I would like advice from anyone who is high-functioning on the autism spectrum, or who has a family member or friend who is. My son (10) has always been a quirky kid. I saw things that made me wonder if he was on the spectrum, but when I brought it up to his doctors they brushed it off. "He's affectionate, he makes eye contact! Some kids are just quirky!" (I am kicking myself now for not pushing harder, believe me).
In the past few months his 'quirks' reached a level where it was beginning to impair his ability to function in school. So I took him to a counselor and at the end of the first session she said she believed he is a very high-functioning autistic. I was thrilled, really. Finally someone else saw what I did and could tell us how to help. We are not having him formally diagnosed right now because 1) he's super-smart and would figure out in a minute what they were trying to diagnose, and (knowing this kid) he would then try to use his diagnosis as an excuse and 2) she thinks he is so high-functioning that he doesn't need any school accommodations or would need them. We have told him his brain works a little differently than most people's, there is nothing wrong with that, and many people with similar brains have become very successful, often because of their ability to think differently. If he wants to pursue a diagnosis when he is older then he can.
We have altered our reactions and how we deal with some of his behaviors, based on suggestions from his counselor, and it seems to be working well. He really likes her and has made some suggestions of his own that seem to be helping. Right now is the time when we need to build him up and give him the tools to handle the rest of his life. Anyone with the same kind of brain, are there any other suggestions for us, his parents? How can we help him learn to deal with his differences and become a successful adult? How did people help you (or how do you wish they had)? My son is extremely intelligent, and most of his issues involve dealing with frustration, processing certain things (he often asks you to reframe questions, for example), connecting to his own emotions and making decisions.
He is going to do great things in his life, we just want to make it easier for him. Thank you in advance for any suggestions!
In the past few months his 'quirks' reached a level where it was beginning to impair his ability to function in school. So I took him to a counselor and at the end of the first session she said she believed he is a very high-functioning autistic. I was thrilled, really. Finally someone else saw what I did and could tell us how to help. We are not having him formally diagnosed right now because 1) he's super-smart and would figure out in a minute what they were trying to diagnose, and (knowing this kid) he would then try to use his diagnosis as an excuse and 2) she thinks he is so high-functioning that he doesn't need any school accommodations or would need them. We have told him his brain works a little differently than most people's, there is nothing wrong with that, and many people with similar brains have become very successful, often because of their ability to think differently. If he wants to pursue a diagnosis when he is older then he can.
We have altered our reactions and how we deal with some of his behaviors, based on suggestions from his counselor, and it seems to be working well. He really likes her and has made some suggestions of his own that seem to be helping. Right now is the time when we need to build him up and give him the tools to handle the rest of his life. Anyone with the same kind of brain, are there any other suggestions for us, his parents? How can we help him learn to deal with his differences and become a successful adult? How did people help you (or how do you wish they had)? My son is extremely intelligent, and most of his issues involve dealing with frustration, processing certain things (he often asks you to reframe questions, for example), connecting to his own emotions and making decisions.
He is going to do great things in his life, we just want to make it easier for him. Thank you in advance for any suggestions!
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