A Parent Speaks
"LIFE with an autistic child is all about extremes. I've lost count of the times I've heard "oh, but all children do that". But what is a "normal" child's hobby is an autistic child's obsession.
A toddler's tantrum is no comparison to a no-holds-barred autistic nine year old in full flow for more than an hour. And there is no form of reasoning or bribery which can filter through to a child who wears invisible blinkers and has no concept of other people's feelings never mind the desire to take them into account.
I had to "grieve" for the child I thought I had and for the adult I thought he might become. Now I realise it was a child I never had other than in my own mind and that taking away my child's autism, which has such a huge bearing and influence on his life and already remarkable character, would be like losing that "child" all over again.
I came to terms, as much as anyone could, with the fact that my child would always be autistic and determined that whatever happened I would strive to do whatever it took to maximise whatever potential he has and, succeed or fail, he would be afforded every opportunity.
An autistic child's expected life span is as long as anyone else's and money spent on supporting them at an early age will pay dividends for them and the rest of society when they become adults. In cold hard cash terms it is cost effective for everyone. And better education of more professionals, and increased awareness within the general public, will help in the quest to make the world a more welcoming place."
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