As a parent, I get frustrated and feel pain, disappointment, and anger when people label my children or think/speak before really understanding who they are. I’m sharing 28+ things parents of children with Autism want you to know.
28 Things Parents of Children with Autism Want You to Know
*Many people have the wrong idea or a misconception about children with Autism.
I think sometimes it’s worse with high-functioning kids because they are VERY borderline.
Which is why it’s called a spectrum.
- It’s huge: from low-end to high-end.
- A range of levels.
- Each child is different.
- No two children are the same.
- You meet one child with Autism, you’ve met one child with Autism.
I know this firsthand because our boys are vastly different when it comes to where they stand on the spectrum.
I asked several friends from my Autism Support Group what they would want others to know about their child with Autism.
28 Things Parents of Children with Autism Want You to Know
- He is completely innocent. He loves more than he will ever be able to express, probably more than any of us will ever experience. He is my smile when I cannot find my own.
- They are innocent victims, and they understand everything you say and do. They can read your body language even if you miraculously don’t say something rude. Extremely intelligent and always underestimated!
- He wants to be your friend, but sometimes he doesn’t know how to show you. If you listen, he is very smart and wants to share everything with the world.
- Just because my child has been diagnosed with Autism does not mean he is unable to be a productive member of this society.
- Just because he has been diagnosed with Autism does not slap a label on who he is and what he can do.
- He is still a unique individual.
- You can’t “catch” Autism. It’s not “cooties.”
- Don’t judge a book by its cover. Don’t judge them just because you may catch them in a “meltdown,”/having an off day, etc.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- He is NOT cognitively impaired. He is actually quite academically advanced. Just because he can’t talk doesn’t mean he doesn’t have something to say.
- He has worked harder than most people I know in just 8 years of his life. Just to do things that we take for granted.
- Every time I have questioned or doubted myself about his care, I have been wrong.
- Every time I think that Autism has gone away, it slaps me in the face.
- He is a good boy with a good heart that is sensitive and needs love just like anyone else.
- If you hurt him on purpose, I will come down on you as you have never seen.
- Just because you may not understand him doesn’t mean he can’t understand you. His intelligence is not to be undermined.
- He wants to have friends to play with and is very smart if people take more than ten seconds to judge him.
- She can not help if she eats funny, or as some people say, “like an animal,” and she can not help that she gets frustrated so easily. She is not a bad kid, and if you take the time to see past the bad stuff, you’ll find one of the most adorable, sweet girls you will ever meet.
- A good heart is VERY literal and unsafe but loves the world and everybody in it. Not a bad kid. He needs to be reminded to take turns and that some people like to talk about other topics; he is also very smart, and people should talk to him when he is there, not us.
- Although very verbal, he is still autistic. There is a misconception that autism means non-verbal. This is totally not true.
- They march to their drummer and may do things without rhyme or reason. If you go with the flow, it makes life easier for all.
- We, as parents, have learned to pick our battles carefully instead of taking on every battle that comes about.
- Just because he can talk, ride a bike, etc., doesn’t mean he is less autistic.
- He has worked really hard at accomplishing those things. I’m sorry that he isn’t plastered with puzzle pieces so everyone can see that he looks autistic.
- My son wants to play with everyone nicely without being teased, hurt, or bullied. And I’m sorry if he swiped your phone and bypassed your security code to play your games; it’s his thing.
- Our babies must work harder to get their words across and have patience with them.
- Even though they may not be able to express their brilliance, they have a lot to contribute.
- Even if my daughter appears like everyone else, she marches to her own drum. We may not always understand what she is thinking, but it is important to respect her process.
See something we missed? Please feel free to chime in!
If you’re reading this, does it change how you perceive children on the Autism Spectrum?
And thank you to all of my Mommy friends for giving feedback and coming up with this list.
Let’s continue to make it grow!
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Suzi Satterfield says
It’s been suggested more than once that my difficult child is on the spectrum. I’m afraid of it. I know on one hand that it means nothing because he is who he is, but it’s something that I just don’t know about and can’t research away.
Payal Bansal says
No one but only a mother could come out with these points about Autism. I hope after reading the post people can be a little more generous towards these innocent kids who just need a little more love and care than other kids 🙂
T Worthey says
Thank you Payal– that’s what it is all about.
Jen says
This is beautiful and I plan on sharing it liberally. I have a few very special kids in my life who are autistic and have other special needs as well. It’s so important that we recognize kids for the individuals they are instead of the expectations we place on them!
Kori says
I love this list! The one thing I hear that still makes me angry, “I’m sorry” .. .why? My daughter is perfectly healthy, happy, clever.. She has interests, she can communicate in her own way. She just so happens to have autism. I’m not sorry for that and I don’t think that anyone else should be either.
Marcie W. says
I love this list so very much and I think my favorite part is where YOU actually mention “I think sometimes it’s worse with kids that are high functioning, because they are VERY border-line. Which is why it’s called a spectrum.” This is absolutely my personal experience! My son is very high functioning and has made amazing progress since his diagnosis three years ago BUT he still has unique quirks and does things that may seem “weird” to others. It is hard for him to fit in with other kids on the spectrum but also hard with non spectrum kids. He is definitely smack in the middle and it is tough!
T Worthey says
Thanks Marcie. And I agree. If I was given a dollar for every time someone said, oh they look normal, they don’t look like they have autism, etc… I’d be rich by now! I sometimes think being in the middle is tougher. You have to fight for everything!
michelle says
This is totally awesome! I particularly love number 15. Hell hath no fury, like the parent of an autistic child. It is particularly great because as parents of autistic children, we will go the extra mile for our children and create great blogs and sites such as this. These types of insights help not only us as parents, but those who think they are in the know, but really don’t, to see the day to day that our children and we live with. This is great! Keep up the good work!
Nancy Mitchell says
I want people to know my son doesn’t have a special ability like the character in “Rainman.” He isn’t an autistic savant. There are no shortcuts to getting to know him — no labels that will simplify the task. However, once you know him, you’ll realize it was worth the effort. Nothing in life has come easy for him, and that makes him a more compassionate, funny, and interesting human being.
Pam says
Thank you for your list. It is very helpful. I am a grandparent of a 2 1/2 year old that has recently been diagnosed. I will share this list with his parents.
Kaylen S Marks says
I almost started crying as I read through this. My son is 5 and autistic. The things you posted I wish more people knew. Thank you for all of your encouragement.