Comments for AS Parenting

Comment on Being Articulate, Mature and the 2/3s ‘Rule’ by Chuck Coleman

Chuck Coleman — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:30:32 +0000

Social level is very dependent on the situation. That being said, I get along great with children until they reach puberty. Perhaps that’s because I became socially overwhelmed at puberty and displayed my autism in earnest.

Comment on Being Articulate, Mature and the 2/3s ‘Rule’ by Sara Gardner

Sara Gardner — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:52:17 +0000

Hurray, I’m 32!! I have to agree with you, though, that the 2/3 rule is pretty subjective. I usually tell parents that their children lag about 3 years behind, and I suppose it’s possible that the lag is never made up, not that it matters once one reaches age 25 or so.

Sara

Comment on Explaining. Perception. by storkdok

storkdok — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:08:14 +0000

I call it Autism Mythbusting. I just educate wherever I go. I think it is easier for me as a physician and mom, people listen to me better and believe me when I tell them about how different each person on the spectrum is. I also can easily explain the medical side of things, such as that autism is not mercury poisoning ;0) As well as the fact that there are a LOT of older people on the spectrum who have not had an explanation for how they think and why they do what they do until they happen to find out about autism. I have found pretty much everyone to be very receptive and have a lot of questions. I want them to see that autistics are individuals like anyone else. They have the same feelings, desires, and needs for the most part that anyone else has. Nothing to be afraid about.

Comment on Explaining. Perception. by Kim

Kim — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 22:19:28 +0000

While this example illustrates that we have a way to go, it also shows us there is much to build on, and that children (both AS and NT) are wonderful gifts.

While John may have had an understanding of Autism that included “horrible things”, and he had a hunch that your son had Autism, he was still reassuring to you and your son. He was not scared. He was interested. His interaction with you increased his awareness and understanding of Autism. I imagine the next time he sees someone who he believes has Autism he will think of more than just the “horrible things that Autism does”.

Sometimes I think people really do want to know – they just don’t know how to ask. Good for John that he had the courage to ask. Good for you that you had the courage to tell.

Comment on Explaining. Perception. by Lydia

Lydia — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:49:14 +0000

We need to keep doing what we’re doing… and movies like Temple Grandin’s may help, but when big organizations like Autism Speaks and others teach people that our condition is something terrible, it’s like they put a wall up in our path. Not only that, but those who insist it can be cured make people think that we should be medicated or otherwise “in treatment” to get rid of our Autism… and that is also counterproductive.

We need PSAs and movies about the positive side of Autism. People are not allowed to discriminate or mistreat people of other races or sexual orientation, and they should not be allowed to discriminate against, bully and mistreat us, either.

Basically, what we are doing is fighting a war against ignorance and misconceptions.

Comment on Support Groups, Meetups, and Social Gatherings by SicherndeSeele

SicherndeSeele — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:33:40 +0000

RE: Kids & Relationships

I always wanted kids. I think they have always been a comfort zone for me, personally. I can relate and interact with them so much easier. They are less critical. It is a challenge. Some days it is a mountain. Kids are fairly forgiving, though.

Relationships, on the other hand, have always been hard for me. I am on my 4th marriage. I found out years after divorcing my 2nd husband that he was diagnosed with Asperger’s. Neither of us knew then and we operated on two completely different planes.

I think it only got better when I came to the conclusion that no one was likely to ever really “get” me and I had to be satisfied with people being able to say “I don’t understand, but it’s okay”.

Comment on Support Groups, Meetups, and Social Gatherings by SicherndeSeele

SicherndeSeele — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:24:44 +0000

I tend to respond in much the same way. If I am formulating my own responses to my own questions (or perceived questions), it is almost as performing is with me. Even that came with years of work. I used to be terrible at speaking even to groups of people.

I once told a VERY dear couple of friends that when we were all roommates I always felt like I was on the outside of the fishbowl. They didn’t see it. They saw me as the glue that held them all together. So I started working on my own perception versus that of others.

I don’t tend toward panic attacks or anything like that. You mentioned it before. Implosion vs. explosion. After a stressful situation I become MUCH more vulnerable to sensory overload. Don’t touch me, don’t talk to me, I stutter, I become much more “crass”.

My solution for the last couple of years (because the Army was a MAJOR exercise in “coping”) I plug into music. Usually it calms me right down and seems to reset my ability to deal.

Comment on Hi, Hello, Greetings & Salutations by Melody

Melody — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:20:29 +0000

I, for one, look forward to the change of scenery. I’m sure you’re going to be a great addition to this little site. Welcome, Ms. Holly!

Comment on Potty Training by Melody

Melody — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:13:51 +0000

It’s so true that it will happen. I think I was stressing him out too much. He finally went potty yesterday morning. This morning, he went again, except, I had to make him go to the bathroom as soon as we got in the house. Hopefully we’ll have more potty success today!

Comment on Potty Training by Mary McK

Mary McK — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:00:43 +0000

Also, this is the book that save my life when it came to potty trainging our autistic son. Our local school district therapist provided it to me, and it was amazing. There are some very simple issues that kids can have, and this book addresses them all. I would recommend anyone with a special needs child to buy the book, us it and then donate it to the local library or school district to help other parents struggling with special needs potty training.

“Toilet Training for Individuals with Autism and Related Disorders” by Maria Wheeler