Do I tell my little boy he has autism? Please help

My boy is 5, he is going at his own pace with much support. However I sense he knows he is different? How do I explain to a very literal and sensitive little boy what autism is? 

Parents
  • We tell our son that he is different like mummy & daddy (we are both diagnosed) and that it's not a bad thing, everybody is different.

    I think it's easier to keep it simple with them, they don't need to know what lies ahead for them in life. Just reassure that you will be there to help. 

  • Thank you for this, I use phrases like this to him a lot. Can I ask you this, how did it feel when you understood it? Relief? I always wonder how he will feel. 

    Thanks again 

  • Hard to say - as my wife was diagnosed when she was 4 we always knew it was more than likely he was going to be autistic. It was a relief to have the Dr's finally agree with us that he is so we can get him the support he needs.

    I was only recently diagnosed this year and have felt a range of relief, confusion, frustration from it. But my wife and I both say we have learnt so much from watching him develop (he's 4) and how it relates back to our own childhoods. 

    Here's a quick breakdown of why I think I felt what I did/do:

    Relief - finally knowing why I couldn't do or was bad at some things (socialising etc)

    Confusion - why wasn't it picked up before...

    Frustration - Partly as above why it wasn't picked up, but mainly getting other people to accept the diagnosis

  • Thank you - this shines so much light for me and I really appreciate it.

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