the latest on the boy

As some of you may know, earlier this year we received some feedback from the boy's preschool teachers. They suggested that he might benefit from a psychological assessment since he seemed to be displaying some behaviors that were, to say the least, challenging, and similiar to another boy in the class who had a diagnosis of [Asperger's Syndrome](http://autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Aspergers). When I heard this, my gut reaction was "Naaaw---he displays some of the behaviors because he likes to play with this particular kid. What's really going on is that he's scary bright and supplies a graduate level course in boundary setting to all comers." However, since I have so much respect for the teachers (and everyone) at this preschool, I discussed this with several friends who have educational/psychological experience with kids with autism, and the consensus was with me.

Well, a couple of days ago, I received some feedback from our lovely neighbor (as opposed to the privacy fence one) which caps it.

A little explanation: ever since we've moved in, she has kept popsicles in her freezer for the kids, and hands them out whenever they and she happen to be outside at the same time. However, Mr. Test-the-Limits has taken to going over, knocking at her door and asking for them, which, (of course) has resulted in a little maternal lecture on common courtesy and the perils of begging. Now back to my neighbor, who called me over to the fence and said, "Tanya, I know the boy doesn't have autism. Yesterday when I sitting in my Florida room, he hissed through your toy room window. He said, "Chris, I'm gonna tell my mom that you *offered* me a popsicle, okay?""

As I said, a graduate course in boundary setting. But I'm here to tell you, he probably would have gotten away with it too, if her freezer hadn't gone kaplooie, melting everything within. The child is too damned charming, and knows it.

Another example, today being June 1st, we've started our 'school year'. *(More or less...I'm still going to count what we do for history and earth sciences as this year when we submit the girl's portfolio.)* AAANNYWAY, my plan for his first day of kindergarten was to start with the [Handwriting Without Tears](http://www.hwtears.com/) curriculum so *he* could print his name and get his library card when the summer reading program starts next week and *I* might circumvent all the issues we've had with writing with the girl. He decided instead that we should learn to play chess, then learn some more about the Greek gods, since he helped the girl yesterday with her mural of Mt. Olympus. Can you say scary bright?

And yes, we played chess. I won, barely; the brat took my queen. (It would be more of a triumph for him if I weren't so hopeless at strategy.) *Then* we did a little writing. I'm not that much of an unschooler yet. However, I imagine that the boat will be sailing soon with the boy cutting through the moorings as usual.

This may seem a non sequitur, [though it really isn't,](http://amazonmidwife.linuxcolumbus.com/node/158) but I am really glad that we decided not to vaccinate him.