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Grandparents raising autistic grandchild.

Blossom

Hi,

I was wondering if there are any other grandparents out there raising their autistic grandchildren? We are in our fifties and have been legal guardians to our 13 year old grandson with high functioning autism for the past 7 years.

He exhibits rigid, obsessive and often violent behaviours and as we age the problems don't get any easier. Its had a telling effect on our health and certainly our social relationships. Most of our old friends have dwindled away ...they are rightly enjoying their middle age without their now grown up children and are enjoying the new freedoms that it brings.

But life is frequently rewarding, fascinating and hysterically funny living with our grandson. He's bright, affectionate and has a cheeky sense of humour. 

We don't know anybody in our situation and would welcome the chance to swap notes and just chat with any grandparents out there who know what its like to be REALLY TIRED!!

  • Hi again Blossom.  I used to take it very personally when my son was a child regarding the amount of respite we got.  I did understand that it was all the council budget cd afford but at the same time I seriously resented that as I felt we needed it more than most.  It made me feel we were somehow "lesser".  Especially when I saw all the playschemes being advertised in our local paper for other children.  I can understand why you value so much your 3 hrs.  I also found that my son enjoyed his time at respite.  I think we both appreciated the break.  Unfortunately, because of the economy, we are unlikely to see a change for the better any time soon.  But don't get me on to that 1  !!

  • Thank you so much for your kind words.So far we have been given three hours a week respite. They are precious hours 

  • Hi,  I am a singlemum to an almost teenager with Autism ( highish functioning) OCD and depression.  I wanted to say thank you for what you are doing.  My sons grandparents are amazing, and have my son a couple of afternoons a week, as he only goes to school part time.  I am so grateful to them, as I am exhausted, looking after a child with ASD is hard, but so rewarding, my son is so affectionate, and is lovely to have around and so funny on a good day. My parents are my only support, without them I would be on the floor!!

    I understand how tiring it is for you, and I don't know if you have someone to say thank you for being amazing grandparents, so I will.

    As a p.s. have you asked intergated childrens services to do an assessment, they can implement a buddy system (my son has a "big brother" who takes him out once a week during holidays, they can also organise respite care, so you get a break.

  • Hi Blossom - welcome Smile.  I'm not a grandparent.  My son is in his 20s in supported living.  I think a number of posters who aren't grandparents can still relate to your post.  There may be grandparents on here - I can't remember - maybe they'll be along soon.