Autism
Questions + Answers
Has a doctor prescribed your child medication to address behavioral issues? If so, what kind of doctor?
Pediatric neurologist? psychiatrist? behavioral specialist, etc?
Medication is the answer for many autistic children. For others, it just complicates the problem. You better pray it works for your child. My daughter… read more
What would you share with parents of children with ASD who are considering a dog or cat?
we have a cat and its a great thing it helps him calm down when he needs it.
What bits of "advice" do you wish people would stop telling you?
I know people are well meaning most of the time but when they keep telling me that I need to take my son and grandson matty matt who is adhd on spectrum… read more
Did you lose friends after your child was diagnosed?
I work in the mental health field and I am lucky to have friends who also work in the field. My best friend is a Marriage and Family Therapist who… read more
Has autism, or is autistic?
I'm curious to know what others say when characterizing their young child's disorder in a context where it's necessary to identify it, such as arranging for special accommodations.
"I have a child with autism."
"I have an autistic child."
"My child is on the autism spectrum."
"I have a child with special needs."
"I have a child that is smarter than me but can't tie his own shoelaces."
Don't mean to stir up controversy. I'm just interested in how others feel about this.
For me, it depends on where and who we are speaking with. If they are ignorant people who I feel we have to explain every single solitary thing to....I… read more
Does your child sleep through the night?
Share your tips with other parents.
Here's our routine (9+5 year old boys) most days, except activities sometimes force us to move dinner earlier or miss screen time.
3:45 - walk home from… read more
Have any of you reached the point where you have stopped mourning the life you imagined your child WOULD have had if not for autism?
I remember the exact moment I stopped mourning. About 2 years ago, I was watching a group of mothers at my son's school playground chatting and lamenting about their kids and the typical social drama that they were going through. It hit me that he does not judge people at all in that way and he never will. I admired that about him. And I let go of that imagined child's life and dove… read more
You have to stop thinking about could've/would've/should've and start thinking about what is.
Giving my son B vitamins helps him, and seeing the… read more
How do you feel about pressure from schools to mainstream your child out of special ed?
I'm worried that Ryan will be forced to give up his unique perspective to comply and fit into mainsteam classes. He is only in Pre-K and there is pressure being applied to get him out of special ed into regular Kindergarten by next year. I feel they dont know him well enough, and with his delays I think it's setting him up for failure.
Can I hear from parents with children that have gone the route into mainstreaming, and some… read more
I have and never will understand or feel good about mainstreaming. This is not to change the minds of those of you who this has worked out well for, but… read more
Does anyone have advice for how to respond to rude comments from strangers?
I always look at Hunter and then, in a voice loud enough for the "offender" to hear, say "Everyone doesn't have a brain that works as well as yours… read more
Anyone ever lose friends because of their child's autism?
I had a friend that this past year was also my sons preschool teacher. During the year I never really noticed that she seemed like she became real distant. The other teacher had mentioned to me that my friend did not really know how to handle Kade when he had his meltdowns. I honestly did not say anything I figured my friend would ask me if she needed help I trusted her and Kade seemed happy enough with school. So now that school has been out two months for… read more
unfortunately all to often i don't blame them for being uneducated or ignorant ! lol truth is there is only so many times you can apologizes, example… read more