Please share your own ideas and suggestions in the comments section below!
Jamie’s comment, “Nobody is more of an expert on your child than you, ” gained the most likes, while Justina’s was, “Never underestimate the intelligence of autistic people!”
Adrian had a simple but important message for fathers of children with autism: “Dad, get involved. Yeah, you may have a demanding job, but not only does being involved benefit your child, but it benefits you as well. You are also your child’s advocate. Please make a commitment to attend as many Dr appointments, therapy sessions, and parent invites your child may have at his/her school as possible. You owe it to your child to be just as active as the mom is when it comes to ensuring your child gets the best care that he/she can. The burden of raising an autistic child shouldn’t fall squarely on the mom alone. Step up!!”
“Never beat yourself up or call yourself a bad parent. From experience, you will have easy days and not-so-good days. Have patience and get rest when you can. Get as much help and therapy for your child. Was Karen’s important message.
Tonya recommended “PATIENCE! It is very frustrating at times to be a parent or caregiver to someone on the spectrum. It is really easy to lose your patience with them at times, but you have to remember that they didn’t choose to be this way!” Sara suggested “ACCEPTANCE. Each child just wants to know they are loved and safe. Don’t try to change who they are; try to be more like them.”
Kyle said “Don’t shelter your child. Allow them to find their place in this world rather than protect them from it.”
On a practical note, Sherleen said, “Triple lock the doors or install alarms if you have an escape artist.” Amy shared, “Use first this, “then”….. that works well for my daughter.”
Another said, ” Always remember they will see and feel the world in their own way ! And it’s okay to be different !” Yet another reader said, “Always be prepared and have a good routine to avoid a meltdown.”
Dana suggested this, and I have to say I agree: “Make them live normally. Teach them right from wrong. Demand appropriate behaviour. Teach them to play and imagine. Colour therapy, speech therapy, and behaviour therapy. Autism doesn’t mean, no holds barred. My son 22 had full blown Autism. He’s a high-function Aspie now. Start each day with a clean slate.”
I’d like to end by quoting way more than on reader with a statement which gets my full support “Choose your battles!!”.
So what is your tip?
Why not share it in the comments section below?
I really appreciate any help you can provide.
| colleensaddress | Researchers around the world have done a great deal of work for the autistic child. But, just like we all know, they are in bits and pieces like a puzzle, and it’s up to us to put them together. My granddaughter is just now beginning to make eye contact and to say her first words after 4 years. Having studied root possibilities, we focused on eliminating toxins such as glyphosate-based herbicides used in GMO practices, overly-processed foods (refined sugars and starches) and chlorine. All of which are now directly linked to the development of autism in clinical studies. We have been introducing organic foods and natural supplements. We see a difference, her therapists see a difference. |
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Very handful of websites that take place to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly nicely worth checking out. |
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| PHOTO LADY | I’m not a parent of autism, but I had an experience today that really threw me for a loop. I’m a youth sports photographer and while taking pictures today I noticed a young boy having a meltdown. He was kicking and punching his mother and throwing his bat towards one of my fellow photographers. My first thought was not autism, I just thought he was a brat and I was concerned hat he was going to damage one of our cameras. While trying to line his team up “tallest to shortest”, he was hitting and grabbing the hat off his teammate. He was crying and I was thinking his mom might pull him out of the group shot since he was so upset, but she didn’t? She just crouched down behind him, trying to hold him up as he flopped around swinging his arms. I went with it and took 3-4 pictures, but then tried to adjust the children to get a better photographic arrangement. I saw that the boy was again about to punch the teammate next to him and I put my hand between the boys to block the blow. The mom of the abusive boy started screaming at me, “How dare I grab her child with autism!” I told her I was sorry, it was a protective reflex. I just couldn’t stand by and watch the other child be smacked again (side-note: I never grabbed the boy. I just blocked the other boy from being punched yet again). She said she didn’t accept my apology. I apologized again and said it was wrong of me to intervene. She stormed off angry and screaming, “She couldn’t stand by and watch me grab her autistic child “. I in actuality do not feel as though I was wrong. Had I known he was autistic before I took the picture, I don’t think my reaction would have been any different. Why should he get a pass to be violent to another child? I’m asking you, the autism community, shouldn’t she have not forced him to be in the picture if it was upsetting him so? I feel very unsettled that she was so angry with me and so unconcerned for the welfare of the other children on the team. There are challenger sports leagues for special needs children. I’ve photographed many and have been praised for my patience and compassion, while attempting to get the best photograph possible. Any thoughts about this would be appreciated. I do not profess to know what you deal with day to day. I raised three healthy children, I’m an elementary school teacher, and a freelance youth sports photographer. I love all children and just want to be better educated on an appropriate response should I ever be in this situation again. |
“An autism-led study reveals important priorities for supporting autistic girls and gender diverse youth.”
Autistic girls and gender-diverse youth identified six key research areas. Image courtesy University of Technology Sydney.
A new study led by autistic individuals and researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) sheds light on the challenges faced by autistic girls, women, and gender-diverse individuals within healthcare, the education system, and society.
The research paper “Nothing About Us, Without Us”: Research Priorities for Autistic Girls, Women, and Gender Diverse People in Australia emphasizes the critical need for inclusive support to enhance the well-being of autistic individuals. It also offers important insights for the National Autism Strategy, which is currently undergoing community consultation.
Study co-lead Dr. Rachel Grove from the UTS School of Public Health stated that the research aims to address the longstanding gaps in understanding the experiences of autistic women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals.
Historically, autism has been viewed through a gendered lens with incorrect assumptions that only boys can be autistic, resulting in oversight and inadequate support.
Dr. Grove emphasized the importance of having autistic individuals conduct the research.
Sarah Gurrin, a co-lead on the project and autistic herself, mentioned that researchers often study autism without understanding the lived experience and breadth of the condition.
“This research is crucial to prevent another lost generation of autistic girls, women, and gender diverse individuals.”
The researchers listened to the perspectives of over 100 autistic girls and gender-diverse individuals aged 7 to 17, deliberately excluding parents and health professionals in order to prioritize the voices of autistic youth.
As Hayley Clapham, a co-lead in the research, who has autism, explains, “For too long, autism research focused on children and young people has predominantly reflected the perspectives of clinicians, educators, and parents.”
“To ensure that research accurately responds to the needs and experiences of autistic young people, it is crucial that researchers prioritize their inclusion in shaping and informing research and outcomes that directly impact their lives.”
The findings, distilled into six key research priority areas for autistic young people, provide a roadmap for meaningful change.
The foremost concern expressed by autistic girls and gender-diverse young people was the need for greater understanding and support at school, including tailored inclusive support across all educational environments.
One autistic young person told the researchers:
“The fact is that I can be in a school system where I don’t receive the support I need because I’m not visibly struggling. I think there needs to be more awareness spread of how autism looks and that it’s not a little mould that someone can fit into.”
Autistic girls and gender-diverse young people also want a better understanding of their experiences, strengths and challenges related to puberty, sensory differences, and self-regulation needs and to see themselves represented in society and the media.
As one autistic young person put it:
“I didn’t see the representation of an autistic person that looked or acted like me, a girl, a teenager, all of these things.”
The third priority outlines the pressing need for specialised mental health services tailored to the autistic experience. This is critical, given autistic women are 83% more likely to lose their lives by suicide than the general population.
One young person said:
“I spent years struggling in school until I mentally broke … Why does it take so long to help autistic females? Why do we have to be mentally exhausted?”
Other research priorities included friendships and relationships, inclusive policies and resources that affirm and respect diverse gender identities, and focus on support first. The researchers say this is critical given the greater gender diversity among autistic people.
The final research priority focuses on accommodations to make life easier, such as practical adjustments that alleviate stress, build capacity and promote autonomy.
The researchers also spoke to over 300 autistic women and gender-diverse adults, with a further eight key priorities identified, including understanding experiences of trauma, abuse and sexual violence and addressing barriers in healthcare, education and the workplace.
One autistic adult spoke of the importance of recognising the strengths of autistic young people and supporting them to flourish:
“I think these girls, these strengths and these brains need to be embraced and utilised. These brilliant, brilliant human beings… I wished I had those tools and that I was allowed to thrive and be who I am when I was that young.”
Tess Moodie, an autistic co-lead in the research, said, “For years, we have been saying there should be nothing about us without us.
“I am hopeful this will set the standard for commitments from future researchers, both for the priorities and authentically collaborating with autistic people in the co-development of research.
“This work sets the agenda for future research to help autistic young people live better lives in our neurotypical-centred world.”
Autism in Adulthood-Dying Young and Misunderstood
Autism in adulthood is often overlooked, which can lead to worsened physical and mental health outcomes. Elizabeth is advocating for reforming support systems to increase safeguarding and support for neurodiverse communities. Elizabeth Weir is a postdoctoral researcher at the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge and a Rokos PDRA Fellow at Queens College. She aims to address gaps in current research by highlighting the needs of understudied and underserved groups within the autism community, such as middle-aged and older individuals, those with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and those assigned female at birth.
What are the Benefits of Autism?
:People with autism are not only just as capable of succeeding in life as people without autism, but they also have advantages in gaining success. Often, people take pity on those with autism, thinking that this is a disadvantage or a burden. Zach will explain how people with autism see problems from a unique perspective and how their different perspectives are beneficial. Zach believes it is important to bring this misconception to light because of the growing number of people diagnosed with autism.
Bio: Zach is a 9th-grade student at South Fayette High School. Zach is an active student, passionate about running varsity cross country and track, and participating in student government. He also participates in a program called “Random Acts of Kindness,” which brings joy to others through compassionate acts such as making cards for children in hospitals and cancer ribbons to show support. Zach also has a heart for people with mental health issues, actively showing support and kindness to friends. After high school, Zach is interested in pursuing a career in journalism. Zach would like to thank his family for their support throughout his life.
“Autism is not a disorder, but a difference.”
Katie Forbes discusses the harmful impact of treating autism as a disorder that needs to be fixed or cured. She advocates for seeing autism simply as a difference, not something negative or inferior. She emphasizes the negative effects of masking and the need to strive for inclusivity. Katie Forbes, a journalist based in Aberdeen, Scotland, with a background in digital and social media marketing, currently works as the Engagement Producer at Reach PLC and is the Creative Lead of the ReachAbility committee. Katie, who received an autism diagnosis at the age of 11, is the Founder and Director of Autistic Flair, an online community and resource hub dedicated to amplifying autistic voices and fostering an inclusive future for everyone. Through her website and Instagram page, Katie is a well-established advocate for the autistic community.