Re:MAD ARTIST

Hi, I've been curious to see what feedback you get on this topic as I have a couple of situations here as well, I won't say who as I think she is going to have a bit of a read here as well. Oops, what a giveaway!

I am cutting this very short as there is a lot of history involved here. I just picked up on your comment "very intelligent" and this sparked a thought. When my son was a youngster, (adult now), he used to say that all his mates were immature or did stupid things etc etc and I would reply that it was not 'them', but 'him' that was different. He never understood my meaning back then, and frankly neither did I fully at the time,(I never said it in a derogatory sense you understand, but I could see he was not like most other kids).
Because I am of a different mind set I never paid much heed to it. I can look back over 30+ years now and realise there was always something different about how he viewed things. He never really fitted in so to speak. Now, around 12 months ago he started looking into IQ Societies, and over time has joined several. The initial motivation for this, I believe, was to try to find someone, ANYONE, who he could communicate with at his 'level' for the want of a better word, or 'understanding' if you like, (he also had things you mention of).
I have to say that I am pig ignorant with anything involving 'mental' issues as I just can't get my head around it, I simply don't understand it. I am currently, sort of, 'looking after' his mum at the moment. Joining these IQ Societies has been the best thing he has ever done in his life as he is so much better because he feels he can communicate with people who actually are on his 'wavelength'. He even says now that he understands what I used to say to him when he was a kid. I cannot believe the difference in his outlook now compared to 12 months ago. I firmly believe now that his whole attitude to life in general has changed, he finds it much easier to communicate, (well possibly with the exception of me, although everything is fine between us I hasten to add). He has found people whom he can debate with, have general conversations with, understand his way of thinking... I could go on if I understood it better myself.
I am not saying this applies to your case, but what I can say, is that I have never seen such an improvement in himself, his outlook, his communication skills or his 'whatever else' since he started talking in these societies forums. He still has issues but I think his participation in these societies stabilises him, encourages him positively and makes him aware that he is not alone, (other people think and view things similar to him). He doesn't necessarily discuss anything of his own personal mind but just by participating in discussion on any subject, (usually way over my understanding, or interest even), he has found others he can talk with who, I guess, are on a similar wavelength to him. Initially I was a VERY afraid that his participation in these Societies would allienate him even more but I am amazed at how, sometimes, help can come from the most unlikely quarter. We joke about all of this now, (when we catch up with each other as he doesn't live at home), as I used to say in recent years, when he reached adulthood, that he is living on a different planet to me. I think he, and myself, finally understand that he IS different and I give him the understanding and respect that is necessary. It's really hard to try to explain all this and how he has improved so I hope you get a general idea of what I am trying to say. I didn't cut this very short either I notice, but it is one hell, literally 'HELL', of a subject for me to try to get a handle on! If he is as 'intelligent' as you say then it could be worth a try, you never know.