Conversations with Bug

Bug is his nickname he may be almost 25 but his functioning level begs to differ. It is apparent in our many conversations.

The other day I was out spending time with my Mom I get a call, a frantic Bug is on the other line telling me that I better have a plan to get him out of the United States by 2017. Because he says the government will try to microchip him. Um OK I tell him I will be home soon. When I get home he tells me all about being microchipped and is is possible he has one in him now?   Since, I feel I was already losing ground in this conversation I tell him if you were microchipped by the government I would be on the phone yelling fix him! He started laughing. He left shortly after so the conversation ended.

The next day I was in the shower and he comes in the bathroom. (No he doesn't get it about the shower) proceeds to tell me that he is never leaving the United States. I roll my eyes and tell him first you are saying I need to have a plan to get you out of the US now you are saying you are never leaving. Make up your mind. He then starts saying he isn't getting on a plane and he isn't stepping foot on one of those big boats either because they will get a current and sink. I interject cruise ship and tidal wave and he says yeah a tsunami. I am just speechless and thoughtless at this point where he starts we aren't going zip lining either or rock climbing unless it is in a mall. A mall? You don't rock climb in a mall. Well then I want to go snowboarding. I said you do know snowboarding isn't bunny slopes. Oh yes they are he replies back. I am standing there wondering why I even tried to shower. He leaves I get out he is still taking to me through the door.

He said I should go air softing with him. I say paint ball. He says paintball leaves bruises. Reminding him of shooting me about a week ago I look down and remind him I still have one from when he shot me. He just laughs it off and goes on about all the airsoft I need to buy. I tell him I will rent "if" we go. He ignores me and runs down the list to buy then disappears into his room.

Struggles with Autism and Video Gaming

People seem to think that video gaming addiction seems to be a heavily rooted problem in video gaming when autistic. Well that is partially true. There is also a deeper problem for them it involves playing and interacting.

I know this because my son along with his bipolar happens to have pervasive development disorder. It is a form of autism. His days can go from good, to bad, to worse in matter of minutes. It comes from other gamers lack of understanding.

For a few days now he has been fighting like mad with his Xbox360 clan. Which is another name for a gamers group. I didn't think this was a good idea. I was right as it brought more fighting.

He has a lot of trouble with kids, and young adults alike understanding his functioning level. Which is somewhere between 8-14.

His educational level is lower. He was passed along and graduated to high school level with the No Child Left Behind Act. Now he is really behind and can't get into any school that can help him due to having a high school diploma. So much for children not being left behind. This is even happening in online schools today.

The bullying and the fighting that occurs in video gaming is downright destructive to an autistic child or young adult. He will explode due to a game. These games help him to release stress but they can also cause a great deal.

Tonight I started a search for groups for Autistic kids and young adults. I told him I would find him something after he cried his eyes out to me on the phone that no one understands him. No one understands how he functions. I apparently have a good search ahead of me. For I only found a few. It may come down to of I build it they will come.

It isn't fair that they have to deal with the lack of understanding. Some can't even understand what is going on with themselves let alone trying to explain themselves to someone else. Someone who they thought is a close friend. Even close friends don't understand him. They think he is either faking or he is exaggerating his illness.

Tonight was another one of those times when I wish he was normal. Just so he didn't feel so much pain and hurt. He can't shrug it off or let it go. He doesn't understand that concept or how to do that. So he just crys and tells me how much he hates his life and how everyone keeps screwing him. I told him (as I have told him before) that he is hanging out with the wrong people. He needs to be with people like him and who understand him. I hope in the next few days I can find this for him. If not I will build a gaming group for children and young adults with disabilities.

They face constant put downs and bullying in their lives. They shouldn't have to when they are playing a video game.