The Boy is retarded. In the old fashioned sense of the word. His cognitive processes don't function, for the most part, at a normal level nor do they work in any coordinated manner. He's got an effective IQ of around 40. The emotional development of a 3 year old with the patience of a typical teenager.
For some things, he's actually past normal. Puzzles are easy for him.
He can be violent. The triggers to outbursts are not consistent to us, but probably are to him. If he is focused on something he's fully intent and the world ceases to exist outside that.
He has no concept of cause and effect. When he wants, he wants now and brooks no delay.
He is strong, but not coordinated.
When he experiences his emotions, he experiences them all the way. Nobody loves more fully, or hates more completely. He can shift between them in a heart beat.
Although it's got some outward similarity to autism, it is not. We've done twenty years of testing to find that out. In fact, it is not anything you've ever heard of. The same twenty years of testing have verified that too.
It's "The Boy Syndrome". It combines a lot of other symptoms, but omits others, making it his alone.
It's a hard road being a parent of such a child.
People do not understand.
People shy away like he's contagious, he is not.
We feel so very alone dealing with him.
Sometimes we are reminded that we are not and that many are willing to help.
We thank you for extending that help! Even if it is for something as silly as purple plastic parts for an AR.
I don't necessarily know you well, having met you once. But, I have read your thoughts and mostly agree. I am confident that you and yours would make fine additions to the tent. I am happy, repeat happy, to have helped. Even with something seemingly frivolous.
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