Have you ever heard of the term Savant Syndrome?? It is a rare condition in which people with developmental disorders have one or more areas of expertise, ability, or brilliance that are in contrast with the individual?s overall limitations.? Savant ?like? abilities seem to occur frequently (to varying degrees) with spectrum disorders.?? (Think Rain Man)

 

It seems to me that spectrum disorders allow the brain to hyperfocus on certain areas seemingly overcompensating for weaker areas (that is just my theory ? I didn?t try to validate that anywhere).

 

As stated, it is unusual for a person to actually have Savant Syndrome BUT it is VERY common for spectrum disorders to create a very specific area (or areas) of special interest that a child will hyperfocus on.? I read that these areas of special interest are what bring the most joy, satisfaction, and pleasure to a person?s world when they have this particular spectrum trait.

 

Ty has four areas of special interest:

 

1. Electronics including:
   1. Video Games
   2. Cell Phones
   3. Telephones
   4. Computers
   5. (Really anything with buttons that gives feedback)
2. Movies
   1. Ty must find them funny
   2. Ty needs the remote control in order to interact with them and play the same scenes over and over and over.? He will laugh every time and expect you to think it is as funny as he does.? No worries though because when you are less than amused he won?t even notice.
3. Food
   1. Ty loves to talk about food.? Specifically carbs.? ? He loves snack time.
4. Schedules
   1. Ty wants to know what and when.
      1. i.???? ?What are we doing today??? ?What are we doing tomorrow??
      2. ii.???? ?Do we have school today??
      3. iii.???? ?What are we having for lunch?dinner??? ?What are we having for dinner tomorrow??
      4. iv.???? ?When? can I?
      5. v.???? ?What are you doing today??

Ty will ask schedule questions over and over.? Partly because Ty likes routine (I wouldn?t say he requires it but he does favor it). ?Partly because Ty tries to engage you in his world the best way he knows how and asking you questions about the things he cares about is one way he has learned to do that.? More on that later.

 

Additionally, children with spectrum issues (Asperger?s for example), often teach themselves to read before they ever enter K-garten and they do it with computers, tv, video games alone with no adult guidance.? As you know ? this happened with Ty.

 

How You Can Help? I wouldn?t advise giving up your cell phone to him when he asks you to.? He is likely to reprogram it so engage at your own risk.??? He will ask.? Bet on it.?? Be understanding of the fact that Jim and I indulge Ty with video games more frequently than we may have otherwise BECAUSE we acknowledge this as his special area of interest.?? If you knew a child with diagnosed autism that could play the fiddle and that was all the child ever wanted to do, would you take it from him because of your assessment that too much time on the fiddle is unhealthy? ??I doubt you would.? Playing a musical instrument though is considered socially acceptable so that helps.??? Jim and I face a different challenge.? What do you do when spectrum disorders contribute to your child gravitating towards electronics that our culture frowns upon in large doses?

 

I will answer that question.? We ignore our culture and avoid conversations with other well meaning people in regards to appropriate amounts of time using electronics.? It is an apples to oranges discussion because a child with spectrum issues with an area of special interest can not be compared (not even in the same universe) to the typical attraction of a child without spectrum issues for their interest (including video games).

 

Tanner loves legos.? Graham loves all things cowboy.? Zane loves hunting.? Tori loves makeup.? NONE of these passions can be compared to Ty?s attraction (and frankly need for) electronics.? Not even remotely similar.