Is anybody out there parenting a child with autism?

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   cobrienposted 12 years ago

   If you could change your child into a "normal" child, would you? My son is higher learning and knows he is autistic. It breaks his heart and mine. I've recently heard of experimental research overseas that is having great success with autistic people but I wouldn't want my boy any other way. He just wouldn't be the same person. Any thoughts?

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      shea duaneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      My son is autistic and I think he is perfect. Once when he was in 1st grade, another mom asked me if I was embarrassed because there was 'something wrong' with him. I said no. Another person once asked me, 'Did you drink or use drugs during your pregnancy?' People always want to blame or criticize... And it's true, my son has some social problems. But he has a heart of gold and fits into our family perfectly. I wouldn't change anything about him.

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   LillyGposted 12 years ago

   I have an autistic son and honestly, I would not change a thing about him. At first, when he was young I would think "There has to be a cure" but over the years I have come to realize that its what makes him unique. He's 15 now and I can't imagine life without him just the way he is. Hes a blessing and a joy to have around and I realize that I must be one special mom to be given the honor of raising such a wonderful son.

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      cobrienposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree. It's annoying when people pity us.

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   Cagsilposted 12 years ago

   MissOlive
   http://missolive.hubpages.com/
   
   She has written hubs about Autism too.

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   Emma Harveyposted 12 years ago

   My son has mild autism - read my blog http://emmajharvey.blogspot.com/  He is 9 now, but when the ed psychologist saw him he was 4. I suffered a mixed bag of emotions back then.

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   Charles Jamesposted 12 years ago

   Really look at Tomatis therapy, but make sure you go for th real Tomatis therapy rather than the Tomatis lite therapy offered by many.

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      cobrienposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not really looking for a cure. He's come a long way and is a sweet boy. He's a blessing the way he is but a lot of people don't seem to understand that.

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   MelissaBarrettposted 12 years ago

   My youngest has autism.  To say I wouldn't change her seems hypocritical since we do therapy between 3-4 hours a day specifically to change her, but I understand what you are saying.  Things with my last two children (both special needs) always seem to mean more. We tried for 6 weeks to get Lily to say "Mommy" and actually mean me.  When she did it was somehow bigger than when my two oldest children said it. 
   
   That said, I would give up that sense of triumph completely for the chance for Lily to have a childhood that wasn't filled with therapists and frustration.

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      cobrienposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Don't think you are trying to change Lily because you take her to therapy. You are only trying to help her be the best she can be. My son was in PT, OT and speech for years and it did a world of good.

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