I feel like having a son with ASD takes up my entire life. Dealing with issues at home and at school and where we can take him in public without issues. Everything revolves around autism and him. When is our next apt with which therapist, etc. Can we have a family outing? What works for our son when he throws a fit? Will it work the next time? What's he going to get upset next and bite me? I love my child, but it's tough!!

They aren't acting that way to annoy you. If you just can't read social cues to save your life, you aren't going to understand that your behavior is irritating. And no, they can't help it and no, no amount of "discipline" is going change it. Oh and by the way - the more attention you give it the worse it will be.

I think one of the things to remind people is that it can be very isolating. ASD kids frequently require a lot of parental time. Our "spare time" can be limited by the relentless demands of therapy and school, and our activities can be limited by the nature of ASD behaviors.

My son has a very high level of energy, and a very limited set of interests. He might be fine going to a theme park (or even out for a jog), but he cannot sit through a movie or a dinner.

If we let our kids entertain themselves, they will always revert to some sort of video game. In addition to my full-time job during the day, I work another full-time job each week keeping my son away from video games. I believe the games limit his intellectual development and flexibility.

These are all such beautiful answers. There is a book in here somewhere...

I would like them to understand that although our ASD children may not communicate, they most likely will understand what we are saying about them in their presence. Limit conversation about progression/regression around the children. Before my boy was verbal, we would make this mistake and he would come along and pat his behaviorist and I on the head - he knew full well we were discussing his well-being.

In short, our children may not talk, but they will understand!