10
schools
january24
2012
Nate’s Notes: Living with Asperger’s Syndrome
By Nate Izzett
A year ago, I found out that I
had Asperger’s syndrome. At least, I’m
convinced it was a year ago. My parents,
on the other hand, are adamant that they
had told me at least two years ago. In
fact, we had a big fight about that, but
more on that later. Asperger’s is a high-
functioning developmental condition
that falls on the autism spectrum. I had
been diagnosed as being on the autism
spectrum before I was 3 years old. It has
explained a lot of things that I do or say
that aren’t exactly normal.
Asperger’s
syndrome
is
caused by brain abnormalities, and is
one of what I call the “four A’s,” four
developmental conditions that begin
with the letter A, which also includes
autism, ADHD, and ADD. Some famous
people are said to have had Asperger’s.
In fact, it is believed the Albert Einstein,
arguably history’s greatest scientist, and
Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft,
both may have or have had a form of
Asperger’s.
People with this condition,
sometimes called “Aspies,” tend to
have average to well above average
intelligence. Sometimes they have
intense interests in one or two
things. Other common symptoms of
Asperger’s include lack of empathy,
social difficulties, and sensory issues,
as well as slow development, trouble
with communication, and repetitive
behaviors.
But that’s just background
information. When you look at me, then
stuff gets really weird! As I said earlier
– and my fellow students can relate
to this – my diagnosis of Asperger’s
might explain a lot of my actions. The
fight with my parents I mentioned at
the beginning of this column displays
typical Aspy behavior, as we tend to be
rather black-and-white, argumentative
people. Aspies are known to have
some obsessive interests. Just ask me
– I have an extremely intense interest
in weaponry and warfare, to the point
where I’ve learned more than your
average teenager about that sort of stuff,
from Benedict Arnold to George Patton
and from swords and spears to the M16.
I also am interested in a lot of political
things – countries, flags, etc. I can pretty
much identify any country on a map of
the world. But my preoccupation with
these subjects may make me seem a bit
odd or nerdy.
The same thing goes with my
ritual/strict procedure-based behavior.
While it helps me to organize everyday
processes like getting ready for school,
VHS Winter Sports
it can also enslave me to a routine
procedure, even if makes more sense
to do something a different way than I
have determined to be the best way.
Like a few other Aspies, I have had a
few irrational fears – in my case it’s been
scary-looking pictures and loud noises,
which is a bit odd, when you consider
that I play the drums. A lot of fears, such
as my fear of spiders, can make me more
wary of getting bitten by a poisonous
spider, but it can also cause me to avoid
a certain room where I have previously
seen a spider. Other, more irrational
fears, like the one of scary pictures that
can’t really hurt me, end up creating a
problem if that picture is on a wall in a
certain restaurant. My parents used to
have to ask to be seated as far from the
picture as possible, or I would have a fit.
It is normal for Aspies to adhere
to a strict method to doing things. I
do that. We also tend to have a logical
approach to many issues, one event
leading logically to the next. I do that
a lot. A lot of Aspies can seem a bit
immature. In fact, to tell you the truth,
I have been seen as immature by some
of my classmates, as I tend to do things
that my peers would call immature. We
Aspies can have good memories. I’m
an example. I remember things that I
have read or heard only once for a long
time. At age three I had all of the major
bones in the human body memorized.
When I was young I used to listen to
the sample CDs of band music my
dad would get, and I could recite the
spoken introduction to each song after
a couple of times of listening. People
with Asperger’s can have poor people
skills. This is somewhat true of me, as I
do have a few classmates who I am sure
think I am a bit strange, but not a lot.
But that’s where the similarities
to the mainstream Aspies ends.
Asperger’s has been linked with low
empathy, which isn’t true of me. Due
to that “lack” of empathy, Aspies don’t
tend to make lots of friends. On the
contrary, I have lots of friends! Unlike
most Aspies, who “aren’t supposed” to
make many good friends, I am fiercely
loyal towards my friends, often to a
fault.
True, Aspbergers has its
downsides, even for me, but I wouldn’t
dare change it for anything. It’s just a
part of me, who I am. And that’s just the
way it is.
Nate Izzett is a 9th grade student at
Vernonia High School and will be
writing a monthly column as a volunteer
intern for Vernonia’s Voice.
Weller says he would still like
to see more improvement with team
Boys Basketball—The Vernonia Loggers continue to rebounding. “We did a little better in a
show they may be one of the top teams in the state in couple of these past games, but we still
Division 2A basketball, having now won six straight need to toughen up. We’re giving up too
league games. The Loggers Northwest league record many offensive rebounds.”
Coach Weller also mentioned
now stands at 6-1 and 12-2 over all after they defeated
Portland Christian 63-62, Riverdale 82-52, Neah-Kah- the play of Byron Weller and Jerrid
Nie 69-37and Nestucca 47-44. A much anticipated Johnston as a positive. “Byron has
match-up with Faith Bible was cancelled due to weather played really well the last few games
and had five assists in the first quarter of
on January 17.
The Loggers are scoring an average of 61.8 two different games and some important
points per game—tops in the league--and holding steals,” said coach Weller. Johnston has
Members of the VHS Band were selected for District Band.
been a defensive specialist who has also
opponents to a stingy 46.4 points per game.
L-R:
Sarah Wagner-tuba, Chris Dass-baritone sax, Jacob Medearis-
“This was our chance to make a statement, provided a number of key steals. “They
trombone, Nate Izzett-percussion, Jackson Miller-trombone, Nicole
that’s what we’ve been saying in the locker room,” said have both been big contributors to our
Glass-bass clarinet, Brandon Krause-euphonium and not pictured
head coach David Weller of this last stretch of games. success.” said Weller.
Samantha Morgan-clarinet.
The Loggers were entering into
“We wanted to go out and make a statement in the
league that we are one of the best teams. And we did the heart of their league schedule, with
Jacob Barnes at170, Jacob Stevens at 182 and Brett
upcoming home games against Delphian on January 28,
that.”
Benes 195; Quin Johansen at 145 and Joe Benes at
Weller has been pleased with the Loggers Knappa on January 31, Neah-Kah-Nie on February 4
160 pounds both took 5th place
ability to run the court and play a high tempo offense. and Faith Bible on February 9. The Northwest League
On January 13 and 14 the Loggers traveled
“We did a much better job these last few games of playoffs start on February 16
to Redmond and took part in the prestigious Oregon
pushing the basketball up the court—our assists have
Wrestling Classic. In dual meet competitions the
gone up which is a good sign. A lot of teams can’t run Girls Basketball—The Lady Loggers got their second
Loggers defeated the Culver 2 squad– 66-36 and
straight league wins with a 42-34 victory
with us.”
Heppner 62-36 before losing to Lowell 35-18. The
over Neah-Kah-Nie on January 14 and
G u a r d
Loggers then lost to eventual tournament champion
a 65-39 win over Nestucca on January
Craig Weller has
Culver 15-61 before defeating Scio 39-24 in the
20. After earlier losses to Portland
been shooting
consolation round.
Christian and Riverdale, the Vernonia
the ball extremely
“We did pretty good, finishing 3-2 overall and
girls league record stood at 3-4 and they
well from outside,
taking second in our pool,” said Loggers head coach
find themselves right in the middle of the
scoring six three
Chris Wolf. “Our kids had some really good matches
Northwest league standings.
pointers against
against some very tough opponents-some kids that
The Lady Loggers were headed into an
both
Riverdale
have placed at state. So it was a good experience for
important stretch of their schedule with a
and Neah-Kah-Nie
us and we got to wrestle some teams and kids we don’t
chance to turn their season around with
and four against
normally get to see. Now some of our kids know where
key match-ups at Gaston on January 23
Portland Chrisitian.
they need to be to be a state contender.”
and at home against Delphian January
“Craig has really lit
In the women’s division Samantha Morgan
28, Knappa January 31, Neah-Kah-Nie
it up from outside,”
took 1st place and Aries Adams took 3rd place in
on February 4 and Faith Bible February
said Weller. Paul
the 132 bracket. Morgan was planning to attend the
9.
Jiranek
also
Woman’s State qualifying meet Saturday January 28.
continues to be
“I think she should do real well,” said Wolf.
one of the team’s Craig Weller drives to the basket in another Logger Wrestling—On January 7 at the Bob
Vernonia had to cancel a home match against
Bishop Invitational the Vernonia
leading scorers.
win. Photo courtesy of Jonah Ooeten
Clatskanie on January 17 and a trip to Siletz Valley
Loggers took 5th place out of 18 teams,
A f t e r
on January 18, but were headed to the Pacific Rim
working hard in practice during the winter break the finishing behind Dallas, Willamina, Hudson Bay, and
Tournament in Seaside on January 20-21. The Loggers
Loggers have cut down on the number of turnovers Banks. In the Junior Varsity brackets Mikol Pihl took
return home to face Knappa and Nestucca on January
they are committing. After averaging almost twenty- 1st place at 170, Jacob Lavenseller finished 2nd at 160
26, travel to the Scappoose invitational on February 4,
five turnovers per game, Weller was happy to see that and Kristian Wredstrom took 3rd place at 182 pounds.
and face district rival Central Linn on February 8. The
The varsity squad had six wrestlers place in the
number down to around fourteen per game. “We’ve
District 1 Tournament will be held on February 17-18
tournament: finishing third were Shylo Dooley at 138,
made a big improvement in that area.”
in Monroe.
