AI meeting
We went to the monthly autism support group this evening. It is run by the Wexford-Missaukee intermediary school district.
I have never been a big one for support groups. I have no problem with them, but I never felt the need to attend. I don't do group therapy, either, for that matter. This one does a world of good, though.
When you raise a kid with something visible like a missing limb or a twisted frame, you can expect to get a few stares, looks of pity, or whatever. When you raise a child with some kind of a special need that affects behavior, you get comments about your parenting skills. Of course, most people are polite enough to just think it. Most comments never make it to your ears. Someone who sees you struggle with a child in a wheel chair may open the door for you. Someone who sees you struggling with a child with ADHD or Asperger's will give you a look of disdain, if he engages you at all.
So it's nice to hang out with a group of people who face the same challenges. It's nice to know that you're not alone.
Of course, there are now a number of email lists that are designed to help and support parents and children. There are even a few for adults who are dealing with those issues.
The point is that so many of us are going at it alone, and we don't have to.
I could easily launch into a long discussion about the subject. I'll have to save it for later, though, because my thoughts are a bit scattered at the moment. Suffice it to say that there is a genetic component in these neurological differences. Studies have shown that when both parents are analytical types (their way of saying 'nerds'), the probability of ending up with an autistic child increases greatly.
Gratuitous picture of the day:
I have never been a big one for support groups. I have no problem with them, but I never felt the need to attend. I don't do group therapy, either, for that matter. This one does a world of good, though.
When you raise a kid with something visible like a missing limb or a twisted frame, you can expect to get a few stares, looks of pity, or whatever. When you raise a child with some kind of a special need that affects behavior, you get comments about your parenting skills. Of course, most people are polite enough to just think it. Most comments never make it to your ears. Someone who sees you struggle with a child in a wheel chair may open the door for you. Someone who sees you struggling with a child with ADHD or Asperger's will give you a look of disdain, if he engages you at all.
So it's nice to hang out with a group of people who face the same challenges. It's nice to know that you're not alone.
Of course, there are now a number of email lists that are designed to help and support parents and children. There are even a few for adults who are dealing with those issues.
The point is that so many of us are going at it alone, and we don't have to.
I could easily launch into a long discussion about the subject. I'll have to save it for later, though, because my thoughts are a bit scattered at the moment. Suffice it to say that there is a genetic component in these neurological differences. Studies have shown that when both parents are analytical types (their way of saying 'nerds'), the probability of ending up with an autistic child increases greatly.
Gratuitous picture of the day:
posted by Nerd in the Country at 10:21 PM
3 Comments:
the squirrel is soooooooooooo cute!!!! (i am guessing that is what it is, we don't have them here in Australia.
L
I would like to hear more about the studies re: autism. I have a very good friend who teaches autistic children in a normal classroom (inclusion). Also, my son and DIL are expecting their first child...to say that they are "analytical" is an understatement.......
Chris in central NY
I generally just end up running across the information. Autism seems to be on the increase, and nobody knows why for sure. There are lots of theories, though.
I found a blog about autism:
http://www.autismvox.com/
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