My son Richard who is 11 yrs old with autism was keeps on asking "can someone turn off the d**n sun"

Question

when he asks me that i say to him "how i can i do that richard the sun is a bit to far for me to get there" i can't help laughing when he says that but my bf mum thinks i should not laugh at him cos of his autism but why should i treat him different from his sister's

Answer 1

um me and my son laugh at his add all the time. you have to be able to crack jokes at yourself. life is too short to take everything seriously.

Answer 2

i think if you love him then that is all that matters.. laugh all you want

Answer 3

its okay to laugh, that is a really cute question.

Answer 4

First of all if he is 11 he should not be using that language. Second, maybe the sun bothers him a lot. Try having him wear sunglasses when outdoors.

Answer 5

well he's your son not your boyfriend;s so you can treat your son however you want!!!

Answer 6

im sure your not laughing at him in a bad way, you are more laughing with him so to speak and theres nothing wrong with that as long as it doesnt upset him, no you shouldnt treat him differently,

Answer 7

That's sweet Susan. Yes try the sunglasses. He may be having periods of light sensitivity. My nephew will say he has a brain freeze. We've learned this means he has a very bad headache to the point he will turn off the lights in his room and push his head as deep as he can into a pillow (he's 7).

In reference to the bf mum, she sees just the autism label and you're trying to dispense with it and give him experiences with life. Keep it up, he will be adjusted to having people react differently to things he says and does just like you are.

Answer 8

Does he have sunglasses?  A hat with wide brim or visor?  Make sure he has adequate sun protection.  Also, he could have a headache and isn't verbalizing it - if indoors, close the curtains or blinds for him and see if that helps.

Answer 9

I think it's important to treat him like a normal person and not like he's simple or "special" in a negative way.  He's going to grow up to be an adult someday, so don't treat him like a child forever!  :)

Answer 10

well this is hard- becuase im sure the way he states it is pretty d**n funny. but do explain to him why the sun is so bright and u cant just simply turn it off. just because he has autism doesnt mean hes beyond understanding. they are some of the brightest kids i know.

Answer 11

That's actually not unusual. A lot of people with autism are much more sensitive to sounds and light.

You can get him a pair of really cool sunglasses, his choice of course, so he can wear them when he thinks the sun is too bright.

Answer 12

Laughing at him will probably make him talk less, (If you are doing so regularly) but I agree, try and treat him as much like his siblings as possible so he doesn't feel left out or isolated.

x

Answer 13

I giggled when I read it. it is cute. and you shouldn't treat him any different than the others except what needs need to be met in reguards to the autism.

I don't blame him though I would like the sun turned down a couple of notches my self.

to sweet, very cute.

Answer 14

you go ahead and laugh.  you know how to handle your son better then anyone else does.

Answer 15

You have to determine if his comment is because he's annoyed by it or if he actually is experiencing a light sensitivity problem.  

My brother's famous words (he has Asperger's) was 'What time it is".  He said this until he was nearly 12. We always thought it hilarious.  Kids say the funniest things, whether they have a disability or not.

Answer 16

Oh, he's good!!   I say that every darn morning when I'm driving into it!!!!  Can't see a darn thing.  

As his mother you know him better than anyone.

Answer 17

don't treat him different by doing that he really will not be able to grow to his full potential. my nephew is autistic and he says things like that all the time. maybe if you get him a cool pair of sun glasses or have him pick out a pair and tell him that we can't turn the sun off but we can shade things for you a little maybe he will take to that. good luck.

Answer 18

Bless him. Treat him special, because he is.

Answer 19

Its OK to laugh, its just something a young kid could say even if they aren't autistic! Your kids say funny things, so laugh! It doesnt matter if he's autistic.

Answer 20

The thing is with autism the sensory is really different.   If he is wanting the sun off the sun bothers him....You may get him a hat or a pair of sunglasses.

With autism sometimes you just don't have the filter to say things quite the "right" way so you have to read into what is being said.

Ex- My nephew is autistic....and he is 11.....he has learned with help through an amazing school system and support system...

When he says his ears burn...it means he is getting upset ( think about when your angry and your face gets flushed...because with autism everything is more sensitive).  So he knows now that he needs to talk to someone or go off by himself when they burn.

Don't beat yourself up...hey it is kinda funny...we have all had a late night that we woke up too early and at least thought the same thing .....turn the d**n sun back off....LOL

**Update**  Try some light redusing shades, or a privacy shade for the screen you can get them at an office store....These are used in offices alot of times to make sure someone cant read over your shoulder....but would work on your tv for the short periods when the sun is hitting the tv.....Or try to change his scedule of game time to avoid that time of day...

And give your mom permission to laugh....ask her what she would have done if you had said the same thing at his age??  LOL  Sometimes we just have to give those around us the permission to laugh.