Re: Shelly: Re: When I had the talk w/Allie (was Brownies)

January 11, 2008

, I'm sorry this took so long. I've been really sick with a bug since

last Saturday, and I'm just getting back to you.

Anyway, you asked when I had " the talk " with Allie. She must have been 8

when she learned she has Autism. I just felt that she was ready to hear it.

Allie was recognizing that some girls didn't like her, no matter how hard she

tried and wanted them to. I don't know if I'm describing this very well ...

She was beginning to express more than basic hurt and frustration at not

getting invited to parties and sleep overs. She was asking " why, " and

discussing people and what makes them tick.

I could have done it several months sooner if I could have found the right

book. I wanted something at her reading level, with a positive attitude, and

most especially that depicted a child at her level of functioning. I wanted

her to recognize herself in the book. When I see all of the books out there

now, I just can't believe how hard it was to find anything remotely

appropriate just 4 years ago.

Sandi from Houston

In a message dated 1/4/2008 10:06:12 A.M. Central Standard Time,

sajustmyself@... writes:

Sandi,

How old was your daughter when you did this?

--- In _Autism_in_Girls@Autism_in_GiAut_

(mailto:Autism_in_Girls ) , D22@.., Sa

> ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~

> Anyway, this strand reminds me of when I had " the talk " with

Allie. I didn't make a deal of it and sit her down and get all serious.

I bought " My Friend With Autism " , and after it arrived I slipped it

into the stack of storybooks we were reading together one day. We hadn't

gotten half way through when Allie leaped off the couch and swung around to

face me and exclaimed, " That's me! " " I'm just like that! " " Do I have

Autism? " and when I smiled and said " Yes " she just beamed. She felt SO

validated,

so happy to have an explanation about why she felt so different than others

about everyday things. Then there was this outpouring of questions,

<grin> like a flood! I think she stimmed for a good 10 minutes in

excitement! Then we

finished reading the book together and talked and talked that day. It's

one of my favorite memories. :-)

Sandi

**************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape.

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