Jade+Henriques

=__Memior__= “He’s different,” my parents explain “What do you mean by that?” I ask “I mean, he’s not like the other boys in his grade. Let’s just say, his brain doesn’t function the way that yours or mine does.” Soon after is when I realized that my brother isn’t like the rest. He was different. People don’t accept him for his quirkiness, like I’ve grown to do. My brother, Andrew, has Asperger’s syndrome; this is a form of autism. People with Asperger’s have issues with the basic social activities such as making friends, or having a lack of social or emotional reactions. My brother has had a few friends, but none of which he truly cared about and had that ‘special bond’ with, as you may with your best friend. People with Asperger's don’t have a normal reaction to things. Like losing a loved one, one with aspergers may not be sad about it for a while, and the loss may not affect them at the time. However, they may feel it, but they don’t show it. someone with Asperger’s has their own comfort zone; they may not talk to anyone they do not know, or want to do anything that they are not familiar with. They also may just decide they do not like a person, without even knowing them. A normal person who is naive about this disorder, may find them insensitive or selfish, when they are not doing it intentionally. Someone with this syndrome may also be restricted in an interest or activity. Over the years my brother has picked up on different things that he becomes obsessed with, but has changed over the years. These interests or activities may be odd to the average person. For example, when my brother was little, he used to always make lists; lists, and lists, and more lists. During this time, the person will not want to do anything else and is not open-minded to any other activity. I remember back when I was in second grade and Andrew was in fourth grade. I didn’t see him much, but when I did, he was always alone. He had a better relationship with his teachers than his peers. As time went on I recognized the differences between him and the other kids. He was something my mom called ‘anti-social’. She told me that means he doesn’t make friends well. My mom got my brother taken to a doctor to get him diagnosed with this syndrome and right after told me. It took me many years to fully understand why he was different, and as time went on, I could only accept that about him. Many people pick on him for being the way that he is, but what they don’t understand is why he is the way he is. This has affected me and put me in many situations where I have to stand up for him, or I have to be more understanding of him. This will affect me for the rest of my life but it has made me look at things differently, and actually find out about people’s background and why they are the way that they are. It’s made me think twice before judging someone because I don’t know what they are really like. Authors note: I chose to write about this because it is something that will affect me for the rest of my life in many different ways, for better and worse. It’s just something that I have to live with and accept about him, and know that nothing is going to change about him. In a way, I look up to him, he doesn’t really care about what other people think about him, and he will not change for anyone.

__ Dream Essay __ Everyone has a goal, or dream in life. Many people dream of growing up, and getting married, and creating a family. Other people have more wild and exotic dreams, such as, becoming the next president of the United States. When I was younger, I wanted my name to be known, I would dream of becoming a movie star, and becoming rich and famous, as would any other young girl. As I am getting older I’m realizing that there are more things to life than that. I want to be happy; with whatever I do in life, I want to love what I am doing, and not loose who I am while doing it. If my name would be known for anything, I would want it to be known for someone who changes people’s lives and helps them. I want to be a psychologist. The biggest difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is that a psychiatrist finds out what is wrong with someone by asking them questions and prescribes them medication. They are required to have their Medical Degree, and go the same route that doctors would. A psychologist is also considered a doctor, but their job is to listen to a person’s problems, like a professional therapist. They are supposed to provide them with therapy. They are specialists in the field of psychology. This focuses more on the science that deals with human behavior, and counseling activities such as psychotherapy, hypnosis, and mental conditioning. To be this, I would need my PhD which requires about five to seven years to earn a doctorate degree, and then around one to two years of internship. In order to do this I must get good grades all through high school in order to get into a good college to get a good education. Imagine waking up knowing that you’ve saved so many lives and each day you have the chance to make an impact on another person’s life.