Autism and Parenting

Comment

Comment by Alan Sutton on September 24, 2009 at 12:58pm

How to start a discussion..........
My name is Alan and my wife Kim and I have 6 (yes six) children 4 of whom are on the Autistic Spectrum, having ADHD and Asbergers. The eldest (25) was 11 when he was diagnosed with Asbergers, our second seems (daughter 21, due to have a son 18th Nov) to have escaped, and our third (son 18) seems to have managed earlier adhd well. The next, a son has the best demonstrations of asb presenting the most challenges; he's 16, going on sometimes 30+, sometimes 10-. Very focused on what interests him at the time and very detailed and factual! Discussions become documentaries. Do not tell him its "raining cats and dogs" or the SPCA will be involved!
the next 12yrs daughter becomes totally disoriented if the expected events or routines become interrupted by a change in detail or order.
The youngest, a son 10yrs, is like a terrier with a piece of rope... he won't let an issue go until he has had the last word and it has been resolved according to his understanding, (oftentimes severely limited) and his way (however in-appropriate). Tantrums can be a regular result, usually involving door slams and tears of frustration.if he is over-ruled by his opponent or a parent!