My son is anti-social and obsessed with projects. He never has any fun. Should I medicate him?

Kids develop at different rates. He's a slow starter.

I was and wasn't into dating. I was considered a nerd, even though my grades were not that good. I really didn't like school, had no interest in the opposite sex (or same, as far as that goes) and had only a couple of friends. And even then, we didn't hang out much. I had projects and loved mechanical things (took apart an alarm clock and couldn't get it all back together -- left-over parts), and put together a couple of electronic kits.

After graduating from high school, I enlisted in the military and completed my service obligation. When I got out, then I started looking for someone to marry. After a year, I did. We had four children, I had a very satisfying career that started with things mechanical and ended up in the computer industry (all parts). We've been married 45 years and have 8 grandchildren.

Give him a break. He's just a slow starter and will likely lead a very normal life without any "help" or medication.

Please do NOT medicate you son. It sounds like he has an extremely high IQ and a passion for learning. By the sounds of it he is mature beyond his peers and looks towards the future quite often. You said he has no problems with networking, which is a kid of socializing. He clearly does reach out to people who are similar to him- the problem is that he must be quite different from his peers. Instead of making him feel ashamed for his difference you should be encouraging his passion for learning and projects. He could be SOMEONE in the future. All the greats of our time were unusual children and teenagers, they knew what they wanted out of life. Look at Einstein and even Natalie Portman! You said your self he is kind and polite! Sociopaths deliberately manipulate the people around them, does he do this? He is probably not interested in dating any of the girls (or boys) he sees around him in high school You should watch the television show Bones, sometimes people who are extremely smart come across as a little different and highschool is often the worst time of their lives. You son will thrive in college/university, don't worry about that! Respect his life choices, he is not hurting anyone. Watch Alpha-Dog and then decide if you want a regular teenager okay?

Hell, if he's getting good grades in school and doing well in academics, maybe it's not such a bad thing?

He's probably very intelligent. Medication isn't the answer here. Try to get him to join an academic club with other intelligent people of his age, or maybe even a college club.

Very intelligent people are usually introverted. Just remind him that he needs to spend at least a little time on his social skills as well. Try to get him to think of socializing as a "project".

Don't let anyone label your son. Let him develop in his own way. If you interfere, then for sure he will become rebellious. I know. I wound up leaving home when I was 16. I graduated high school early. harrassment from parents, etc. Give him guidance. He is old enough now to make his own decisions. Your job as a parent training him with morals and so forth is ended. It's time for him to be his own man. If he needs your help, let him know you are there. But support him please. If you force your will or the will of others on him, he will never forgive you. Ever. Again, I know.

You don't know how lucky you are, to have a kid who actually wants to make something out of his life - you should encourage that, do what you can build his self esteem. Would you rather have him running the streets with a bunch of loser druggies? As far as him not having a girlfriend, it'll happen. Maybe he just hasn't met a girl yet who can stimulate his intellect. Everyone in the world can't be Freddy Football or Suzie Cheerleader anyway, nor should they be. Bear that in mind.

Please fight NOT to have this kid medicated! His interests are just fine! Just b/c he's different, some people are weirded out and want to put him on drugs to make him "normal." That's total bs. Why can't they be happy that he is smart, responsible, and not causing them problems like other "normal" teenagers such as drinking, partying, having sex too young, etc.???

It does sound like he *might* have Asberger's syndrome, basically a very high-functioning level of Autism. But he's not causing any problems and is doing fine in school, so let him be!

wow your son seems to be a very smart enthusiast, though he must not have gotten it from you. do not medicate him, it will do more damage than good. alot of todays medications interfere with the brains chemicals, do you really want to change your son to the point he may become a complete different person, also with the many side effects that can include brain damage, dependance and addiction, suicidal tendencies and all the other probs.

you are a bad mother who should'nt be allowed to raise children.

he may seem perfect diligent and hard working but hes ganna burn out some day when he gets strong armed by a boss he needs friends and a social life. there is no cure for cancer and you cant solve global warming without stopping man from industry ... he needs to find friends so encourage him dont medicate him put some limitations on his work and make him understand why its unhealthy

Yeah, and when it comes time to chip in for his college education, you'll be glad that he didn't spend all of his time paintballing.

i behave the same way but i don't know what to do or if what im doing its Right or if this is the best for me or something im lost. but my answer to this is just let him be and decide for himself whats good for him because therapy and medications usually make it worst