of when you first tell people you have an autistic child?? You know, you are talking to either a friend or a co worker and it comes up. Or, when talking casually to a first time mom about things like vaccines. There is an awkward silence between conversation when I tell them "My son is autistic". It is the same pause when you tell people someone in your family has died. They don't know how to react. Well, let me tell you. All you have to do is ask the normal questions. You know, all the ones you stop asking when I bring up the "autism" word. He really is wonderful, and I will be the first to tell you so. You don't have to pity us as his parents, or him as the child. Understanding that he is first a 5yr old little boy is paramount. I like to fill that awkward silence with pointing out that he is just a wonderfully, unique little man. I will shout it out to the world if you let me. I will also shout out how wonderful my oldest son is....you know, the one who has to take shots everynight to grow. Don't feel sorry for him either. He does not feel sorry for himself. If anything, he has learned a most valuable lesson very early in life. "We are all the same, even though we are different". Sure, there are days when he does not feel like getting a shot; pleading "can we please skip tonight?? I am tired!" But, more often than not, he is ready when you say so.
So, don't go silent on me when I bring up my kids' diagnosis. To me, that is part of what makes them the unique and wonderful little people they are. They are not defined by it. And you know what? That awkward silence is not going to prevent me from talking about my kids. I am not going to hide them from anyone or the fact that they have some differences. No, life has not gone as I had planned, but I was never really the one in charge of that anyway. If anything, I will shout louder because of the negative thoughts associated with autism. Kind of like saying "Look at this kid. He smiles, he cries, he likes to go places, he likes toys, he likes music and bright colors, just like any other 5yr old! And he has autism." Yeah our days are filled with therapists and evaluations, and other things that most parents don't have to do. But, I would rather be doing this stuff than not have him at all. So, no, I would not trade my life as it is, because that would be saying there is something wrong with my life now.
So, how do YOU handle that awkward silence?? I really want to know.
4 comments:
Hi,
I do not let the silence occur - I can see it in the eyes of those I speak to so I just continue talking and explain my son's condition. My son is well behaved (mostly) and all say that he "don't look like it" when I explain his condition. In my experience the world is still cut in half - one half that accepts, and the other half that rejects.
Nice post! I always end up talking about how much progress my son has made, what needs to be put into play for that progress to be made, and how much we love his ABA provider and biomed Dr. People seem to love to hear about it and how kids are healing. If it's the kind of person that doesn't, I usually don't say anything. I guess I talk through the awkward silence!
Great ways to fill that silence!! I just keep raving about all the things he has accomplished. Most of our good friends are astounded by the progress he has made and they usually celebrate with us. It is those who don't know him too well that generally act that way.
Nice post. I have a husband and a daughter in the spectrum and I tried to go out with others with them and found myself talking too much and chattering trying to explain why they did not answer and what was going on. But then I felt awkward and embarrassed and wished I had not gone out because I felt like I shocked them and felt even guilty for letting them know what I was going through to put the listeners at ease at the expense of my husband's privacy. But your post made me feel better, because I did not say anything negative but celebrated their strengths to compensate for their lack of verbal output. I have even lost a job once when my employer found out my husband was in the spectrum be she said, "I am very concerned as to what kind of person would marry someone in the spectrum." THis employer was also my daughters principal and she retaliated by denying services for my child. I filed an EEO and after 3 years, it is still pending and I am losing.
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