My child has come to you today he is not autism he is not special needs he is my son.
I want you to help him and encourage him and be there for him.
Try your best to understand that he does not think abstractly like you do.
Understand that I love this boy with my whole life in itself, Understand I want you to protect him to the best of your ability from children and adults who do not understand about autism.
Understand that my son struggles with socializing when things like that come to other children naturally.
Understand how hard it is for me to let go of his hand and send him on when all I really want to do is protect him always.
Understand that I have the same goals for my child as most parents do only I have to work harder to help him achieve his goals.
Please remember that my child is not bad because he is throwing a fit in a store or a restaurant, or that I am not a bad parent because he is doing these things, please understand that he is over stimulated and he is having a meltdown and is just better to let him work through it.
Please Don't criticize or judge for things you do not understand. Please My child has come to you today understand who he is and love him for who he is and not for who he isn't.
Autism is becoming more prevalent in today’s day and age. Yet there are still so many unknowns and so many people who do not understand autism. As a mother of a child with autism, here are 5 key things that I think everyone should know about autism.
1~Not all children with autism are created equal.
Just as typically developing children can vary depending on their personality, genetics, and environment, the same holds true for children with autism. It is called a spectrum disorder because there are so many variances in each individual. Keep in mind that there are different categories under the autism umbrella (classic autism, Asperger's Syndrome, high functioning autism and PDD-NOS) and each one has their own strengths and weaknesses. Each child with autism looks different.
2~ Autism can be treated, but there is not a cure.Please do not lump all parents into the same group as those that think their children can be cured. However, we will do everything we can that may possibly give some relief to our child. There are so many different things out there that can help some of the symptoms of autism. They will not cure autism, but they may help lessen the symptoms so that the child can be helped and they can learn coping skills.
3~Not all children with autism are "brats" and not all "brats" have autism.Suppose you are at the mall and you see a child, approximately 8-10 years old throwing a fit. He is screaming, crying, and refusing to be reasoned with. What do you immediately think? Do you assume that the that kid is a downright brat and he just needs some consistent discipline and structure? Yes, I know that there are kids out there that will be in this scenario where they are just a downright brat. But keep in mind that meltdowns like that are common for a child with autism. Do not judge the parents of the child when you do not know the entire story. Things are not always as they appear.
4~Parents of children with autism need to not be judged.Every day is a struggle. Every day is a battle. Every day has different obstacles to overcome. Keep in mind that children with autism often put their best behavior forward when they are around others and out in public. It takes everything in them to follow the social rules and to behave accordingly. Once they get home, where they feel safe and comfortable, their self-control often diminishes and their family receives the brunt of the release. Do not doubt a parent about how bad it can be because you may not always be privy to those behaviors.
5~All families living with autism need help and support.Even those families that have a child with high functioning autism or Aspergers. Children with classic autism have obvious needs, while those with high functioning and AS have needs that you cannot always see. Every family who has a child with autism needs non-judgmental support and the occasional shoulder to cry on. Being the parent of a child with autism is tough, no matter what end of the spectrum they fall on.
Do you know a family affected by autism?
Are there any myths or ideas that you think other should know about autism?
Do you have any questions concerning autism or how to support a family coping with autism?
This post was brought to you from Missy over at Are you there God? It’s Me. I am a stay-at-home mom to a 6 year old, 4 year old and 1 year old. I am a homeschooling, cloth diapering momma, who discusses everything; parenting and motherhood, coupons and recipes, religion and spirituality, saving money, and autism. Through all of that, I am seeking to find God in the everyday moments of my life.
As our family continues the journey of searching for answers and seeking help to understand our puzzle boy or better known as the misunderstood child, we often find amazing videos, stories and resources that inspire us.
I am inspired by the many families across the country that are willing to share their journey to remind us that we are not alone, to remind us there is hope, to remind us to keep advocating, to keep opening every door and turning over every rock to help the misunderstood be understood.
This particular video that I came across recently of course brought me to tears as I read the words across the screen of another mom sharing about her misunderstood child. Then I shared it with my daughter Savannah who's response was "Mom, This is about my brother, he is this little boy. Why doesn't everyone understand the misunderstood, Isn't it obvious?" .
Like many moms we wish it were that easy. We dream that those who stand on the sidelines watching us parent the misunderstood child will be supportive and understanding, that they won't judge our parenting or be critical of how our child responds or acts in social settings, that they won't assume they know better then us what our child needs. We can only continue to thicken our skin and march forward as we ourselves learn to understand the misunderstood who we call our precious children.
There is a line in this video that says " Perhaps there is a reason God made me this way - some message he sent me to share." I believe God has a plan and purpose for each of us. So, I have to agree that God has placed my misunderstood child into my life and yours for a purpose. So, I embrace the journey I travel understanding my misunderstood child.
