Re: Re: New to Group - Help for -Teaching kids about autism

[Guest guest]

Geneva.

We were the same way!!! Told him right away. He took it just fine.

We did this right away, just like we did with our youngest when telling her she was adopted. Very matter-of-fact.

We felt that NOT telling them may make them feel that it was something to keep quiet.Plus,,,,,,you gotta keep in mind that our kids HAVE to learn how to advocate for themselves. They can't do that unless they know the deal.

Robin

From: Rick & Geneva Schult <schult@...>Subject: ( ) Re: New to Group - Help for -Teaching kids about autism Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2011, 11:04 AM

We told our son at age 9 when he was diagnosed. He was relieved for an explanation, which we presented scientifically just like he had diabetes or something, this was just something else physical. No shame, no harm, no foul.

Of course, a few times when things didn't go right, he'd say" Well, I DO have asperger's you know!" so we had to let him know it wasn't a get out of jail free card, that he had to learn to manage it.

I think depending on the child, tell as soon as possible. Otherwise they walk around thinking something is terribly wrong with them and it's all their fault (guilt, shame, low selfesteem, etc)

Geneva