Regarding Autism, do you honestly believe parents when they say..?

Question

I wouldn't change a thing about my autistic child?

I have a beautiful 9 yr old daughter who has autism. I would gladly change her repetitive scripts of the day to appropriate speech and conversation, her extreme anxiety when upset, her obsessions.... When she was younger, I would most definitely have changed her running off, f***s smearing, and toilet plugging activities! I honestly don't think taking away those features would change her overall nature and character, but it would make her life, and those around her easier! Thoughts?

Answer 1

I agree with you. My friend's son has autism and she says that to me. But there are times when she is so stressed and on the verge of tears. changing the things he does wouldn't make his nature any different.

Answer 2

I think it's just a way of saying that they love their child the way he or she is, and would not change them to make them a different person, to make their lives easier, not that they don't want their child cred.

I think it's more in response to the people that think if a child has Autism that they ought to be gotten rid of or aborted, or that other children are "better" than autistic children.

It's natural to say "This is my child, I love him/her, and I wouldn't change him/her." no matter what disabilities the child might have.

Answer 3

While I don't have a child with a disability, I tend to agree with you.  Honestly, there are things I would change about my healthy children to make life easier.  I can imagine I would want that even more if I had a child with autism.  God Bless!

Answer 4

Honestly ?

When Thomas was first diagnosed with severe autism at aged 3 i would have said yes of course i would want to make him 'Better' if that's the right word, but now i have learnt to love and learn more about him as an individual and a person and his strange and funny habits he has, Thomas is 10 now and non verbal and still in nappies he is who he is now and i we love him regardless of the autism

Answer 5

My autistic daughter is 10.

I think that what has happened with the people who say they wouldn't change anything is called acceptance.

There are MANY things that I would change about my daughter, but not for ME, for HER. I live with her every day and it is a terrible thing to see someone trapped by their mind. She is breathtakingly beautiful, but speaks little and that is the cause of so much of her frustration. Not being able to communicate well and wanting things that you just don't know how to ask for is a horrible thing.

I have accepted the way she is, but in no way will I ever say that there isn't anything I wouldn't change. If I could I would change things FOR her, not about her, if that makes any sense.

Answer 6

my 5 year old brother has autism =(

Answer 7

I can't really weigh in since i don't have a child with autism but would love to recommend a book to you all...Louder than words by Jenny McCarthy. She talks about her sons diagnosis and recovery with autism. I know not all autistic children can "recover" like her son has, it's still a great read. I am pregnant and recently found out that autism runs in my husbands biological family....I'm reading to prepare myself just in case.....that book gave me hope!

Answer 8

no-    because there are alot of things i would change about my 9 yr old son--  I fear what is going to happen to him when he gets older and tries to fit in the real world--  luckily he does not have severe autistic symptoms, but his social skills are terrible-   people who do not know him perceive him as rude or insensitive--  (he's cute and has lots of girls trying to talk to him and he constantly ignores them)