;) For a teacher to throw out a label like "Asperger's"?. I. . . I don't know. I'll ask my parents (who ARE teachers) and get back to you. The teacher could suggest the child be evaluated. . . but to say "symptoms of Asperger's". . . hmmmmm. . .