When you heard the word Autism what went through your mind?
Your child has Autism…
- What went through your mind when you heard those words?
- Did you have an idea that your child might be on the spectrum before the evaluation and diagnosis?
- What clued you in and at what age was your child?
Are you yourself on the spectrum? If so did you find this out when your child was diagnosed?
I ask these questions as I have heard those very words. I recall feeling scared and numb at the same time. I had about 2000 what if’s running through my head… Then I went to a mode of learn learn learn I had to learn as much as I could about autism, the signs, what ages it showed in most. I also learned I’m on the spectrum & That there is little or pretty much no help for adults on the spectrum (I find that the most scariest thing of all) I’m here for my daughter but what happens when she turn 18 or 30 & needs help. Where will she find it?
It maybe easier for her having been diagnosed at an early age? I hope so as for an adult with out an official diagnosis it seems next to impossible to get one.
What changes do you think need to happen to better help people on the spectrum & to help people better understand Autism?
Who has been you biggest helper once getting the diagnosis? ( A teacher, or Dr, a friend, Temple Grandin) For me it was support sites and finding Books & DVDs by Temple Grandin. She has been a huge help in helping me find words for how I felt or to help explain what my daughter was going through and ways that I myself could help her.
Please feel free to ask questions or make points here as I want this place to be a learning place for others and a place to find support and understanding.
I’ll add more in this topic soon maybe a forum topic or something but I would love to hear your stories of your journey on the autism highway…