Hi there,
We have recently realised that our 9 year old son has (undiagnosed) high performing autism. The thing is, although his school see in class the traits we see at home, they wont offer support as he is academically performing above his peers. My son finds it difficult to make friends, he uses sarcasm (thinking it is funny) in the wrong context and his remarks can be cutting, his default conversation is about facts, 'did you know....' particularly when he is around people he doesn't know well, mouth stimming plus many other markers too.
Me and my hubby are trying to educate ourselves around high performing autism but there doesn't seem to be much out there. We haven't told our son yet although recently he told me he feels like he doesn't fit in, and said 'I'm a bit weird, aren't I mum?' which was heartbreaking to hear. I think we have decided to tell him before he starts secondary school in 2 years time, but we'll see what this next year brings first. I feel like I need to be fully educated before I tell him. I need him to feel that we've got this, and sound confident around the subject, which right now seems a long way off.
I just don't know how to best support him. I pick him up on things, like the sarcastic remarks, the mouth stimming (in a nice way, rather than tell him off) etc because I don't want him to chew is nails and fingers until they bleed etc, but the bottom line is, if this is part of who he is, how much will actually change anyway/ I don't want to dent his confidence and have him feel I'm always nit picking.
- When do you know the best time to tell your child they have austism?
- is there any benefit to a diagnosis for high performing autism (I can't see any)?
- Can you recommend any books/ advise lines specifically around high performing autism?
- Any other advice or tips?
Thanks so much to anyone who can give any advice and help me find my way through this. My son is amazing and I just want to get this right for him.
