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Recently diagnosed 11yr old - did you share diagnosis straight away?

FJH2013

Hi,

My son has recently been diagnosed with autism, I’ve not yet shared this diagnosis with him, and am interested to know whether others chose to share their child’s diagnosis with them straight away or if you held off for a while? If so, what were the reasons for this? 

Parents

  • Fwiw.......

    Whether it be regarding yourself, or your off-spring.........my advice (derived from experience,) is to keep your own counsel, unless there is some substantive practical benefit (for you, or your off-spring) by broadcasting "a fact".......as you now understand it.  In my experience = generally, no one cares + "the people that matter to you" would prefer not to be "impositioned" with finding trite "NT phraseology" to pretend otherwise, especially if they think the whole ND "trending" has got out of proportion to their understanding of reality and "reasonableness" in a mixed societal hierarchy.

    Perhaps this/my opinion is a little "dark" and is certainly "less-than" bursting with "loud-and-proud-positivity".......but like I say......my advice is derived from experience and an unusually astute observational acuity of human interactivity [to the best of my knowledge and understanding.]

    HOWEVER.......please be reassured that, in my opinion, self knowledge (or insight into the lived reality of your off-spring) can be TRULY transformational!  I just don't think we all need to shout our truth at anyone in earshot!

    I hope this is a helpful opinion to you, at this time.

  • in reply to Number

     , I think the OP is asking about sharing the diagnosis with their Autistic son, not the general public.

    My guess is that there's no rush. He may have questions and it may be worthwhile learning a bit about Autism in advance, so you'll be better prepared to answer them.

    There is information here on NAS and here's something from Down Under:

Reply Children
  • in reply to Damojo

    Thank you damo.

    I agree with your assessment of the questioners intent.  Equally, I cannot imagine a more "disinterested" audience to any "declaration of autism" than a truly autistic, 11yr old  boy!  I mean......how the living hell is a truly autistic 11 yr old supposed to "react"/"usefully process" a declaration of "You're autistic" from their parent(s), as defined by some 3rd party?

    Accordingly, although my advice is somewhat mis-directed (thanks again to damo).......the essence of the advice holds true.....perhaps with more apposition than I had originally intended?!