Re: Spectrum question/concept - How do you feel?

December 29, 2008

Bev I to feel many parents are of spectrum too or carry some or

shadow much of the traits of autism , and or are of undx specrtrum

adults as well. since autism is of a spectrum it can be the parents

are of very different levels of spectrum and or they have learned to

self adapt well as adults.

but in my knowing many many parents are on the spectrum or shadow the

syndrome, there are of few parents who do not shadow but have a few

of the traits of spectrum only in milder versions, or they have of a

sibling who is of stronger spectrum like issues. this is why I to see

a genetic component to autism not just a environmental one and or

chromosomal one or other insults that create of the spectrum.

but I to nto see of the parents being on the spectrum as a negative

but in many ways it can be of a postitive because they tend to have a

better understand of things even though they themself is of yet undx,

but once they learn the terminology and or vocabulary in helping of

their childrens of spectrum they can then learn of why they too

always did of similar like things as a child and maybe still do as an

adult. it is of not somethings to be ashamed of in this life but is

of just part of who they are in this life gifts and challenges and

all.

sondra

December 29, 2008

Hi Sondra,

My concern is that parents need to accept themselves with the

possibility of being on the spectrum or shadow the syndrome in order

to better understand and help their own child deal with positive gifts

and negative aspects, growing and learning into adulthood. As for

parents of adult children, we are in a life long learning community

and therefore our children are still learning, need our wisdom and

advice to make some, but not all discussions along life's pathway.

My concern is that some parents might be in denial. I agree that this

not something to be ashamed of in this life, but is of just part of

who they are in this life, gifts and challenges and all. As a teacher,

I feel that if a parent better understands them selves, they will have

a great understanding of their child. Therefore, be able to help their

child learn and grow to their full potential.

Bev

December 29, 2008

funny.....as time goes on, I have started to wonder if I myself could be

somewhere on the high end of the spectrum....A few times I have read that

there is a high incidence of parents of autistic children with the mother

having depression problems and the father being an engineer with possible

social backwardness. An engineer always searches for answers in order

for things to make sense to them and if not then orders the data or facts

in such a way as to make the most sense. Black and white is best and

shades of gray cause uncertainty. Social situations have always made me

uneasy, but I have always rationalized it away one way or another. My

mother never learned to drive and after her divorce never went many

places socially so neither did I. I was always the youngest in school

and always felt that this made me less mature than the rest of the kids.

I was only seventeen when I started college. I always have projects and

things to do especially being a single parent. Just like my father -

always something to do and not much of a social life. Maybe we all have

varying degrees of the different traits and if not, sometimes genetic

properties skip generations. Loren

Dad to Lara 16 (m-hfa)

Re: Spectrum question/concept - How do you

feel?

Date: Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:06:51 -0000

Hi Sondra,

My concern is that parents need to accept themselves with the

possibility of being on the spectrum or shadow the syndrome in order

to better understand and help their own child deal with positive

gifts

and negative aspects, growing and learning into adulthood. As for

parents of adult children, we are in a life long learning community

and therefore our children are still learning, need our wisdom and

advice to make some, but not all discussions along life's pathway.

My concern is that some parents might be in denial. I agree that this

not something to be ashamed of in this life, but is of just part of

who they are in this life, gifts and challenges and all. As a

teacher,

I feel that if a parent better understands them selves, they will

have

a great understanding of their child. Therefore, be able to help

their

child learn and grow to their full potential.

Bev

December 29, 2008

I think I have/do fit shadow syndrome. Doesn't bother me, some ways it

gives me comfort. I have noticed a number of moms of children with

autism are like me, sort of pushy, loud, don't take no for an answer

when we want something. Not all moms, but a lot of us are that I have met.

Debi

>

> How do you feel about the concept that as a parent of an autistic

> child or adult that we are part of the spectrum? That we contain the

> gifts of autism and in some cases the negative aspects of the

> spectrum. How do you feel about that concept?

>

> Bev Weakley

> Mom of Jen and Kim