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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!!

Parents

  • 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  !!

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  • 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  !!

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