to ‘foxoutsidethebox’ … exactly ….. people with Asperger’s are only mildly disabled, and can overcome many of the social issues they face with support and mostly with acceptance and chesed shown to them by those most important to them …. family, classmates, teachers, clergy, etc … it is horrific that ‘social literacy’ has become so important in the Jewish community, and that shyness or social awkwardness, Asperger’s or not’, is now on par with ‘mental illness’ …. my son, now 26, has had what we now know is Asperger’s for his whole life, but the yeshiva termed it a learning disability. his social issues weren’t fully realized until I came across information on Asperger’s just a few years ago. even without the ‘medical’ diagnosis as a child, we now know this is what he has …. he will probably always feel socially awkward and handicapped, but knowing that it is just another challenge that he was given has relieved both him and my entire family. his siblings have become particularly sensitive to him after feeling frustrated for years as to his loneliness and lack of close friendships, even though he has learned in yeshiva for years and is now in college working on a degree in psychology ….. he is so bright and one of the most remarkable and nicest people we know ….. the best thing that can be done for these wonderful young people is to embrace and accept them ….. regardless of their social literacy skills ….. sadly, the common Jewish practice of shaming and shunning those among us who are different is probably one of the reasons for our unusually long and painful golus …. and doesn’t do much for the gentle and remarkable people with Asperger’s, either ….
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