I got everything I needed to get done this morning, done. That’s pretty awesome.
That being said, it’s one of those days where I am just so beat, I ended up having to take a nap. It may seem like taking a nap is more of a choice and I guess in a way it is but for an Autism parent like myself, it’s not that simple.
I had reached a point where I was simply no longer going to be able to function. It’s hard to understand and I don’t mean any offense to regular parents out there because all parenting is tough.
So often, Autism parents are tasked with having to function on levels that regular parents rarely or ever even have to and we do so with little or no sleep. I’m not talking the odd night where you can’t sleep. I’m talking long term, chronic sleep deprivation.
This is the kind of sleep deprivation that can have major impacts on your physical and mental health, not to mentions ones ability to even function.
Every family is different but this isn’t some grand secret. This is a well known issue that impacts many, if not most of the special needs parents in the world.
That’s a bit of Autism Parenting Woes 101…
As for my original point, I had reached a state where I just couldn’t stay awake any longer and I ended up having to take a nap. I was feeling woozy and even a bit nauseous. This life just takes its toll and I’ve been at it for 15 years now.
After a two hour nap, I’m feeling a little better because I have replenished some of my reserve and while I’m grateful, I know it’s not going to get me far.
That’s the thing I think the world at large doesn’t quite understand.
Sleep for an Autism parent is like replenishing the fumes in the gas tank of a car that’s already only running on fumes. Raising a child with Autism simply requires more than what limited amounts of sleep can ever replenish.
I understand totally….so hard to keep your patience (which is a requirement) when you are operating in a fog of weariness.
Rob, i can totally relate. I had to leave my work because I could not cope with the sleep deprivation and simultaneously function at work. I was working in an international organization that required alertness and commitment. I would sometimes go sleep for ten minutes in my car during work hours when I felt that I was completely dysfunctional. A nap in this scenario is not for relaxation or pleasure. It’s not an option. It’s the climactic breakdown point that your nervous system hits when your energy, sanity, and mental state reach rock bottom as a result of sleep deprivation. While i can understand that appreciating this agony requires a high level of awareness and understanding for parents who did not have to deal with autism, nonetheless, i don’t see how a few words of support and compassion would be so hard. As a parent who has had to work and study all her life (i am a doctor and a university professor), i can confirm first hand that no quantity of work can even compare to the stress and the emotional complexity of having to raise an autistic child.
Thanks for your blog!
Thank you so much for chiming in and sharing your experience. I’m torn here because while I’m so grateful you can relate and understand, you can relate and understand, which means you’re going through a great deal.
I wish I some magic words that could makes things easier but please know that you aren’t alone and if there’s ever anything I can do to help, I’m here… ☺
Hoping sleep finds you soon….
I don’t know how else to get this across to you. You’re not welcome here anymore. You have been banned several times for trolling and you simply change your username.
I feel sorry for you because you have to do this in order to feel better about yourself.
For the last time, please go away. You have burnt every bridge and your comments are not welcome.
To anyone else reading this, I don’t take banning someone lightly. This person has a long history of being an internet troll and they have multiple accounts so they can comment under different usernames. This is the latest account.
They are not a victim of my censoring something I don’t want to hear. This is an internet troll plain and simple and they are no longer welcome. I ask that you please ignore them.
It’s not that I don’t like the question, it’s the person asking. It’s from someone who’s been banned for creating multiple accounts to leave comments with. The comments were all mean spirited in nature. That’s why…
No offense Braden but the kind of exhaustion referring to is mostly limited to Autism or Special Needs parents. Any therapist can tell you that and speaking to other parents like myself or even organizations that represent this community, this is pretty common knowledge.
These are simply facts and are in no way meant to belittle or in validate what you or other parents experience. It’s just two very different things.
I hope this doesn’t offend you because I truly don’t mean it in that manner.
It’s kinda like talking about the stress levels between the two types of parenting. All parenting is stressful but it’s been proven that Autism parents experience levels of stress equal to that of combat soldiers.
It’s not to say that typical parents don’t experience stress, it’s just not the same as Autism parents.
I didn’t mind either question but the other commentor is just trying to twist what I said.
Maybe I shouldn’t make too big of a thing over this, but like this individual who is bothering you, I’m not too fond of the combat veteran/ autism parent stress level comparison. Yes, I know that there was a study 6 or 7 years ago that said something to effect that autism parents typically display a low level of a certain hormone which is an indicator of stress on the same level as a combat veteran. I just think there are better ways to explain stress levels of parenting an autistic child as opposed to a neurotypical child. I happen to have one of each. My experience is that you have to spend a lot more time parenting an autistic child – both active, hands on parenting (redirecting, making teachable moments out of everyday situations that parents of neurotypical kids can take for granted, etc), as well as indirect (crafting IEPs, consulting with therapists and school personnel, planning for such meetings, thinking about and making daily living charts, worrying about who will take care of your kid when you die, etc). The additional hours that have to be spent on parenting do take a toll.
On the flip side, however, some people deal with stress better than others, regardless of what their circumstances are. To use the combat analogy for a moment, two soldiers can endure the same experience and both may not suffer from PTSD.
I don’t like getting into stress level comparisons – I’m not going to minimize anyone else’s stress levels or circumstances, but I just don’t like the combat veteran comparison because unlike combat, parenting is basically the most rewarding human experience, even if it is challenging. It’s the same reason why I wouldn’t compare parenting stress levels to those of a rape victim. I guess I just think the whole “warrior mom/parent” thing is silly. We’re not going into battle – it’s parenting, and I just don’t see it as a war. I don’t think that’s a particularly healthy approach. But to each his or her own.
Sorry for the rant. I know that it’s all just a way of explaining that you’re stressed. I just think there are better ways to explain that stress which are more consistent with your purposes of raising awareness and understanding. I could be wrong, but I just think that the combat veteran comparison probably compells more eye rolls than it does helping to give an idea of your stress levels.
Again, sorry for the rant. Maybe I’m just a little stressed out…
I didn’t have a chance to read your entire comment but I just want to say that you’re totally fine. I get what your saying but I personally like the comparison because it helps to make a point.
No one’s saying it’s the same kind of stress but that it’s having the same impact on the individual.
Anyway, I hope things are okay on your end… ☺
I’ll answer this even though this user has been banned for trolling several times under several different usernames.
I would think that a parent who works full time wouldn’t have anything negative to say about me taking a nap when I need to. Many parents I’ve spoken with look at work as something of a break.
Other Autism parents generally understand and show something known as compassion to other in similar circumstance.
Welcome back. I see you’ve chosen a new screen name again.
I don’t think you can fully understand until you live it. I have 2 autistic boys. And for almost 10 years I’ve survived on 0-2 hours sleep a night, no naps for me, I work full time as a teacher and when I’m not at work I have my boys….. It really is a different level. ….. Good spell recently though thanks to melatonin I’m on about 4 hrs …. Broken sleep … Just saying.
Lesley,
I get it as much I can without actually being in your shoes. I have three kids with Autism and the oldest has very fragile health. I’ve worked since I was 15 years old all the way until our lives reached a point that in order to care for my oldest, I needed to work from home.
I have a letter from the Cleveland Clinic stating that Gavin requires my 24/7 care and supervision.
I have to perform 2 IVIG infusions on him per week and do everything else one needs to do for kids with Autism. I have the help and support of my wife but frankly, she has chronic health and emotional health issues that limit her abilities.
While I no longer working outside the home, I’m devoting all that time an energy to the care of my oldest, while the other two are in school.
Like you, I get very little sleep and I’ve have to take advantage of the time that Gavin’s sleeping off his morning meds to nap when I need to.
Thank you for sharing your story. I have nothing but respect for you..
Have a great afternoon..
I am hoping this was meant as hyperbole and that people take it as such. If not, this is not healthy for anyone and would place one in such a state of cognitive dysfunction that the ability to function productively let alone teach would be severely compromised.
There is a reason when the plane is going down you put your air mask on first then your children’s.
You’re right and that’s a lesson Lizze and I learned the hard way. We put everything into our kids and completely neglected ourselves. We both fell apart. Having learned from our mistakes, we are making a significant effort to make things better in that department.
I get what you’re say and I thought I said that were talking about two different situations. As for the comment nesting, it is kind of annoying how disqus doesn’t keep things better organized….
It’s obnoxious that you run for people on Facebook to back up your assertion that you have it worse than I do. Despite posting right here it’s only ‘different’.
You have zero idea about what I put up with everyday. Not a clue. so while I might not have to put up with your particular challenges, doesn’t mean we all don’t have them.
But circles the wagons and have them all come in and tell you how right you are… Or try and use my legimitate comment on napping being a rarity for most parents as a way to act like were picked on ..either way, I won’t bother trying to engage anymore. You have no interest in discussing anything. Hell, the second you are challenged you respond with ‘agree to disagree’ with out even trying to defend your position.
And please don’t insult me by saying that wasn’t your intention.
I asked for people to come share their experience. I didn’t ask for backup because it’s not about being right or wrong but rather having more people share their unique experience.
I’m sorry you don’t like that but this isn’t a contest. My goal is to educate and the more voices there are speaking on a particular topic of interest, the more information my readers can absorb.
You read way, way too much into that…
Rob, i can totally relate. I had to leave my work because I could not cope with the sleep deprivation and simultaneously function at work. I was working in an international organization that required alertness and commitment. I would sometimes go sleep for ten minutes in my car during work hours when I felt that I was completely dysfunctional. A nap in this scenario is not for relaxation or pleasure. It’s not an option. It’s the climactic breakdown point that your nervous system hits when your energy, sanity, and mental state reach rock bottom as a result of sleep deprivation. While i can understand that appreciating this agony requires a high level of awareness and understanding for parents who did not have to deal with autism, nonetheless, i don’t see how a few words of support and compassion would be so hard. As a parent who has had to work and study all her life (i am a doctor and a university professor), i can confirm first hand that no quantity of work can even compare to the stress and the emotional complexity of having to raise an autistic child.
Thanks for your blog!
Thank you so much for chiming in and sharing your experience. I’m torn here because while I’m so grateful you can relate and understand, you can relate and understand, which means you’re going through a great deal.
I wish I some magic words that could makes things easier but please know that you aren’t alone and if there’s ever anything I can do to help, I’m here… ☺
Hoping sleep finds you soon….
So…you no longer work because of exhaustion? Or are you saying home stress is tougher than work stress?
I can understand that…but people need to do both in most circumstances, so walking around tired is a default setting. while I can appreciate special needs parenting is more hands on, it doesn’t mean other parents are not always exhausted either. And this isn’t meant as a comparison of levels, because that is subjective. My original comment was that taking a daily 2-3 hour nap is a luxury not afforded to most parents. Period.
I personally have to work. And it’s not a break from family life. It’s a fact of life. I have obligations and this is how they are met. So living tired is just how it is…for every parent I know.
Braden, this is just something you can’t really understand unless you’re living it. There is a world of difference in most cases anyway, between typical parenting and Autism Parenting.
No one ever said anything about taking a daily 2 or 3 hour nap.
Again, I totally respect your opinion but we’re talking two very different things here…
I don’t know how else to get this across to you. You’re not welcome here anymore. You have been banned several times for trolling and you simply change your username.
I feel sorry for you because you have to do this in order to feel better about yourself.
For the last time, please go away. You have burnt every bridge and your comments are not welcome.
To anyone else reading this, I don’t take banning someone lightly. This person has a long history of being an internet troll and they have multiple accounts so they can comment under different usernames. This is the latest account.
They are not a victim of my censoring something I don’t want to hear. This is an internet troll plain and simple and they are no longer welcome. I ask that you please ignore them.
Before I go, let me say this. I had two user names, Moe and Zoe. Zoe happened by accident it was a typo and I liked Zoe better. I NEVER created an account only ever posted as a guest. As for the ban, well if I were actually ever banned how can I still post? You say you have my IP address and you are super techy, but here I am.
I’m not a troll, I bring up conversations no one else does, and you don’t like them period. You don’t like being called out.
So, in closing, you win, congratulations you have it the worst of anyone EVER, even soldiers that risk death on a daily basis. You never have help, despite your parents or Lizzie’s parents taking the boys at least once a week and getting a nap in daily. The government doesn’t ‘pay’ you enough, despite the fact you all have laptops, tablets, cell phones, firesticks, etc.
I kind of wish I had never found your page because you have totally tainted my view of autism parents. I automatically assume they are all whiney layabouts that do nothing but moan about how bad they have it and how no one can ever understand.
I’ll stick to the autism parents that enlighten and educate on the subject. The ones that keep it real and are able to function in the world without daily ‘woe is me’ posts. Ta ta Rob, I sincerely hope that Gavin gets what he needs, he is a good boy and the only reason I kept reading your blog
I tend to agree with this. Perhaps it’s just me but I find you more negative since Lizze came back…
Did you just delete their comment???
Yes I did. They have been banned more times than I can remember and continue to create new accounts to leave their comments. This isn’t censorship, it’s enforcing my decision to remove someone who has continuously abused their right to have their comments be heard.
As the owner of this site, it’s my right to remove someone if I feel it’s necessary. It’s only happened 3 times in 8 years.
I was cleaning old bookmarks and saw this blog I don’t frequent anymore and probably no one will read this since this is so old, but that is patently untrue. I was a supporter whose comment was summarily deleted (even sent you money) and you deleted a comment that was topical, rational and dead on when you inexplicably took Lizze back . It was done with the flimsiest of excuses that it was “to protect the boys”. There are things here they’ll read that’s much worse. I have not and never will be a troll. I suggested services, pathways to assistance, after all your home complaints on safety I offered solutions on taking what equity you have and renting in a safer place, and on and on. You deleted my comment because it hit to the heart of the matter , I was dead on and 5 regulars contacted me to say they agreed. Also, you were challenged online about deleting that comment as well. I also stopped supporting the blog because as @Sophie Wegat rightly asserted you became more negative, suppressed free expression and became more defensive. If you want ad revenue and want to be a harbinger of light or advice for a large community, suppression of dissent is not cool. If this was merely a private page you have the right to dictate, but there’s an unspoken rule on sites that are for profit, as yours is, you take the negative as well as the positive. With your deleting of critical posts you demean the entire narrative.
You do , do good. But it’s less effective when visitors are given a sanitized version where you shape the story. This troll….that you apparently banned, why not let the comments stand as it would strengthen the notion, hey, this is a fair place to be. Smart people know trolls….they’re in every comment section on blogs, Facebook, all social media in general . By suppressing their free expression you’ve created a total censorship issue on a for profit site. Kim brought up a good point too, sometimes there IS truth there.. it may not be pleasant to read but it can help you see things very clearly, even from a negative source . I’d think again about banning. That’s the ULTIMATE censorship move.
You do lots of good in your community. It’s healthy to be sble to defend your positions.
Anyway, deleting bookmarks brought me back tonight and I’ll read a few posts, but so far it’s the same cyclical posts. Having someone to spar with would actually drive more traffic, my husband is an IT expert turned financial advisor and as I showed him back awhile ago my very on topic was deleted for zero good reason. At the time he remarked how foolish that is in a traffic driven blog.
I still wish you and your boys very well, but the problems always seem to be the same and no different moves are ever made on the way you live your life …..that’s why there’s an unending cycle of pessimism, drama and heartbreak. Good luck, and I truly mean that, if this commment is not censured/deleted. With all due respect, Alyssa. My real and only name since I use Facebook exclusively to sign in to this system. I’ll poke around befire I leave again but sadly, and I hope I’m wrong I’ll see posts about your heart breaking, no money and the kids uncontrollable. I wish you well, but the only way to truly change circumstances is to change your way of doing things.
I was cleaning old bookmarks and saw this blog I don’t frequent anymore and probably no one will read this since this is so old, but that is patently untrue. I was a supporter whose comment was summarily deleted (even sent you money) and you deleted a comment that was topical, rational and dead on when you inexplicably took Lizze back . It was done with the flimsiest of excuses that it was “to protect the boys”. There are things here they’ll read that’s much worse. I have not and never will be a troll. I suggested services, pathways to assistance, after all your home complaints on safety I offered solutions on taking what equity you have and renting in a safer place, and on and on. You deleted my comment because it hit to the heart of the matter , I was dead on and 5 regulars contacted me to say they agreed. Also, you were challenged online about deleting that comment as well. I also stopped supporting the blog because as @Sophie Wegat rightly asserted you became more negative, suppressed free expression and became more defensive. If you want ad revenue and want to be a harbinger of light or advice for a large community, suppression of dissent is not cool. If this was merely a private page you have the right to dictate, but there’s an unspoken rule on sites that are for profit, as yours is, you take the negative as well as the positive. With your deleting of critical posts you demean the entire narrative.
You do , do good. But it’s less effective when visitors are given a sanitized version where you shape the story. This troll….that you apparently banned, why not let the comments stand as it would strengthen the notion, hey, this is a fair place to be. Smart people know trolls….they’re in every comment section on blogs, Facebook, all social media in general . By suppressing their free expression you’ve created a total censorship issue on a for profit site. Kim brought up a good point too, sometimes there IS truth there.. it may not be pleasant to read but it can help you see things very clearly, even from a negative source . I’d think again about banning. That’s the ULTIMATE censorship move.
You do lots of good in your community. It’s healthy to be sble to defend your positions.
Anyway, deleting bookmarks brought me back tonight and I’ll read a few posts, but so far it’s the same cyclical posts. Having someone to spar with would actually drive more traffic, my husband is an IT expert turned financial advisor and as I showed him back awhile ago my very on topic was deleted for zero good reason. At the time he remarked how foolish that is in a traffic driven blog.
I still wish you and your boys very well, but the problems always seem to be the same and no different moves are ever made on the way you live your life …..that’s why there’s an unending cycle of pessimism, drama and heartbreak. Good luck, and I truly mean that, if this commment is not censured/deleted. With all due respect, Alyssa. My real and only name since I use Facebook exclusively to sign in to this system. I’ll poke around befire I leave again but sadly, and I hope I’m wrong I’ll see posts about your heart breaking, no money and the kids uncontrollable. I wish you well, but the only way to truly change circumstances is to change your way of doing things.
You’re welcome to your opinion but you understand you’re agreeing with the worst troll I’ve had to deal with since I started 8 years ago. She’s making things up to fit her agenda.. I wrote a long response but Disqus chewed it up.
You guys are all welcome to your opinions and I respect them but you aren’t living my life and have no idea whether or not I’m being negative or telling it how it is.
I’m comfortable being more honest since my family’s been put back together. When Lizze was gone, I was very careful what I said and I wasn’t comfortable being as open and transparent as I usually am.
Please don’t base your opinion on by issues with one internet troll.
Welcome back. I see you’ve chosen a new screen name again.
It’s not that I don’t like the question, it’s the person asking. It’s from someone who’s been banned for creating multiple accounts to leave comments with. The comments were all mean spirited in nature. That’s why…
No offense Braden but the kind of exhaustion referring to is mostly limited to Autism or Special Needs parents. Any therapist can tell you that and speaking to other parents like myself or even organizations that represent this community, this is pretty common knowledge.
These are simply facts and are in no way meant to belittle or in validate what you or other parents experience. It’s just two very different things.
I hope this doesn’t offend you because I truly don’t mean it in that manner.
It’s kinda like talking about the stress levels between the two types of parenting. All parenting is stressful but it’s been proven that Autism parents experience levels of stress equal to that of combat soldiers.
It’s not to say that typical parents don’t experience stress, it’s just not the same as Autism parents.
I didn’t mind either question but the other commentor is just trying to twist what I said.
Maybe I shouldn’t make too big of a thing over this, but like this individual who is bothering you, I’m not too fond of the combat veteran/ autism parent stress level comparison. Yes, I know that there was a study 6 or 7 years ago that said something to effect that autism parents typically display a low level of a certain hormone which is an indicator of stress on the same level as a combat veteran. I just think there are better ways to explain stress levels of parenting an autistic child as opposed to a neurotypical child. I happen to have one of each. My experience is that you have to spend a lot more time parenting an autistic child – both active, hands on parenting (redirecting, making teachable moments out of everyday situations that parents of neurotypical kids can take for granted, etc), as well as indirect (crafting IEPs, consulting with therapists and school personnel, planning for such meetings, thinking about and making daily living charts, worrying about who will take care of your kid when you die, etc). The additional hours that have to be spent on parenting do take a toll.
On the flip side, however, some people deal with stress better than others, regardless of what their circumstances are. To use the combat analogy for a moment, two soldiers can endure the same experience and both may not suffer from PTSD.
I don’t like getting into stress level comparisons – I’m not going to minimize anyone else’s stress levels or circumstances, but I just don’t like the combat veteran comparison because unlike combat, parenting is basically the most rewarding human experience, even if it is challenging. It’s the same reason why I wouldn’t compare parenting stress levels to those of a rape victim. I guess I just think the whole “warrior mom/parent” thing is silly. We’re not going into battle – it’s parenting, and I just don’t see it as a war. I don’t think that’s a particularly healthy approach. But to each his or her own.
Sorry for the rant. I know that it’s all just a way of explaining that you’re stressed. I just think there are better ways to explain that stress which are more consistent with your purposes of raising awareness and understanding. I could be wrong, but I just think that the combat veteran comparison probably compells more eye rolls than it does helping to give an idea of your stress levels.
Again, sorry for the rant. Maybe I’m just a little stressed out…
I didn’t have a chance to read your entire comment but I just want to say that you’re totally fine. I get what your saying but I personally like the comparison because it helps to make a point.
No one’s saying it’s the same kind of stress but that it’s having the same impact on the individual.
Anyway, I hope things are okay on your end… ☺
Good morning, Rob. I would like to add my name to those who dislike the comparison to combat veterans, and I don’t feel that it is helping you make any points. After I saw you mention it a few times, I found and read the study you mention; it was barely a study. It was a small group of women who were interviewed over an 8 day period and had their cortisol levels checked twice. That is really not much of a study to me. The other issue I have is that I think it takes away from the stress that men and women in combat face. I’m not saying that autism parenting isn’t hard and stressful because I know that it is, but I don’t think it can compare to sleeping in a hole and hoping the guy next to you didn’t fall asleep on his watch and allow the enemy to get close enough to shoot, or worry that at any moment you could be hanging out trying to nap only to end up with a mortar round through the shoulder.
As for Moe/Zoe, trolls are trolls. But in my time on the internet, I have learned not to discount what they say. Sure, they might be saying something just to get a rise out of their target, but that doesn’t mean that what they’re saying isn’t valid. Her (I am assuming it’s a her) approach might not be the prettiest, but sometimes she is dead-on with her questions or criticisms. And love her or hate her, she is bringing traffic and discussion to this blog and that means more ad hits for you.
We’ll have to agree to disagree but I respect your opinion. As for Moe/Zoe, everything about her approach is deceitful. Multiple accounts so she can leave different comments. Creates a new account when she’s banned. It’s like she’s obsessed with this blog and as the owner of said blog, I reserve the right to remove her.
That said, you’re right about bringing traffic but that’s the only positive thing she brings to the table.
I also forgot to wish you a good morning as well.. ☺
I agree.
Thanks Rob – all is OK here…
I understand why you use the study to explain your stress levels but I just don’t think it’s the best way for you to describe it, particularly to those who are not in the proverbial autism trenches with you. It’s not going to get your point across as well as simply giving examples, as you often do so well, of the hyper- vigilant parenting that autism requires you to undertake, the additional time and effort that must be expended, etc. that parents of neurotypical kids just don’t experience.
Either way, I get it.
I guess I try to use it to help people wrap their heads around the extraordinary levels of stress that Autism parents live with.
There’s really no other scale that can measure stress in these types of parenting situations.
I know people are taking this personally but Autism parenting is simply in a different universe than typical parenting resides in.
It’s not that parents in general don’t feel stressed out but the stress is different. Everything is relative..
That’s just it – I really don’t imagine that the combat veteran study really helps anyone not experiencing it understand. And there’s no reason to try to “measure” or quantify stress. As soon as you start doing that, you’re going to piss people off because it comes across like you are trying to compare stress levels. Just use specific examples about your every day experience (i.e. you can’t even send teenager Gavin to the rest room in a public place without concern that he’ll disappear) about things hat most parents can take for granted (you can’t even assume that your boys will be able to put on their socks and shoes on any given day because of sensory challenges). The constant adjustments that have to be made, and thinking about so many things that so many parents can take for granted is what takes its toll. You often explain that very well. I think enough examples of that would make an uniformed person sit back and say “holy crap that’s a lot to deal with” – an analogy to combat veterans, as I said above, is more likely to be met with eye rolls.
Just offering an opinion which I think will help you better achieve your objective and better communicate with your audience.
I’ll answer this even though this user has been banned for trolling several times under several different usernames.
I would think that a parent who works full time wouldn’t have anything negative to say about me taking a nap when I need to. Many parents I’ve spoken with look at work as something of a break.
Other Autism parents generally understand and show something known as compassion to other in similar circumstance.
Rob, i can totally relate. I had to leave my work because I could not cope with the sleep deprivation and simultaneously function at work. I was working in an international organization that required alertness and commitment. I would sometimes go sleep for ten minutes in my car during work hours when I felt that I was completely dysfunctional. A nap in this scenario is not for relaxation or pleasure. It’s not an option. It’s the climactic breakdown point that your nervous system hits when your energy, sanity, and mental state reach rock bottom as a result of sleep deprivation. While i can understand that appreciating this agony requires a high level of awareness and understanding for parents who did not have to deal with autism, nonetheless, i don’t see how a few words of support and compassion would be so hard. As a parent who has had to work and study all her life (i am a doctor and a university professor), i can confirm first hand that no quantity of work can even compare to the stress and the emotional complexity of having to raise an autistic child.
Thanks for your blog!
Thank you so much for chiming in and sharing your experience. I’m torn here because while I’m so grateful you can relate and understand, you can relate and understand, which means you’re going through a great deal.
I wish I some magic words that could makes things easier but please know that you aren’t alone and if there’s ever anything I can do to help, I’m here… ☺
Hoping sleep finds you soon….
I don’t know how else to get this across to you. You’re not welcome here anymore. You have been banned several times for trolling and you simply change your username.
I feel sorry for you because you have to do this in order to feel better about yourself.
For the last time, please go away. You have burnt every bridge and your comments are not welcome.
To anyone else reading this, I don’t take banning someone lightly. This person has a long history of being an internet troll and they have multiple accounts so they can comment under different usernames. This is the latest account.
They are not a victim of my censoring something I don’t want to hear. This is an internet troll plain and simple and they are no longer welcome. I ask that you please ignore them.
I’ll answer this even though this user has been banned for trolling several times under several different usernames.
I would think that a parent who works full time wouldn’t have anything negative to say about me taking a nap when I need to. Many parents I’ve spoken with look at work as something of a break.
Other Autism parents generally understand and show something known as compassion to other in similar circumstance.
It’s not that I don’t like the question, it’s the person asking. It’s from someone who’s been banned for creating multiple accounts to leave comments with. The comments were all mean spirited in nature. That’s why…
No offense Braden but the kind of exhaustion referring to is mostly limited to Autism or Special Needs parents. Any therapist can tell you that and speaking to other parents like myself or even organizations that represent this community, this is pretty common knowledge.
These are simply facts and are in no way meant to belittle or in validate what you or other parents experience. It’s just two very different things.
I hope this doesn’t offend you because I truly don’t mean it in that manner.
It’s kinda like talking about the stress levels between the two types of parenting. All parenting is stressful but it’s been proven that Autism parents experience levels of stress equal to that of combat soldiers.
It’s not to say that typical parents don’t experience stress, it’s just not the same as Autism parents.
I didn’t mind either question but the other commentor is just trying to twist what I said.
Maybe I shouldn’t make too big of a thing over this, but like this individual who is bothering you, I’m not too fond of the combat veteran/ autism parent stress level comparison. Yes, I know that there was a study 6 or 7 years ago that said something to effect that autism parents typically display a low level of a certain hormone which is an indicator of stress on the same level as a combat veteran. I just think there are better ways to explain stress levels of parenting an autistic child as opposed to a neurotypical child. I happen to have one of each. My experience is that you have to spend a lot more time parenting an autistic child – both active, hands on parenting (redirecting, making teachable moments out of everyday situations that parents of neurotypical kids can take for granted, etc), as well as indirect (crafting IEPs, consulting with therapists and school personnel, planning for such meetings, thinking about and making daily living charts, worrying about who will take care of your kid when you die, etc). The additional hours that have to be spent on parenting do take a toll.
On the flip side, however, some people deal with stress better than others, regardless of what their circumstances are. To use the combat analogy for a moment, two soldiers can endure the same experience and both may not suffer from PTSD.
I don’t like getting into stress level comparisons – I’m not going to minimize anyone else’s stress levels or circumstances, but I just don’t like the combat veteran comparison because unlike combat, parenting is basically the most rewarding human experience, even if it is challenging. It’s the same reason why I wouldn’t compare parenting stress levels to those of a rape victim. I guess I just think the whole “warrior mom/parent” thing is silly. We’re not going into battle – it’s parenting, and I just don’t see it as a war. I don’t think that’s a particularly healthy approach. But to each his or her own.
Sorry for the rant. I know that it’s all just a way of explaining that you’re stressed. I just think there are better ways to explain that stress which are more consistent with your purposes of raising awareness and understanding. I could be wrong, but I just think that the combat veteran comparison probably compells more eye rolls than it does helping to give an idea of your stress levels.
Again, sorry for the rant. Maybe I’m just a little stressed out…
I didn’t have a chance to read your entire comment but I just want to say that you’re totally fine. I get what your saying but I personally like the comparison because it helps to make a point.
No one’s saying it’s the same kind of stress but that it’s having the same impact on the individual.
Anyway, I hope things are okay on your end… ☺
Welcome back. I see you’ve chosen a new screen name again.
Raising a super hyper ADHD kid with insomnia is like that, too. But I hear you from the other side, I come from auties, I’m #actuallyautistic, and I have very clear memories of parents switching off over me screaming in the night. My mom would even cry with exhaustion while she would rub my legs or my stomach. My dad was neither sweet nor too stern, but since he worked 2 jobs, I caught on fairly soon that it was a big deal if he got up to talk to me. And it was every little thing bugging me, had to have everything just so and nighttime was a very long nightmare of being alone and in the dark for me. As I grew older I’d walk around the house, even took a screen off the window one night and climbed up a tree out of boredom. To all the autism parents losing sleep- {{{HUG}}} from one of the kids who grew up.
It’s so nice to meet you. Thank you for your insight…:)
I don’t think you can fully understand until you live it. I have 2 autistic boys. And for almost 10 years I’ve survived on 0-2 hours sleep a night, no naps for me, I work full time as a teacher and when I’m not at work I have my boys….. It really is a different level. ….. Good spell recently though thanks to melatonin I’m on about 4 hrs …. Broken sleep … Just saying.
Lesley,
I get it as much I can without actually being in your shoes. I have three kids with Autism and the oldest has very fragile health. I’ve worked since I was 15 years old all the way until our lives reached a point that in order to care for my oldest, I needed to work from home.
I have a letter from the Cleveland Clinic stating that Gavin requires my 24/7 care and supervision.
I have to perform 2 IVIG infusions on him per week and do everything else one needs to do for kids with Autism. I have the help and support of my wife but frankly, she has chronic health and emotional health issues that limit her abilities.
While I no longer working outside the home, I’m devoting all that time an energy to the care of my oldest, while the other two are in school.
Like you, I get very little sleep and I’ve have to take advantage of the time that Gavin’s sleeping off his morning meds to nap when I need to.
Thank you for sharing your story. I have nothing but respect for you..
Have a great afternoon..
I am hoping this was meant as hyperbole and that people take it as such. If not, this is not healthy for anyone and would place one in such a state of cognitive dysfunction that the ability to function productively let alone teach would be severely compromised.
There is a reason when the plane is going down you put your air mask on first then your children’s.
You’re right and that’s a lesson Lizze and I learned the hard way. We put everything into our kids and completely neglected ourselves. We both fell apart. Having learned from our mistakes, we are making a significant effort to make things better in that department.
I get what you’re say and I thought I said that were talking about two different situations. As for the comment nesting, it is kind of annoying how disqus doesn’t keep things better organized….
It’s obnoxious that you run for people on Facebook to back up your assertion that you have it worse than I do. Despite posting right here it’s only ‘different’.
You have zero idea about what I put up with everyday. Not a clue. so while I might not have to put up with your particular challenges, doesn’t mean we all don’t have them.
But circles the wagons and have them all come in and tell you how right you are… Or try and use my legimitate comment on napping being a rarity for most parents as a way to act like were picked on ..either way, I won’t bother trying to engage anymore. You have no interest in discussing anything. Hell, the second you are challenged you respond with ‘agree to disagree’ with out even trying to defend your position.
And please don’t insult me by saying that wasn’t your intention.
I asked for people to come share their experience. I didn’t ask for backup because it’s not about being right or wrong but rather having more people share their unique experience.
I’m sorry you don’t like that but this isn’t a contest. My goal is to educate and the more voices there are speaking on a particular topic of interest, the more information my readers can absorb.
You read way, way too much into that…
Rob, i can totally relate. I had to leave my work because I could not cope with the sleep deprivation and simultaneously function at work. I was working in an international organization that required alertness and commitment. I would sometimes go sleep for ten minutes in my car during work hours when I felt that I was completely dysfunctional. A nap in this scenario is not for relaxation or pleasure. It’s not an option. It’s the climactic breakdown point that your nervous system hits when your energy, sanity, and mental state reach rock bottom as a result of sleep deprivation. While i can understand that appreciating this agony requires a high level of awareness and understanding for parents who did not have to deal with autism, nonetheless, i don’t see how a few words of support and compassion would be so hard. As a parent who has had to work and study all her life (i am a doctor and a university professor), i can confirm first hand that no quantity of work can even compare to the stress and the emotional complexity of having to raise an autistic child.
Thanks for your blog!
Thank you so much for chiming in and sharing your experience. I’m torn here because while I’m so grateful you can relate and understand, you can relate and understand, which means you’re going through a great deal.
I wish I some magic words that could makes things easier but please know that you aren’t alone and if there’s ever anything I can do to help, I’m here… ☺
Hoping sleep finds you soon….
So…you no longer work because of exhaustion? Or are you saying home stress is tougher than work stress?
I can understand that…but people need to do both in most circumstances, so walking around tired is a default setting. while I can appreciate special needs parenting is more hands on, it doesn’t mean other parents are not always exhausted either. And this isn’t meant as a comparison of levels, because that is subjective. My original comment was that taking a daily 2-3 hour nap is a luxury not afforded to most parents. Period.
I personally have to work. And it’s not a break from family life. It’s a fact of life. I have obligations and this is how they are met. So living tired is just how it is…for every parent I know.
Braden, this is just something you can’t really understand unless you’re living it. There is a world of difference in most cases anyway, between typical parenting and Autism Parenting.
No one ever said anything about taking a daily 2 or 3 hour nap.
Again, I totally respect your opinion but we’re talking two very different things here…
I don’t know how else to get this across to you. You’re not welcome here anymore. You have been banned several times for trolling and you simply change your username.
I feel sorry for you because you have to do this in order to feel better about yourself.
For the last time, please go away. You have burnt every bridge and your comments are not welcome.
To anyone else reading this, I don’t take banning someone lightly. This person has a long history of being an internet troll and they have multiple accounts so they can comment under different usernames. This is the latest account.
They are not a victim of my censoring something I don’t want to hear. This is an internet troll plain and simple and they are no longer welcome. I ask that you please ignore them.
Before I go, let me say this. I had two user names, Moe and Zoe. Zoe happened by accident it was a typo and I liked Zoe better. I NEVER created an account only ever posted as a guest. As for the ban, well if I were actually ever banned how can I still post? You say you have my IP address and you are super techy, but here I am.
I’m not a troll, I bring up conversations no one else does, and you don’t like them period. You don’t like being called out.
So, in closing, you win, congratulations you have it the worst of anyone EVER, even soldiers that risk death on a daily basis. You never have help, despite your parents or Lizzie’s parents taking the boys at least once a week and getting a nap in daily. The government doesn’t ‘pay’ you enough, despite the fact you all have laptops, tablets, cell phones, firesticks, etc.
I kind of wish I had never found your page because you have totally tainted my view of autism parents. I automatically assume they are all whiney layabouts that do nothing but moan about how bad they have it and how no one can ever understand.
I’ll stick to the autism parents that enlighten and educate on the subject. The ones that keep it real and are able to function in the world without daily ‘woe is me’ posts. Ta ta Rob, I sincerely hope that Gavin gets what he needs, he is a good boy and the only reason I kept reading your blog
I tend to agree with this. Perhaps it’s just me but I find you more negative since Lizze came back…
Did you just delete their comment???
Yes I did. They have been banned more times than I can remember and continue to create new accounts to leave their comments. This isn’t censorship, it’s enforcing my decision to remove someone who has continuously abused their right to have their comments be heard.
As the owner of this site, it’s my right to remove someone if I feel it’s necessary. It’s only happened 3 times in 8 years.
I was cleaning old bookmarks and saw this blog I don’t frequent anymore and probably no one will read this since this is so old, but that is patently untrue. I was a supporter whose comment was summarily deleted (even sent you money) and you deleted a comment that was topical, rational and dead on when you inexplicably took Lizze back . It was done with the flimsiest of excuses that it was “to protect the boys”. There are things here they’ll read that’s much worse. I have not and never will be a troll. I suggested services, pathways to assistance, after all your home complaints on safety I offered solutions on taking what equity you have and renting in a safer place, and on and on. You deleted my comment because it hit to the heart of the matter , I was dead on and 5 regulars contacted me to say they agreed. Also, you were challenged online about deleting that comment as well. I also stopped supporting the blog because as @Sophie Wegat rightly asserted you became more negative, suppressed free expression and became more defensive. If you want ad revenue and want to be a harbinger of light or advice for a large community, suppression of dissent is not cool. If this was merely a private page you have the right to dictate, but there’s an unspoken rule on sites that are for profit, as yours is, you take the negative as well as the positive. With your deleting of critical posts you demean the entire narrative.
You do , do good. But it’s less effective when visitors are given a sanitized version where you shape the story. This troll….that you apparently banned, why not let the comments stand as it would strengthen the notion, hey, this is a fair place to be. Smart people know trolls….they’re in every comment section on blogs, Facebook, all social media in general . By suppressing their free expression you’ve created a total censorship issue on a for profit site. Kim brought up a good point too, sometimes there IS truth there.. it may not be pleasant to read but it can help you see things very clearly, even from a negative source . I’d think again about banning. That’s the ULTIMATE censorship move.
You do lots of good in your community. It’s healthy to be sble to defend your positions.
Anyway, deleting bookmarks brought me back tonight and I’ll read a few posts, but so far it’s the same cyclical posts. Having someone to spar with would actually drive more traffic, my husband is an IT expert turned financial advisor and as I showed him back awhile ago my very on topic was deleted for zero good reason. At the time he remarked how foolish that is in a traffic driven blog.
I still wish you and your boys very well, but the problems always seem to be the same and no different moves are ever made on the way you live your life …..that’s why there’s an unending cycle of pessimism, drama and heartbreak. Good luck, and I truly mean that, if this commment is not censured/deleted. With all due respect, Alyssa. My real and only name since I use Facebook exclusively to sign in to this system. I’ll poke around befire I leave again but sadly, and I hope I’m wrong I’ll see posts about your heart breaking, no money and the kids uncontrollable. I wish you well, but the only way to truly change circumstances is to change your way of doing things.
Alyssa,
I’m not sure why we have to rehash the past. The last few years have been very difficult and I’m sorry for having offended you.
I know you felt censored but I did what I felt was the right thing to do and at the end of the day, you’re welcome to your opinion but I need to manage this blog as I feel best.
As I recall, you were very much against a reconciliation that fine but it’s my life and just so you know, we’re doing great. Life isn’t easy but nothing about Autism parenting is.
I wish you’d reconsider because you always had good insight and ideas to share. We disagreed over one comment..
I wish you the best and thank you again for all your support in the past..
Sorry, just stumbled in and it got my goat a bit, I appreciate your delineating in the other comment in this thread what was going on with you. Thanks for hearing me out, too.
No worries and you’re welcome. It’s really nice to hear from. You again..
See I don’t agree “nothing about autism parenting is easy”. We’ve had a big year with diagnosis (ASD but not,going into detail for privacy) but we still manage to have a good life and focus on positives. Sadly like Alyssa I see the same complaints over and over with no perceived effort to make changes. I’ve also stopped visiting as it’s getting old.
I completely understand it’s your life, your choices but I see such a negative change since your reconciliation. Maybe you were just putting on the happiness while you were separated but it’s so sad to see all the old stuff come up again.
Anyway I wish you luck, I was alerted to new comments which bought me back here.
Look, I know you weren’t a troll. I’ve been thinking and I’d like to apologize for removing your comment. It’s not something I did lightly but I need you to understand that I was in a place where I was being bombarded with negative comments from certain people who went to great lengths just to leave them. I was fed up and frustrated.
You have my sincerest apologies for reacting to your comment the way I did.
I know it didn’t come from a bad place. Just remember that I was dealing with something I’d never dealt with before and I didn’t always do well….
Thank you, Rob, that means a lot. I was very hurt you removed it. But thanks for extrapolating a bit more that decision. Everything I’ve posted , even in disagreement has been with your family’s welfare as the basis of that particular opinion.
My pleasure… ☺
See that’s the thing. I’m not a troll at all. I speak truth and don’t sugar coat it. I bring another side of the conversation that may not be pleasant but it’s fact. I’ve never said anything that rob hasn’t already said. And I’ve never made twisted anything to fit my ‘agenda’. I simply don’t have an agenda. I offer suggestions as do other people, but he take so it’s as a personal attack because he doesn’t like it.
Now this is your third username…. You never offer anything productive and I appreciate everyone who offers well thought out comments. Yo just don’t fit that criteria….
I was cleaning old bookmarks and saw this blog I don’t frequent anymore and probably no one will read this since this is so old, but that is patently untrue. I was a supporter whose comment was summarily deleted (even sent you money) and you deleted a comment that was topical, rational and dead on when you inexplicably took Lizze back . It was done with the flimsiest of excuses that it was “to protect the boys”. There are things here they’ll read that’s much worse. I have not and never will be a troll. I suggested services, pathways to assistance, after all your home complaints on safety I offered solutions on taking what equity you have and renting in a safer place, and on and on. You deleted my comment because it hit to the heart of the matter , I was dead on and 5 regulars contacted me to say they agreed. Also, you were challenged online about deleting that comment as well. I also stopped supporting the blog because as @Sophie Wegat rightly asserted you became more negative, suppressed free expression and became more defensive. If you want ad revenue and want to be a harbinger of light or advice for a large community, suppression of dissent is not cool. If this was merely a private page you have the right to dictate, but there’s an unspoken rule on sites that are for profit, as yours is, you take the negative as well as the positive. With your deleting of critical posts you demean the entire narrative.
You do , do good. But it’s less effective when visitors are given a sanitized version where you shape the story. This troll….that you apparently banned, why not let the comments stand as it would strengthen the notion, hey, this is a fair place to be. Smart people know trolls….they’re in every comment section on blogs, Facebook, all social media in general . By suppressing their free expression you’ve created a total censorship issue on a for profit site. Kim brought up a good point too, sometimes there IS truth there.. it may not be pleasant to read but it can help you see things very clearly, even from a negative source . I’d think again about banning. That’s the ULTIMATE censorship move.
You do lots of good in your community. It’s healthy to be sble to defend your positions.
Anyway, deleting bookmarks brought me back tonight and I’ll read a few posts, but so far it’s the same cyclical posts. Having someone to spar with would actually drive more traffic, my husband is an IT expert turned financial advisor and as I showed him back awhile ago my very on topic was deleted for zero good reason. At the time he remarked how foolish that is in a traffic driven blog.
I still wish you and your boys very well, but the problems always seem to be the same and no different moves are ever made on the way you live your life …..that’s why there’s an unending cycle of pessimism, drama and heartbreak. Good luck, and I truly mean that, if this commment is not censured/deleted. With all due respect, Alyssa. My real and only name since I use Facebook exclusively to sign in to this system. I’ll poke around befire I leave again but sadly, and I hope I’m wrong I’ll see posts about your heart breaking, no money and the kids uncontrollable. I wish you well, but the only way to truly change circumstances is to change your way of doing things.
You’re welcome to your opinion but you understand you’re agreeing with the worst troll I’ve had to deal with since I started 8 years ago. She’s making things up to fit her agenda.. I wrote a long response but Disqus chewed it up.
You guys are all welcome to your opinions and I respect them but you aren’t living my life and have no idea whether or not I’m being negative or telling it how it is.
I’m comfortable being more honest since my family’s been put back together. When Lizze was gone, I was very careful what I said and I wasn’t comfortable being as open and transparent as I usually am.
Please don’t base your opinion on by issues with one internet troll.
I’ll answer this even though this user has been banned for trolling several times under several different usernames.
I would think that a parent who works full time wouldn’t have anything negative to say about me taking a nap when I need to. Many parents I’ve spoken with look at work as something of a break.
Other Autism parents generally understand and show something known as compassion to other in similar circumstance.
It’s not that I don’t like the question, it’s the person asking. It’s from someone who’s been banned for creating multiple accounts to leave comments with. The comments were all mean spirited in nature. That’s why…
No offense Braden but the kind of exhaustion referring to is mostly limited to Autism or Special Needs parents. Any therapist can tell you that and speaking to other parents like myself or even organizations that represent this community, this is pretty common knowledge.
These are simply facts and are in no way meant to belittle or in validate what you or other parents experience. It’s just two very different things.
I hope this doesn’t offend you because I truly don’t mean it in that manner.
It’s kinda like talking about the stress levels between the two types of parenting. All parenting is stressful but it’s been proven that Autism parents experience levels of stress equal to that of combat soldiers.
It’s not to say that typical parents don’t experience stress, it’s just not the same as Autism parents.
I didn’t mind either question but the other commentor is just trying to twist what I said.
Maybe I shouldn’t make too big of a thing over this, but like this individual who is bothering you, I’m not too fond of the combat veteran/ autism parent stress level comparison. Yes, I know that there was a study 6 or 7 years ago that said something to effect that autism parents typically display a low level of a certain hormone which is an indicator of stress on the same level as a combat veteran. I just think there are better ways to explain stress levels of parenting an autistic child as opposed to a neurotypical child. I happen to have one of each. My experience is that you have to spend a lot more time parenting an autistic child – both active, hands on parenting (redirecting, making teachable moments out of everyday situations that parents of neurotypical kids can take for granted, etc), as well as indirect (crafting IEPs, consulting with therapists and school personnel, planning for such meetings, thinking about and making daily living charts, worrying about who will take care of your kid when you die, etc). The additional hours that have to be spent on parenting do take a toll.
On the flip side, however, some people deal with stress better than others, regardless of what their circumstances are. To use the combat analogy for a moment, two soldiers can endure the same experience and both may not suffer from PTSD.
I don’t like getting into stress level comparisons – I’m not going to minimize anyone else’s stress levels or circumstances, but I just don’t like the combat veteran comparison because unlike combat, parenting is basically the most rewarding human experience, even if it is challenging. It’s the same reason why I wouldn’t compare parenting stress levels to those of a rape victim. I guess I just think the whole “warrior mom/parent” thing is silly. We’re not going into battle – it’s parenting, and I just don’t see it as a war. I don’t think that’s a particularly healthy approach. But to each his or her own.
Sorry for the rant. I know that it’s all just a way of explaining that you’re stressed. I just think there are better ways to explain that stress which are more consistent with your purposes of raising awareness and understanding. I could be wrong, but I just think that the combat veteran comparison probably compells more eye rolls than it does helping to give an idea of your stress levels.
Again, sorry for the rant. Maybe I’m just a little stressed out…
I didn’t have a chance to read your entire comment but I just want to say that you’re totally fine. I get what your saying but I personally like the comparison because it helps to make a point.
No one’s saying it’s the same kind of stress but that it’s having the same impact on the individual.
Anyway, I hope things are okay on your end… ☺
Good morning, Rob. I would like to add my name to those who dislike the comparison to combat veterans, and I don’t feel that it is helping you make any points. After I saw you mention it a few times, I found and read the study you mention; it was barely a study. It was a small group of women who were interviewed over an 8 day period and had their cortisol levels checked twice. That is really not much of a study to me. The other issue I have is that I think it takes away from the stress that men and women in combat face. I’m not saying that autism parenting isn’t hard and stressful because I know that it is, but I don’t think it can compare to sleeping in a hole and hoping the guy next to you didn’t fall asleep on his watch and allow the enemy to get close enough to shoot, or worry that at any moment you could be hanging out trying to nap only to end up with a mortar round through the shoulder.
As for Moe/Zoe, trolls are trolls. But in my time on the internet, I have learned not to discount what they say. Sure, they might be saying something just to get a rise out of their target, but that doesn’t mean that what they’re saying isn’t valid. Her (I am assuming it’s a her) approach might not be the prettiest, but sometimes she is dead-on with her questions or criticisms. And love her or hate her, she is bringing traffic and discussion to this blog and that means more ad hits for you.
We’ll have to agree to disagree but I respect your opinion. As for Moe/Zoe, everything about her approach is deceitful. Multiple accounts so she can leave different comments. Creates a new account when she’s banned. It’s like she’s obsessed with this blog and as the owner of said blog, I reserve the right to remove her.
That said, you’re right about bringing traffic but that’s the only positive thing she brings to the table.
I also forgot to wish you a good morning as well.. ☺
I agree.
Thanks Rob – all is OK here…
I understand why you use the study to explain your stress levels but I just don’t think it’s the best way for you to describe it, particularly to those who are not in the proverbial autism trenches with you. It’s not going to get your point across as well as simply giving examples, as you often do so well, of the hyper- vigilant parenting that autism requires you to undertake, the additional time and effort that must be expended, etc. that parents of neurotypical kids just don’t experience.
Either way, I get it.
I guess I try to use it to help people wrap their heads around the extraordinary levels of stress that Autism parents live with.
There’s really no other scale that can measure stress in these types of parenting situations.
I know people are taking this personally but Autism parenting is simply in a different universe than typical parenting resides in.
It’s not that parents in general don’t feel stressed out but the stress is different. Everything is relative..
That’s just it – I really don’t imagine that the combat veteran study really helps anyone not experiencing it understand. And there’s no reason to try to “measure” or quantify stress. As soon as you start doing that, you’re going to piss people off because it comes across like you are trying to compare stress levels. Just use specific examples about your every day experience (i.e. you can’t even send teenager Gavin to the rest room in a public place without concern that he’ll disappear) about things hat most parents can take for granted (you can’t even assume that your boys will be able to put on their socks and shoes on any given day because of sensory challenges). The constant adjustments that have to be made, and thinking about so many things that so many parents can take for granted is what takes its toll. You often explain that very well. I think enough examples of that would make an uniformed person sit back and say “holy crap that’s a lot to deal with” – an analogy to combat veterans, as I said above, is more likely to be met with eye rolls.
Just offering an opinion which I think will help you better achieve your objective and better communicate with your audience.
uniformed = uninformed
Welcome back. I see you’ve chosen a new screen name again.