Hi...im new to this forum, I came accross it through my hours of googling "autusm". My son who is 2.5 years is showing signs of autism, lack of eye contact, serious delayed speach, lack of understanding, little interest in social play ect. from being around 1 I have always had a feeling something was a bit off but his symptoms are getting worse the older he gets and there is no denying he is on the spectrum. But the problem is I feel like I'm drowning, I'm really struggling to cope with all the different things I had planned for my son when he was older that may not happen now and to be honest my heart is aching. it get easier? Do children improve? Will he ever be able to tell me he loves me? All of these questions are on my mind day and night. I have no friends in this situation and feel very much alone and isolated. I though talking to people who understand in this forum may help me see things differently and keep positive xx
Eventually I decided to concentrate on what my Son could do not what he may not do.
Its not wrong to think about the future but none of us know how that will pan out.
My Son is 20 he isn't like his peers but he is still lovable.
i have spent a lot of time observing him. He has simple things he does.likes choosing his own clothes. A walk in the park, going on holidays he has to be supported by me.
When he was younger it was hard because of others response to his violent behaviour
With consistency We managed to help him become less physical.
You will have lots of embarrassing moments & laughs on the way. Most parents do.
I myself am Atypical Autistic but only diagnosed in the last couple of years.
No one noticed these traits in me. So we can't tell how each person will develop, but thinking about me & my Son our Autism effects us very differentl.
Most of the time we able to be happy. So please have hope for your Child.
If you have the right support & regular breaks you may find it easier to cope.
Hi Hennifer, Autism is quite a complex area and there are many things that you may have read which won't apply to your son.
One book I have read which is quite simple, short and well presented as well as appearing directed towards parents (especially those of young children) is 'Reframe your thinking around autism' by Holly Bridges. The book also contains some exercises which might help him if he's feeling stressed.
As for feeling alone and isolated, I have found that all parents have an elevated concern for their children and that those concerns can feel like they apply to them or their family alone. If you're looking for specific support regarding autism, this website has some resources you can use. For example:
Firstly, welcome to the community. There are adults with autism, parents with autistic children and even adults with autism with autistic or non autistic children on the forum and we all have different things to contribute.
Autism does not mean anything about a child's IQ or ability to speak or understand things. Some children are delayed with speech or other skills coming later than average.
Autism itself cannot be cured but behaviour can and does change. Autistic children can and do learn things but they will always be different.
Personally, I got through many years of life, university, having a family before discovering I had autism but I understand that my autism is fundamentally the same as your child's autism. We will be different in a thousand ways but I do understand what autism means and what it doesn't.
You should probably discuss your child's progress with your GP or health visitor if you haven't already done so.
