Telling your child they have autism

My son had his ASD diagnosis last week. After waiting for a while we have decided to pay. His diagnosis has been a huge relief but now we have a diagnosis, I am in a quandary about how to tell him. He is 10 years old and more than certain he wouldn’t understand this. How have others approached this? I want to be led by him and at the right time but can anyone share their owN experiences or thoughts on ways to do this? Thank you Blush 

Parents
  • I was diagnosed at 10 and it felt very behind my back tbh and I resented it so much when I eventually found out what the diagnosis was I was livid nobody had trusted me enough to tell me until I left school.

    I don't think it has to be a very indepth chat, but an upfront "so hey bud guess what you are autistic and we just want you to know there's nothing wrong with that and we still love you " would certainly have gone a long way with me.

    Then just ask if he has questions, and keep the anwsers short and kid legible if he does. It may well even be that his follow up quesion is after hearing he's loved regardless is just "can I have pizza tonight?", because all kids really want to know is that there's nothing "wrong with them and that they are loved.

Reply
  • I was diagnosed at 10 and it felt very behind my back tbh and I resented it so much when I eventually found out what the diagnosis was I was livid nobody had trusted me enough to tell me until I left school.

    I don't think it has to be a very indepth chat, but an upfront "so hey bud guess what you are autistic and we just want you to know there's nothing wrong with that and we still love you " would certainly have gone a long way with me.

    Then just ask if he has questions, and keep the anwsers short and kid legible if he does. It may well even be that his follow up quesion is after hearing he's loved regardless is just "can I have pizza tonight?", because all kids really want to know is that there's nothing "wrong with them and that they are loved.

Children
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