General Chat

Please join us in creating increased awareness of the autism spectrum disorders. These unique individuals have so much to contribute, and deserve acceptance rather than tolerance. A brain which is "wired differently" is no less a brain, but one which sees the world from a different perspective.

I want to thank so many people on GR who have supported me in varied ways, over the past 3 years, as I help my daughter manage the often bizarre behaviours of autism in 2 of her children.

My one non-autistic granddaughter has discovered a favourite decal which she wants to paste on my car - it reads " I am not weird, I have autism - what's your excuse?"

It hurts so much for a mother to be out in public when her child is having a "meltdoiwn"; to experience disparaging looks, rude comments, and never the offer of help.

Awareness is the key to acceptance. The numbers are frightening - this is an epidemic, in the near future it will be a rare person who is unaware of a family affected by autism. Here on GR there are several members whose families who are affected. Thank you all for your openness in spreading awareness.
Mary

Thank you for this post Mary - much appreciated by those of us who are affected by autism within the family. Cx

Positive thoughts for you all Mary and let's hope more is understood about this 'condition' as time goes on. It would be wonderful if the cause could be found so something could be done to stop the spread of autism and also to treat it more effectively.

Thinking of you with love as always

Lizxxx

thank you Mary for posting this, it is appreciated by those who

have autism in their family.

I have experienced the rude comments when you are out and

little one has a tantrum.

Leni

Thanks for this Mary. Like so many others on here, my family is affected by this.
I agree Leni. When my g.son was diagnosed aged 8yrs, it made us realise how many "naughty" kids in supermarket queues, may actually be affected.

thankyou for this posting mary, i am a support worker in nurseries and schools working with children on the ASD. they are fantastic children and many are very intelligent beyond their years. yes they do have meltdowns , but you have to stay calm and they will calm down.

people who have little knowledge of asd are so ignorant in supermarkets and shops and sometimes unbelievable in the comments they make.

more children are being diagnosed now than say 20 years ago and more needs to be done to make others aware of this disorder so we can all have a greater understanding of their needs and less critisising(spell?) of the parents/carers.

florence

Hi Mary, I used to work with pre-school children with special needs, many of them on the Autistic Spectrum.

A parent of one of these children, bought some little cards into the place where I worked.

They were about the size of a buisnss card and could be given out in the street (or shop or lift or railway station etc), to those staring membrs of the public, who poited fingers, made accusations and tutted in disapproval (you know the type of people I mean).

These cards said some like "my child is on the Autistic Spectrum and is not naughty. Details can be found at ....

Please be aware that there is a reason for the behaviour you have observed"

I can't remember the exact wording on the card, and don't know if they are still available.
The idea was that the card could be handed out, without having to confront these rude and/or ignorant individuals.
It was supposed to make them think twice and perhaps change their attitude in the future.

You grand-daughters decal (I will have to look that word up!) sounds really good.

I hope that it is now on your car.


Tess