I managed to get registered although the catagories for my "diagnosis" were limited. I chose "nuerotypical" as I do not have a diagnosis of autism or aspergers but can clearly see traits in myself that would suggest a high probability of one or the other.
Allow me to introduce myself...My name is Julie. I am a 37 year old mother of twins who are both diagnosed on the spectrum. Both were "typically developing" but both began a journey away from that near their 15 month anniversary of being on this planet.
My Daughter M, is currently doing very well and happy and able to adjust herself socially to "fit in" with NT kids. An outsider may notice she has a lag time answering a question and perhaps her misuse of pronouns but otherwise she is just about grade level socially and FAR above her peers academically. I'm happy to see this but I don't push her to do so. It is her doing.
My son J, lost (chose to lose?) his ability to speak at around 3.5 years old. I spent the last few years trying anything I could to communicate with him-finally finding RPM. He does NOT want to communicate but does it to please me he has told me. I currently believe he must communicate in some fashion to be able to live in society but I'm very open to hearing opinions that differ from mine regarding this.
I admit I initially was a "curbie" looking for any answer to bring back my children to where they began but along the way have found that they are who they are, and I'm just fine with that. I do still try to enrich their lives and use RPM as a way of communicating but I'm in a good place and have accepted that while they are not NT, they are certainly awesome kids and I wouldn't change that at all. I love my children and I am probably a better mother than I would have been if they were NT.
So I joined up to learn more about autism and how it affects people in different ways. I just want to be a better parent. I'm not looking for a "cure" I think autism in its many manifestations is really interesting but I am looking for advice on how to support my children. I DO believe my children were born one way and then changed. Whether it's genetics or environment I can't say for sure (although I have a pretty good idea). But I promise I'm no longer interested in "fixing" them. I'm only interested in hearing from people who have advice about helping my kids achieve their goals and ambitions and perhaps some insight from people who want to share what it is/was like to grow up with autism.
Thanks for taking time to read this. Julie
04 Sep 2010, 4:44 am
