If I were you I would focus on doing what I can to create a healthy life for my child. Their lack of interest in your life is their loss. Try to create close and meaningful friendships that maybe can help fill the void left by your family. I'm sorry that you don't have the closeness with them that you desire (and need!) but it sounds like you've done more than your part to make this happen. Some people are just too self involved and it's sad that they will miss out on really knowing your awesome child! Best of luck to you... I hope this helps a little...

Perfectly stated, Jennifer :)

I do keep a small photo album for my son and frequently go thru it to identify the people who love him. This way he at least can place a face with a name in most cases.

@A MyAutismTeam Member, I couldn't agree with you more. My mother in law lives 15 minutes away and she is less involved in my daughter's life than my mom who lives 5000 miles away in another country. My mom visits us once a year and she usually stays 2 months, my mother in law probably sees my daughter once a month if we are lucky, so if you do the math that is 12 days a year with one grandmother and 60 days a year plus twice a week phone calls with the other grandmother. My daughter goes crazy every time she sees my mom, I have to wait until the day before she is scheduled to arrive to announce that she's coming or my daughter will drive me crazy asking when are we going to the airport.
I believe you just have to stay connected with whoever really cares about your child and ignore the rest!

Mentioned Users

A MyAutis...

My 4yr old spent the first 3 yrs of his life getting to know my Mom via Skype as we lived out of state and could only visit once/year. Every sunday morning they'd interact online. Some days she'd just watch him play if he wasn't in the mood to interact. Mom got a special book that she read each time to him online. Eventually, he asked for her to read the book and then he knew it well enough to recite it by memory back to her. She also recorded her voice on a Build A Bear for him (and he did the same for her) and a Hallmark story book. With modern technology it is so much easier to do long distance with family. My grandparents lived several states from us when I was a kid. So, I learned at an early age how to keep in contact. Back then, snail-mail was all we had as phone calls cost too much. Those letters have been saved over the years and are priceless now that my grandparents are no longer with us.

It is hard when a family is 'disconnected' emotionally in some way from each other. I have seen this as well. My best advice is do what you feel comfortable in doing and then leave the ball in their court. Maybe make up a website (there are plenty of free sites) dedicated to your son's life and keep it updated. Share photos/videos/news via frequent emails or snail mail. It's also possible that some people/families just don't communicate on the same level, but are still interested in knowing about one another.