THE DAILY ASTORIAN • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2016
FEATURES
TOMORROW’S HOROSCOPE
Asperger’s leads to different view
Dear Annie: I have a handsome things about her that he had gotten
23-year-old son who has been deal- from her Facebook page — and she
ing with Asperger’s syndrome for had accepted his friend request.
He was banned from the dorms
20 years. He has grown from a child
who didn’t look at or talk to peo- and ordered to stay away from these
ple other than the family to a young two women. There was an appeal,
man who can even share small talk and the school lifted the ban on the
dorms after they under-
with people, attend college
DEAR
stood that with Asperger’s,
and be a successful track
a person doesn’t read body
and field athlete.
ANNIE
language or facial expres-
However, he still has a
sions very well.
terrible time knowing how
He went to the speech
to act around women, and
pathology department last
he observes people around
year for coaching about
him for clues. He recently
social situations. Now,
received a phone call
after this involvement with
from the campus police
Lane
campus police, the Title
asking him to stop by. A Annie
Creators
Syndicate Inc.
IX department — has got-
woman had reported him
ten involved. It has some
because she felt uncom-
classes that will help him
fortable around him at a
dance. He had danced with her, sat to understand body language and
and talked with her, and gotten her facial expressions. I hope this will
some punch, but then he put his help him, but I also hope and pray
arm around her. He did this because that people, especially women, will
that’s what he had observed watch- give him a chance.
Please tell women that if some-
ing other guys and girls. He felt ter-
one has made them uncomfort-
rible because he really liked her.
In the next day or two, another able, they should gently but firmly
woman complained to the cam- tell the person, “You are mak-
pus police. He and this other girl ing me uncomfortable because I
had a class together and had talked don’t know you that well.” My
a few times. She accused him of son would never hurt anyone, but
stalking her. But what she said was these women ended up hurting him
“stalking” was his knowing a few deeply. — Heartbroken Again
Dear Heartbroken: Thank
you for sharing your son’s story.
Although I would never fault
young women for removing them-
selves from situations that feel
unsafe, it sounds as if these two
women simply felt awkward. A lit-
tle communication can go a long
way in such cases. We should all
be compassionate and keep in mind
that we have no idea the struggles a
stranger may be going through.
Dear Annie: I realize you
meant well with your response to
“Girl Who’s Gotta Eat,” whose
co-worker was bothered by her fre-
quent snacking. However, as the
parent of a child who has been diag-
nosed with an auditory processing
disorder, I think you should have
researched misophonia.
This is one of the perils and
costs of the open-office trend. Your
reader with the high metabolism
has needs. However, they may not
be on the same level as a fellow
employee who has a genuine psy-
chological or medical condition.
My daughter is a student, whose
condition is recognized and accom-
modated. Without that, her aca-
demic performance suffers.
Perhaps a less flip answer and
additional research on your part are
in order. — Think Again
5A
By Holiday Mathis, Creators Syndicate Inc.
ARIES (March 21-April 19). There’s a re-
prieve in whatever relationship strife you’ve
been experiencing. Rest confident that the
one you love loves you. Reciprocity doesn’t
guarantee an easy road, but it sure is a bet-
ter start than the opposite dynamic.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). You do not
have to be an expert in grief or loss to help
a bad situation. When you show up with an
open heart, your very presence is a comfort
to those who need it.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You have a fam-
ily you were born to and a family you define.
There’s an occasion coming up where the
two might intersect, and this will turn out just
fine. Relax. There’s nothing to worry about.
CANCER (June 22-July 22). You may not
be a schoolchild, but you’re not too old to
show your work to someone whose opinion
matters to you or to hang it up in an import-
ant place. Those who honor your self-ex-
pression honor you.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Being a fan of
great work perks your awareness and raises
your bar, making you a candidate for eventu-
al great work yourself. No pressure, though:
For now, enjoy your fandom status.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Every-
one needs support and compassion, and
yet there are not as may givers of these
things as there could be. If you feel like
you’re making up for the thoughtlessness
and ignorance of others, you are.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). On the
route to finding happiness, sometimes you
have no idea which direction you’re head-
ed. This is natural. Get rid of the things that
make you unhappy, and see if that doesn’t
clear your windshield somewhat.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). An unex-
pected wrinkle arises. This prompts you to
seek expert help. There’s much available
you won’t have to pay for. Follow the pre-
scription to a T and you’ll be home free.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). Small talk won’t nat-
urally gravitate to the things you care about
unless you steer it in that direction. Do so
today, because you’ll get more enjoyment
from connecting with people on what truly
interests you.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). The best po-
sition is the one with the least to lose. Par-
adoxically, to get there, you have to agree
to lose things. You’ll loosen your grip on
something you thought you needed. Turns
out, you don’t.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). You can and
should automate and improve the process of
day-to-day business. You’ll never know what
your time could be better spent doing until
you open some of it up to the possibilities.
TOMORROW’S BIRTHDAY (Dec. 1).
There’s a romantic confession and an excit-
ing proposition right at the top of this solar
return. In April you’ll become one with your
equipment and conquer work that used to
take you 10 times as long. You’ll then have
the time for a moneymaking venture and
sock it away through spring. Taurus and Ar-
ies adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 32,
30, 2, 40 and 16.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). When you make
efforts to see the bigger picture, you’ll no-
tice, with mixed feelings, that many people
around you face dramatic challenges that
make your own grievances seem trivial.
FRANK AND ERNEST
BLONDIE
THATABABY
SALLY FORTH
PHOEBE AND HER UNICORN
B.C.
LOLA
DILBERT
SIX CHIX
BIZARRO
MUTTS
NON SEQUITUR
BABY BLUES
WIZARD OF ID
ZITS
ROSE IS ROSE