Archive for December, 2009

Greetings to all! I do hope that the holidays are being kind to everyone. God has greatly blessed me in that my family is healthy, we had plenty to eat, and we were able to share a few gifts among ourselves. Nothing elaborate mind you but we had a wonderful Christmas. Darcie viewed her first Christmas without much excitement as if it were just another day which is what I expected from a six month old baby.

I regret that I have been lax over the last nine weeks or so in regards to posting on the blog. I was involved in Biblical studies that took up every spare waking moment and, I believe, more than a few hours of what should have been not to be spared sleeping moments. God allowed it for the time but has impressed upon me that now I know how classes are conducted that I am to plan ahead to take care of the blog as well. This post will be different in that I will begin explaining one of the “disabilities” that affect the population and provide additional resources for further reading and education.

Asperger Syndrome is a neurological disorder named after a Viennese physician, Hans Asperger, who in 1944 published a paper describing a pattern of behaviors in several young boys who had normal intelligence and language development but exhibited marked deficiencies in social and communication abilities. It is noted that these deficiencies were autistic like in nature. However, it was not until 1994 that Asperger Syndrome was added into the medical world by being included in the DSM IV with diagnostic criteria.

Asperger Syndrome is a diagnosis that falls into the Autistic Spectrum of disorders. Individuals with AS have a normal IQ or greater and many exhibit exceptional skill or talent in very focused or specific areas. Vocabularies may be extraordinarily rich. However, persons with AS may be brutally honest or blunt and have difficulty using their advanced language skills in a socially acceptable manner. Some researchers think that Asperger Syndrome is merely a highly advanced state of autism known as High Functioning Autism (HFA).  As a nurse and the father of a HFA child, I do not agree with this thinking. AS individuals usually have too great a command of language even though they may use their language skills in a manner that is socially unacceptable. The Diagnostic Criteria for Asperger Syndrome according to DSM IV is as follows:

A) Qualitative impairment in social interaction, as manifested by at least two of the following:

1) marked impairments in the use of multiple nonverbal behaviors such as eye to eye gaze, facial expression, body postures, and gestures to regulate social interaction.

2) failure to develop peer relationships appropriate to developmental level.

3) a lack of spontaneous seeking to share enjoyment, interests, or achievements with other people.

4) a lack of social or emotional reciprocity

B) Restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities as manifested by at least one of the following:

1) encompassing preoccupation with one or more stereotyped and restricted patterns of interest that is abnormal either in intensity or focus.

2) apparently inflexible adherence to specific, nonfunctional routines or rituals.

3) stereotyped and repetitive motor mannerisms

4) persistent preoccupation with parts of objects

C) The disturbances causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

D) There is no clinically significant general delay in language

E) There is no clinically significant delay in cognitive development or in the development of age appropriate self help skills, adaptive behavior (other than social interaction), and curiosity about the environment in childhood.

F) Criteria are not met for another specific Pervasive Developmental Disorder or Schizophrenia

A few people with AS have been very successful but until recently were not diagnosed with anything. These people were viewed as brilliant, eccentric, absent minded, socially inept, and physically awkward. Albert Einstein is believed to have had Asperger Syndrome as well as Isaac Newton and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Notables diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome include Nobel Prize winning economist Vernon Smith, industrial rocker Gary Numan, Vines frontman Craig Nichols, and Satoshi Tajiri who created Pokemon.

On the common front, many people with Asperger Syndrome demonstrate gaze avoidance or eye to eye contact and/or may actually turn away from people at the point of greeting. Most have a desire to interact with others but my observation has been that they seem to have difficulty in deciphering how to make interaction work. There seems to be a pre-occupation with certain and varied tasks or interests that is individualized. In adults this pre-occupation may well lead to a successful career in the desired field of interest. In younger cases this will appear as a rigid routine which, when interrupted, may cause the individual to become apprehensive. Many people with Asperger Syndrome are very blunt to the point of being brutally honest. To them it is merely stating what they consider to be fact. An example would be telling a singer, “You are singing out of key”, or “You might consider voice lessons.” Then, when the individual is made aware that their comments have hurt the feelings of others they seem greatly remorseful that their comments have hurt others. Tact is usually not in the tool kit of someone who has Asperger Syndrome. Although it is difficult, people with Asperger Syndrome can have relationships, families, and very productive lives.

I hope that this has been helpful. Many people in society may indeed be involved or have contact with someone who has Asperger Syndrome and not even know it. However, the church can be helpful in helping parents and adult individuals “fit in” better within the church setting and in the public at large.

Peace and Blessings

Lonnie Richardson

Well, the first eight week term at Liberty University has been completed. With over 3000 pages of text read, read every book of the Old Testament, about 10% of the New Testament, 70 hours of lecture on DVD, 8 papers written, 20 critiques written, two midterm exams, 8 quizzes, and two final exams God got me through with scores of 97.3% in Old Testament Survey and 98.6% in Theology. I can honestly say that it was 98% God and I contributed maybe 2%. Yes, God did it but He worked me hard to do it. As one of my dearest friends with a Phd. in Psychology once eloquently stated, “Lonnie you are a stuff knowing dude.” But that is not accidental either. My dad had a sister in law who was a teacher, a very dedicated teacher. She taught my dad in the second grade and held off on retirement until she taught me in the second grade. My folks were thirty seven years old when I was born so that should give you some idea of the time this lady spent teaching. She was an “old school” teacher and not learning in her class was not an option. She had my folks start reading to me when I was an infant Mom began by reading me nursery rhymes and dad read farm journals to me at night. By the time I was five I was reading newspapers. By the time I was eight I was reading on high school levels. Growing up in a very rural area where resources where slim to none and being an only child, books became the primary source of entertainment. I read everything about anything and I learned a great deal in the effect that I can talk to just about anyone about anything. Now that may sound like I am bragging but I assure you that I am not. Those who know me will tell you that I have learned to be humble with humility to a great extent. Those same people will tell you that I am not afraid to take a stand and fight for that which is right should the time and need arise. I have made mention of all this for one simple reason. To give God the Glory. He made me what I am. He gave me the intellect, skills, talent, and gifts that I possess. These gifts were developed, not necessarily at the time for His glory but ultimately that He may be glorified.

My reasoning behind all this is really simple although I may have made it appear complex without meaning to. Simply, I put myself into the Bible with prayer and a dedicated discipline to not simply know about God, but to know God. I have never read or studied so intensely or with such focus on anything in my life as I have in the past eight weeks. I have come to some primary conclusions. (1) I am confirmed that this course of study is what God wants me to do although I am as yet uncertain what His overall plan is for having me go through it at this time. Yet, I will be obedient in faith. (2) I believe that if you can get people into the Bible, the Bible will get into people. Once this is done the family will be stabilized and God can do His best work. (3) Pay attention pastors, I believe that if you apply the second conclusion and practice what you preach, then you will have prepared an army to go into battle of spiritual warfare winning souls to Christ whereby hell will be plundered to populate heaven.  (4) That II Timothy 2:2 “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” should have a very special meaning for all of us.

Get into the Bible. Allow the Bible to get into you. Therein lies the truth, wisdom, and strength that will be necessary to grow in spirit that will allow you to reach out and meet the needs of the special needs and their families. More than likely, you will find that many of your own needs have been or will be met in the process.

God Bless,

Lonnie Richardson