I don’t think that I’ve ever really had to seriously broach this subject with my kids…..yet.. They are all familiar with the word Autism but I don’t know that they understand what it is and that it’s a part of who they are….
This is actually one of those more difficult discussions you may have to have with your son or daughter.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being Autistic, it’s just challenging to help a child understand what it is and what it means for them.
I think it would be really helpful if we could discuss what our experience has been with talking to our children about their diagnosis. This can be difficult to explain and I think it’s important to really reinforce the fact that Autism doesn’t make them a freak.
I’ve heard some kids say that they feel like a freak because they have Autism and that’s so heartbreaking because it couldn’t be farther from the truth.
With that being said, I’m also a firm believer in if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Is it even necessary to have this conversation with our kids on the spectrum? If they don’t ask about it, why even bring it up?
Thoughts?
This site is managed almost exclusively from my Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Please forgive any typos as auto-correct HATES me. 😉
Update: If you like this post, check out these as well. Click —–> Here <—– for my Top Posts.
Follow @Lost_and_Tired
“Like” me on Facebook
Visit the My Autism Help Forums
To reach me via email, please Contact Me
CPI_Training in the end he got on the wii and was over it. Love my son!
CPI_Training when I had the conversation with my son he cried and felt like he would loose his friends. #It was tough.
What book did you read to them!!??
avazapp AspieWriter thank you for sharing ❤
AspieWriter AvidAutismAdvoc Lost_and_Tired I just told him one day. Him: is that why I like to collect junk mail? Me: yup. Him: oh. Ok.
AspieWriter It’s def a tough convo to have. Do read trydefyinggrav’s blog – she told her son he had a gift calld autism.Very touching blog
Yes, with our eldest (now adult) son around age 13 when he realized he was not fitting in. Very difficult to do… but they need the information so they can reconciliate why/how they are not like most others and learn to accept themselves for the beautiful people they are. My 14 yr old now (not dx w/ Autism) came to me last week saying he thinks he does have it. Very interesting self diagnosis. Time to reach out to our neurologist for a consult.
I think it depends on a lot — your particular child, your family — many things. BUT since they are likely going to hear the word “autism” used in their presence (at school, in the general media, etc.) it seems like it gives you more control over the message to be the one to discuss it with them. Take care, all of you!
My son knows. Never made it a secret or something he should be ashamed of. I’ve told him he is different, not less, not bad, just different.
they know… it has never been a secret… they know the dance to a different beat.
With a book. We read the story and she identified with the character. She pointed out that the boy was different the same way she is. She knew she was different and was so happy she could put a name and reason to it!
Just tell them honestly, but it doesn’t have to be negative. Many autistic people are very intelligent and not so bad people.
I did it with a book. It worked quite well.