I had a co-worker ask me about Ben Monday. She wanted to know details. Can he talk, is he loving, what's his school like?
She was asking expecting me to explain Ben, and then she could understand autism. She doesn't know anyone with it or who has an autistic child. I told her about Ben, and then explained, she still doesn't know autism. It's so funny to think, if a child has diabetes and is in the middle of an episode, give them orange juice. A child with autism having an episode??? who knows? all children with autism are so different. There really is no blanket answers. In Ben's class, there is 5 very individual children. In the gym class, 4 completely different kids. I'm not just talking personalities, but abilities, behaviors, everything.
We go to the Dr and look for some answers, but seriously? What's there to say? What works for Ben could be completely traumatizing to another child with autism. Unless the Dr lives with us, instead of seeing him twice a year for 1/2 and hour, what do they have to offer? We go to Phildelphia's Children's hospital. I don't know why. I keep asking my husband. We had to wait over a year for the appt. and they really haven't offered us much. Ben doesn't need meds (Thank God!) He sleeps for us, he's not aggressive, just a happy little guy.
What are we hoping for? I really don't know.
What do we expect? I have no idea
How do you explain your child, and autism to someone else, when you really don't quite get it yourself?
Good point, that's a hard one. I'm sure you've heard the line, "If you know one child with autism, you know exactly one child with autism." Like, it manifests differently in everyone. Good, interesting post.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post! It is true, they are all so different and unique. :) Heather
ReplyDelete