Autism! What is the best thing about having an autistic child?

Question

I am mum of 3 autistic boys, life in never dull, and I always like to think that I have a positive outlook. I want to know from other people what having an autistic child has brought to your life. I will look forward to hearing your answers!

Answer 1

It's great to hear that you have such a positive outlook with three autistic children. i am a teacher of children with severe learning difficulties and autism and they are a joy. Keen to learn and absorb themselves into all that they do. Life has not been allowed by autistic children to leave its mean mark on them, they take everything in their stride, no liars are tolerated, if they dont like something, you will know about it and dont even think about making a meal or drink not to their expectations - again, they will let you know. Autistic children have made me see that there really is not a reason for everything eg: why do we have to leave right now? Why cant I build a tower with Lego all day?My children in my class have brought happiness, joy, fullfilment, awe and on many occasions leave me baffled!But that is life and it keeps me on my toes.

Answer 2

you have  SOME pretty cool answers here.

I work with autistic and downs and other types of disabilities.

in a public school, 2nd and 3rd grades.

been there for 15 years.

seen alot of different types of autism.

but most  have the same common autistic factors.

BUT

3

holy cow..................... God Bless you!

I don't know how you do this!  I couldn't imagine.

But the question you ask.   I often just look in their eyes and see that are somewhere else. and I would love to know just where they are sometimes.

they can be very challenging, but on the other hand they have a world of their own and I often wish I could go into that world sometimes and see what they see.

they are very  unique and see life ALOT different than we do.

Answer 3

they can turn out to be very, very smart math geniuses who just see shapes and concepts differently. no joke, i know a few.

Answer 4

my son makes me howl with laughter.

his honesty is sometimes crippling but my god its a wake-up call.

it takes all the veneer of fakery in society and blows it apart.

his questions make me think.

i could also give 'worst' things but these problems are mine not his.

3 eh?? you braggin' or what? !!!

when you've walked with angels...........................

Answer 5

I work with several Autistic Children, who have very different problems.  I find these children to be the most interesting to work with, because they always have you guessing and force you to be creative and think outside the box.  Since not all Autistic Children are verbal, I have found that they have helped me learn to sign, they have taught me to be more patient and less quick to judge and forced me to be very creative when I least expect it!  There are times when I find things more difficult, as I'm sure you do too, but I don't remember those times when I think about my day.

Answer 6

Best thing is they are YOUR children and be pleased - as some people cant have children!!!

What ever children may or may not have, the fact is they are yours and you are lucky to have them and thats all that matters!

Answer 7

They are FANTASTIC!

They always tell the truth, they have no concept of lying.

They cut out the "middleman" or etiquette as it is more commonly known. If they want something, they either say it, or if they can't say it, they just get on and take it.

They have no concept of embarrassment, and when you get used to it, it is really refreshing.

My work with them has taught me a whole new way of seeing the world around me.



You always know where you stand with them. If they do something against you, you have probably done something wrong, not them.

They really make you think about your own actions.

I could go on and on.

Answer 8

Hello,

I've recently beren diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome a form of high functioning autism. I'm told that people with Autism of this kind usually find it difficult to interact with people, so they concentrate on other interests. This probably explains why I have a degree in English Law and speak fluent German and can read Dutch and French. I will be qualifying as a technical legal translator in 2008 and then a foreign rights lawyer some time in the future. Moreover, with this ability to learn I am getting help to learn how to interact with people. The only problem is that being autistic I need a firm routine within which to live my life and have problems deviating from it.

I am uncertain if you children have high functioning or low functining autism, but although they may be challenging they, as with all children, bring pleasure to the world.

Kind regards

Michael Cavanagh

Answer 9

I have aspergers, (Autism) and I am great at playing Poker, Nobody can read my face as they say I always look like Im concentrating.

teach your kids to play poker.  Some autistic kids can even count cards.

You could be a millionaire

Answer 10

I wouldn't swap my autistic daughter for anything. She is by far the most interesting and funny person I have ever known. Life with her is never dull and she always sees things from a different perspective to every one else. She has taught me so much about tolerance and also about disability. Through her I have made so many friends who have children with similar conditions and when we meet up all we do is laugh about what our children have said and done. I know she will never be free of autism but that is what makes her special. If anything were to happen to her she would leave such a big hole in my life. She knows she has autism and knows everyone else is different from her but, she still thinks she is right about everything.

Answer 11

I have two on the spectrum, and our psychologist told me with the younger children, "You know, if you ever need a diagnosis, we can do that" So I know what you mean. We homeschool now, and do most of the therapy ourselves, so a dx isn't important at this point for my younger two.

Anyway, to answer your question, I *LOVE* how full of joy my daughter is. Her needs are so basic and simple, and honest, that for the most part she is really happy. She's ten, and just approaches life full of joy, laughing and happy. My twelve yo is more logical and I love love love how he learns things. He's definitely autodidactic and has a photographic memory, so he's always got something interesting to share. WIth a little bit of work on sharing information appropriately with others, he's really taken off in his conversation skills. And he rocks at Trivial Pursuit.

My younger two (I have seven, but the others seem typical at this point), my six yo has such a keen eye for detail, that he's impressed the doctorates at the natural history museum, pointing out things about fossils and animals that most people don't see. My youngest, four yo and definitely an aspie, is rock steady and trustworthy. If he says he's going to do something, then he will move mountains to get it done. There is no lying for him, and he sees the best in everyone.

All of them have brought such wonder into my life. Because of them I can see how blessed I am, and all the wonders that I've learned about people, others as well as those with disabilities. I've made some of the best friends I've ever known.