Supervision of children diagnosed with autism.

[Guest guest]

I need a reality check from other parents. Here is the situation. My daughter

Johanna is nine, non-verbal and on the spectrum. She does not have any serious

behavioral problems and communicates with gestures, some signs, and is learning

to speak with an iPad. She does require very frequent re-directing. She loves

to climb things, for instance, inside or outside and not always in appropriate

ways. Here is my concern. It has just come to my attention that her mother (we

have shared custody and an equal time share) sometimes leaves her unsupervised

in her home while she sleeps in between working night shifts. She has locks

with alarms on the doors, so I am not really concerned about elopement. I am

very concerned about falls, cuts, and other injuries that could occur while our

very curious, fearless daughter explores the house. My ex got very upset and

exploded in anger when I brought up my concerns to her. She doesn't think our

daughter requires constant supervision, as I do. I need some feedback about

this. What do you think? Am I worried about nothing? What should I do? I

would appreciate other parents' thoughts on this matter.

[Guest guest]

I would not leave a typically developing nine year old alone for any amount of time much less a nine year old non-verbal child on the spectrum. I not only think that you are not being out of line in your requests and fears, but I would be seriously freaking out right about now if I were in your shoes. Our special kids have to have constant supervision as they are extremely vulnerable. If you have spoken to the other parent and she doesn't want to work with you on this I personally would speak to an attorney about the custody arrangement.

Supervision of children diagnosed with autism.

I need a reality check from other parents. Here is the situation. My daughter Johanna is nine, non-verbal and on the spectrum. She does not have any serious behavioral problems and communicates with gestures, some signs, and is learning to speak with an iPad. She does require very frequent re-directing. She loves to climb things, for instance, inside or outside and not always in appropriate ways. Here is my concern. It has just come to my attention that her mother (we have shared custody and an equal time share) sometimes leaves her unsupervised in her home while she sleeps in between working night shifts. She has locks with alarms on the doors, so I am not really concerned about elopement. I am very concerned about falls, cuts, and other injuries that could occur while our very curious, fearless daughter explores the house. My ex got very upset and exploded in anger when I brought up my concerns to her. She doesn't think our daughter requires constant supe

rvision, as I do. I need some feedback about this. What do you think? Am I worried about nothing? What should I do? I would appreciate other parents' thoughts on this matter.