BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Autism Spectrum Disorders ignorant family members

How old is James? I don't feel comfortable with field trips since you basically sign away everything for them to go, like if there was an accident you cannot sue the school, etc.

I actually do call the location of the trip to make sure the buses get there before I head on with my day and make sure I am watching the news in case of bus accidents.

Every time there is an accident on freeways it is always a special ed bus and that bothers me.

I do what feels best for me and my family. One of the issues I am glad to make the decision solely as the legal parent.

You're not being overprotective; you're doing what's best for your child. If you were telling us that you never let him go outdoors, then I might think you're wrong. Don't feel bad about your decision on the fieldtrip. We all have that "extra sense" that guides us to making decisions for our children. I don't go anywhere too 'dangerous' with my son...and I definitely stay away from dangerous water. My son, like yours, loves to jump in and can't judge depth at all. Needless to say, I passed up a vacation in San Antonio this summer for fear that my son would jump into the river along the River Walk.

Oh Gosh, when Michael was 2 he gave me (one of many) scare of my life. We went to my aunt's house for 4th of July, she has a pool. While I was putting the towels down, he just goes running 90 miles an hour and jumps in! Luckily mu uncle was already in the pool and was near enough to where Michael went in to get him, but he still wasn't scared, he thought it was great!

Autistic children often have NO FEAR!

To everyone thank you for the support I'm not feeling bad about him not going now. I pointed out to my husband that I'm the one who takes the boys to the beach in the summer so I know how James is around water first hand. By the way James is 8, he's small for his age though, the opposite of his older brother.James is also mostly non-verbal he will say some things mostly he repeats what he's heard . The class he's in now has started him using a "Go Talk Board" it has pictures and you push them and it says what you want, he's doing ok with it. He seems to be increasing with his words I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the go talk board . ToDay we went to a pizza place and out of the blue James says "I love the pizza" a complete sentence clear as day. we were all did he just say that and Isaid it sure sounded like it . My husband tried to get him to say it again but he wouldn't then later in the car he said it again. has anyone used those "go talk boards" and did it help their child's verbal skills? thanks

I can totally relate to unsupportive family members. My mother lives less than a block away and does not ever call or offer to help or see if I need anything. (I have lived here for a year and she has never stepped foot in my apartment!) I have given up letting her attitude bother me (TG for counselling) She once said to me in reference to my daughter. "She's not THAT autistic" and when I told her I was seeing a therapist she said, "I always handled my problems on my own, I did not need a therapist." And my daughters fathers family? Well, lets not go there...they all live in CA (including the ex) and all but one of them can barely even send a birthday card! My theory on all of them is what goes around comes around, and if thats the way they want to be....we are truly better off without them. I do believe it is good to have a support network though, and luckily I have very caring friends. Life is what you make it and when God gives you lemons (for family) you can choose to make lemonade <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> (and drink it without them)

Or....when life gives you lemons....you go buy tequila and salt!

I'm glad you're hanging in there. It's all we can do. You know, every now and then I run into someone who gets life, who is positive, and who doesn't see Autism as a curse. I recently met someone who said, "well, some kids have Asthma, some kids have Autism. We deal with it." I loved her for saying that.

Then....there are those who make my stomach turn with their insensitivity!.....

One of the most positive things about having Michael is that he never sees things the way other people do. His teachers have even commented on that. I even had one teacher tell me she felt inadequate when it came to teaching Michael because he was such a deep thinker.

It's not that he's a deep thinker it's that he "thinks around corners" (I don't remember where i heard that expression). Where all the rest of us tend to think in 2 dimensions, he sees in 3. And its so amazing to listen to him talk about things because you just go WOW! Especially when he gets in church. He often leaves our pastor shaking his head and grinning; and going searching for a book!

Anyone care to post about family stuff around Holidays???? I want SANTA CLAUSE NOW! LOL!

Ack! I still cannot believe Thanksgiving is next week!

What happened to this year?!?!? <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

We were talking in choir practice last Wed. night and the director says, "next week we won't have rehearsal, because of the church Thanksgiving dinner."

And I go, "wait, don't you mean week after next? Cause we always do it the week before Thanksgiving."

And almost the entire choir goes "It IS the week before Thanksgiving!"

and I'm just kind of sitting there with my mouth hanging open.

It is just me and my two kids so nothing to deal with on birthdays and holidays. Makes it simpler and sometimes sad since it is me that has to buy everything and I get nothing for birthday and holidays and mothers days.

There is no one to help Nicholas buy me a gift and he has no desire to get his brother anything. What he does want to do is get the neigbor's cat a gift

Matthew does not realize it is his birthday or really holidays, but does like all the decorations. I bought on Nov 1st a few new decorations at the Salvation Army store and was glad to be done with Halloween since we do not participate in that, neither kid gets dressed up and we do not go trick or treating.

I dont like that the schools have parades and make a big deal out of it. Maybe in middle school it is less of an activity at school?