One of the biggest Autism parenting challenges I’ve consistently faced, has to do with the how’s and why’s of the decisions I make. There’s a million decisions that I have to make on any given day as an Autism parent that will only make sense to other Autism parents.
It’s important to understand that even people who have the best of intentions and are otherwise absolutely supportive, still have a very difficult time understanding the driving force behind the decisions I have make.
There’s one situation in particular that seems to be the most challenging for people to understand and that has to do with our ability to attend functions.
This is the type of situation that leads to many misunderstandings between us and our family or friends.
Here’s the reality of the situation.
Choosing not to attend a family function has very little to do with not wanting to be there and that’s the part that is so hard to help people understand.
Why do you call your kids “children with autism” and yourself an “autism parent”? (Not just you, Autism Dad, but anyone who describes themselves this way.) You think being a parent of a child on the spectrum is a part of your identity, yet you deny that autism is part of your child’s identity? As an autistic person, that seems hypocritical to me.
Okay. I’m not sure where that came from but let me try to clarify because I think you may have the wrong impression. Have actually talked about this very thing, quite a bit.
I think I understand where you’re coming from. As far as my choice to say “with Autism” or “Autistic”, it just depends on what I’m trying to say. To me, they both mean the same thing and I tend to choose the words that sorta flow better, in the context of what I’m talking about.
I don’t view either way in a negative light.
As for the Autism Dad comment, I don’t know that’s my identity per say. It’s the title of a blog and it’s describes my parenting situation. For me personally, I feel it helps me reach other Autism parents because when they see The Autism Dad, they know I’m someone who can understand and relate to them.
In regards to being hypocritical, I don’t see it that way. Maybe that’s true for some but it’s not fair to say that as a blanket statement.
I’ve never denied that Autism is part of who my kids are. It’s absolutely part of who they are. Does it define who they are? No it doesn’t.
My kids are just my kids and they happen to also be on the Autism Spectrum. They also have brown hair and either blue or brown eyes,depending on whom I’m referring to.
That’s one of the reasons that I would personally never try to “cure” my kids of Autism.. It’s part of who they are and it helps to make up their personality. Taking that away from them who fundamentaly change who they are and I would never do that to them.
Some parents may feel differently because their situation is different than mine.
There are plenty of times that I’ll say my 3 autistic kids… It just depends.
Does that make sense? If it doesn’t, I’m happy to try again. I’m sorry if I ever gave you the impression that I view
Why do you call your kids “children with autism” and yourself an “autism parent”? (Not just you, Autism Dad, but anyone who describes themselves this way.) You think being a parent of a child on the spectrum is a part of your identity, yet you deny that autism is part of your child’s identity? As an autistic person, that seems hypocritical to me.
Okay. I’m not sure where that came from but let me try to clarify because I think you may have the wrong impression. Have actually talked about this very thing, quite a bit.
I think I understand where you’re coming from. As far as my choice to say “with Autism” or “Autistic”, it just depends on what I’m trying to say. To me, they both mean the same thing and I tend to choose the words that sorta flow better, in the context of what I’m talking about.
I don’t view either way in a negative light.
As for the Autism Dad comment, I don’t know that’s my identity per say. It’s the title of a blog and it’s describes my parenting situation. For me personally, I feel it helps me reach other Autism parents because when they see The Autism Dad, they know I’m someone who can understand and relate to them.
In regards to being hypocritical, I don’t see it that way. Maybe that’s true for some but it’s not fair to say that as a blanket statement.
I’ve never denied that Autism is part of who my kids are. It’s absolutely part of who they are. Does it define who they are? No it doesn’t.
My kids are just my kids and they happen to also be on the Autism Spectrum. They also have brown hair and either blue or brown eyes,depending on whom I’m referring to.
That’s one of the reasons that I would personally never try to “cure” my kids of Autism.. It’s part of who they are and it helps to make up their personality. Taking that away from them who fundamentaly change who they are and I would never do that to them.
Some parents may feel differently because their situation is different than mine.
There are plenty of times that I’ll say my 3 autistic kids… It just depends.
Does that make sense? If it doesn’t, I’m happy to try again. I’m sorry if I ever gave you the impression that I view