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The start of Our Autism Journey

Natalie2607

Hi,

I am new to the site and am looking for other parents in a similar position to chat to!

My little boy is 2 next month and I have known since an early age we would be looking at a diagnosis of Autism. From a young age he has presented nearly all of the typical symptoms which have become more obvious as he has got older.

He is now going to be monitored by what his paediatrician called the Autism Umbrella team and we will hopefully have a formal diagnosis in around a years time.

He is such a happy and content little boy on the whole and we are grateful he is healthy.

I would love to know how other parents are coping - I on the whole am struggling. Although I have always known this was where we were headed it has still been difficult to accept when you hear the thoughts from a professional. I am trying to accept the new path which we now need to be on. I have heard other parents of Autistic children describe how they almost felt they needed to grieve the child they thought they would have. I think this is how I am feeling - although this makes me feel extremely selfish and guilty.

Just wondering if anyone else can share their thoughts and feelings - it would be appreciated :)  

Parents

  • I'm an autistic parent, but I don't have an autistic child. I always knew I wasn't what my mother had planned. She constantly told me as I was growing up & forced me to comply with the masses. I know you won't do that to your child. I've never been conventional. But my mother had no idea what autism was & avoided professionals like the plague due to her violent husband. And probably also as she knew something wasn't right with me, but feared I could be taken away. I feel since my diagnosis at 31 she has felt a little grief. In a way it's not selfish because she thought she gave birth to a neuro typical. I must admit I had no idea what autism was, but couldn't give a fig as the symptoms obviously weren't news to me. But I can see how it may feel like a loss to a parent just finding out. She lost what she thought at birth was a neuro typical female. And she didn't have any other children after me, I was her only daughter. I feel a bit sad for her, I had grown up always wanting a sister.

Reply

  • I'm an autistic parent, but I don't have an autistic child. I always knew I wasn't what my mother had planned. She constantly told me as I was growing up & forced me to comply with the masses. I know you won't do that to your child. I've never been conventional. But my mother had no idea what autism was & avoided professionals like the plague due to her violent husband. And probably also as she knew something wasn't right with me, but feared I could be taken away. I feel since my diagnosis at 31 she has felt a little grief. In a way it's not selfish because she thought she gave birth to a neuro typical. I must admit I had no idea what autism was, but couldn't give a fig as the symptoms obviously weren't news to me. But I can see how it may feel like a loss to a parent just finding out. She lost what she thought at birth was a neuro typical female. And she didn't have any other children after me, I was her only daughter. I feel a bit sad for her, I had grown up always wanting a sister.

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