FEATURES
8A
THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2015
Illness makes him hard to deal with Tomorrow’s horoscope
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
Dear Annie: One of my classmates
has Asperger syndrome. He often says
and does things that are obnoxious and
sometimes downright threatening. I
understand that his behavior is a result
of his Asperger’s, but it doesn’t make it
any easier to deal with. When I ask my
friends what to do, they say it’s not his
fault and I should just leave it alone.
But, Annie, he frequently talks
loudly over instructions so no one else
can hear, and last week he fell on the
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professionals. I want to be able to help
him change his behavior without mak-
ing it seem as though I’m blaming him
for it. How do I respectfully tell him
what is and isn’t appropriate? — Worn
Out
Dear Worn Out: Asperger syn-
drome is considered part of the autism
spectrum. Those diagnosed generally
have poor communication and social-
ization skills, although they are often
of above-average intelligence. Appro-
priate behavior can be taught, but it
helps to have early intervention and
to work with trained professionals.
We know your classmate’s behavior
is distressing to you and that you are
trying to handle this with kindness.
If you truly want to learn more about
what you can and cannot do to help,
please contact MAAP Services for
Autism, Asperger Syndrome and PDD
on his own problems, and the constant
complaining ensures that you will fo-
cus on him, as well. If this is the only
thing about Cliff that bothers you, sim-
Creators
ply ignore his complaints and sympa-
Syndicate Inc.
thize when you feel up to it.
Dear Annie: I am an RN who
Kathy Mitchell
worked in long-term care for many
and
years. We had mandatory sensitivity
Marcy Sugar
training of staff toward seniors. It is
not only patronizing, but also belittling
(aspergersyndrome.org), the Autism to any adult to address them as “hon-
Society (autism-society.org) or Autism ey” or “sweetheart” or anything other
Speaks (autismspeaks.org).
than their given name. Our staff was
Dear Annie: I am divorced and taught to address them with respect
have been dating a younger guy for and ask what they wish to be called.
three years. At the moment, “Cliff”
I recently retired and my hair is
doesn’t have a stable job and constant- WXUQLQJJUD\DQG,VXGGHQO\¿QGVHUY-
ly complains that he has no money. ers and customer service people call-
But he has a nice place and car (with ing me “honey.” We seem to treat any-
his parents’ help) and enough cash to one past a certain age as a child instead
buy food, etc.
of with the respect they deserve. When
I will be moving into a new condo someone uses such patronizing terms
with money from the sale of my house with me, I smile and say, “My name is
and some help from my parents. I work not ‘Honey.’ It is Joan.” If they are re-
part time and don’t make a lot, but I ceptive, I explain why it is disrespect-
manage OK. Many people I know are ful to address an adult in this manner. I
having a hard time right now, but Cliff do this in a kind way and consider it a
thinks he is the only one. How can I mini-sensitivity training session.
ask him to stop complaining about his
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front waitstaff and others who are pa-
Dear A.:3HRSOHZKRDUHKDYLQJ¿- tronizing them, they can carry a copy of
QDQFLDOGLI¿FXOWLHVUDUHO\DUHFRQVROHG this column with them and leave it with
by hearing about how much tougher the tip on the table. — Don’t Call Me
it is for someone else. Cliff is focused Honey Unless You Are My Husband
Annie’s
Mailbox
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
STONE SOUP
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE
ARIES (March 21-April 19). Don’t waste
time worrying about whether your team-
mates are strong enough. Focus instead on
communicating well. You can do a fantastic
job with an average team if you’re all on the
same page.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You’ll witness
amateur social moves: walking into the glass
door, conversations dominated by detailed
descriptions of a television show, epic drink
spills, etc. If you don’t laugh, you’ll win loyalty
and friendship.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You could be
socially impeccable if you wanted to be, but
what’s the fun in that? Take risks. If you’re not
making any weird mistakes, you’re not form-
ing the bonds you could be.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). The tyranno-
saurus rex is a strange mystery. So ferocious,
but why such tiny arms? And did it have
feathers or scales? You may never know, but
with a little digging, you may find answers to a
different powerful mystery today.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). At your heart, you
want them to like you. But today it’s so im-
portant that certain people respect you first
and foremost. You might have to change your
mode from “friendly” to “slightly intimidating.”
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). No matter
what you do, there are certain people in
this world who think of you as a fresh-faced
youth. That can be wonderful, even though
there are times when you really want to be
taken seriously as an adult.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). You suspect
what the truth is, though part of your mind
is busy spinning alternative versions that fa-
vor your worldview and the reality you wish
for. Face facts later — now is for living in the
possibilities.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). It’s like you
are standing at the intersection of life pushing
the “walk” button with no results. Keep push-
ing until that light comes on, and you can in-
fluence the traffic pattern to let you cross this
one safely.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Your
ruling planet, Jupiter, with its massive gravita-
tional pull, sucks many asteroids into its orbit
that otherwise might have been a danger to
Earth. There’s a person who will protect you
in much the same way today.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). You can
never go back. You can physically put your-
self there, but it’s just not the same, and so
you’re not really back. Today’s gift is being as
close to “back” as possible.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Everyone
is discussing a new topic, and you won’t have
much to say on the matter until after you’ve
given yourself time alone to think about what
you’ve heard. In other words, your best think-
ing will happen after the fact.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). An interest-
ing and very beneficial person will come into
your mix. This is someone you’ll get to know
best on a one-on-one basis, so arrange to
meet outside of the group setting.
THURSDAY’S BIRTHDAY (Feb. 16). Your
head and heart are in the right place now, so
take action. The rewards will be delayed just
enough to make them sweet for you. In April,
you’ll accept the responsibilities that go along
with your goal and get someone’s love as a
bonus. You’ll win a contest in June. Septem-
ber brings a career breakthrough. Capricorn
and Cancer people adore you. Your lucky
numbers are: 30, 1, 22, 38 and 50.