Christmas guilt

Hi im a single mum of two gorgeous boys. My eldest was born with down syndrome then later diagnosed with cerebral palsy (hemiplegia) and since he was 3 i,m convinced he is on the autism spectrum. No doctor is prepared to take the leap and as they say labelling him yet another disability But have said he does not respond in the typical way to social circumstances. He cuddles me on his terms he has started signing eat, drink, and just recently ate the age of 6 years old developed pointing. But in day yo day communication he is lacking. Basically as long as his needs are met he takes himself way from social surroundings and sits in his room with tv on or tv off. Christmas was hrad we are all enjoying our day bit jack refuses to take part in any of it unless hungry then takes himself away agian. It breaks my heart. Ge is not hard work in a tantrum kind of way i suppose due to him not walking yet its physically draining, but really its the guilt of him not getting involved. How do i manage this guilt ive carried it round for 6 years and counting. Sorry to sound off. But would appreciate any replies 

  • Hi there I would just like to say I think you are coping very well and you have a lot to deal with, my daughter is autistic and Xmas is very stressful as she's excited but at the same time stressed/anxious and she also takes herself off to her room when it all gets too much, I don't think youve got anything to be guilty about you're doing the best you can.

     The way I think about it with my daughter is, she is not interested in doing "Christmassy" things so there's no point feeling guilty as she couldn't careless! sounds like your son is the same so I would try and just let him carryon with what he wants to do and don't feel guilty it's not easy :)

  • I expect if you've got a child already with Downs and Celebral Palsy, it must be fairly complicated to actually diagnose Autism on top of it? 

    I can't give any advice on this but good luck with it all.