WARNING--Tendency to be brutally honest *

While I was browsing through the internet for some quotable quotes on Asperger's Syndrome, I bumped into this quote and was reminded of the interesting discussion we had in class with a boy with Asperger's. 

Our first class day of 2013 was spent talking about how the children spent their Holidays, and of course, their year-end evaluations and New Year's resolutions. They were to group themselves into pairs and share with their partners how they've been in 2012 and what are the things they wanted to change or improve in 2013. It was a great experience hearing the kids' very honest self-evaluations.

What I found most striking from this activity was that one of my pupils with Asperger's syndrome shared that he wanted to improve his "socialization." In class, he is typically verbose, often using highfalutin synonyms of words used by his peers. So I asked him what he meant by improving his socialization. He explained that in 2012 he has hurt many of his classmates because he says things which hurt them even though for him those were just his honest opinions. Indeed, one of the features of this disorder is what people would call "brutal honesty" but I was amazed at how much self-awareness he already possessed at this stage, which allowed him to be sensitive of others' feelings. What's even more interesting is his realization that he has caused some of his classmates to be hurt, and that hurting others should be lessened. The social impairment characteristic of this disorder comes from individual's insensitivity and inability to reciprocate socially. This clearly is an improvement for the boy. 

Moments like this take my breath away. I am blessed to be a witness of everyday miracles. :) 

*Quote taken from  website