Beth Compton Mathie's Story
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I am the mother of a 13 year old boy with Aspergers.
Q:Most days I find myself...
Trying to get Matt to venture out, since he mostly wants to stay in and play video games-alone.
Q:When did you know your child was on the Spectrum?
He was diagnosed when he was around 7 but I knew when he was a baby that he was not like other babies. Noises bothered him alot and I couldn't calm him down when he was upset the way I could my daughter when she was a baby.
Q:What therapies (if any) work best for your child?
Social classes. We have some medications that he takes. We have had him in and out of therapy. Talking doesn't seem to help him. He talks to me about what bothers him more than he did the therapist. Planning ahead and preparing him for as much as possible. Making sure you have say in your IEP at school. Don't let them tell you what is best. YOU know your child best!
Q:What do you wish you knew then, that you know now?
Not to expect too much too soon. I thought after he was diagnosed that the hard part was over. I would have insisted sooner that my son be in a ER class at school. They always told me that my son was too smart to be in there and mainstreaming him especially the first year of Middle School was a nightmare. He just does better with one teacher that understands him and smaller classes.
Q:What are your biggest challenges or difficulties?
My son used to have friends but the older he gets the harder it gets. Kids his age are into music,sports,liking boys/girls,group activities. Matt is focused on video games only. Getting him to go outside for anything anymore is like pulling teeth. He is behind socially so that is a big challenge.
Q:What would you share with parents new to autism?
Read,read,read as much as you can on the subject and learn how each child is different and what works for your child. Find as much support as you can. I have learned also that if your friends and family don't accept your child or think nothing is wrong with them except they need a good spanking,then maybe it's best for your child to not spend time with them. I have had that problem with both. I tell ppl to read up on Aspergers if they don't understand it and if they don't take the time then how important is your child to them?