Asperger’s - What’s the problem?

I’ve always thought Alexander has a special ability to memorize all kinds of details about his favorite books and other subjects. He often quotes word-for-word from books, explains all facts about insects or planets, knows all the names of characters and levels in games, can download and get all computer games rather easily.

And yet, I also always wondered why Alexander could not remember our neighbors or friends’ names even we see them almost every week for five years. Alexander could not remember our daily routine – like getting clothed, brushing his teeth, putting his socks on, eating breakfast, putting on shoes, getting his backpack, getting in the car. . . Often, he would come downstairs without all of his clothing on, or was ready to go to school but he didn’t have his shoes or backpack. Sometimes he even forgot what he was doing.

Like most mothers, I thought he would be able to do all these things when he gets older. Now, he is seven. Alexander still cannot remember the morning routine, still cannot remember to flush the toilet, still cannot remember peoples’ names, and often still forgets his clothing, backpack, and shoes. Still in some ways I thought he was like most boys in doing these things, too.

Well, can you imagine how he copes at school? When Mrs. Suster (his homeroom teacher) suggested that we should evaluate him to find out if he need any special help, I thought maybe he just needed more strict guideline and more one-on-one attention. How hard it could be? What was the problem?

I was so wrong.