Autistic Hedgehog
RSSI explained to my kid this week that he is autistic. He sort of knew already -- he definitely knew his brother is autistic -- but it came up and he shook when he asked about it. I hope I did it right. I tried to explain that it's just a difference in him that sometimes makes life harder and sometimes makes life better, and other kids have their own kind of differences. Emphasized that we love his differences. How would your readers (or you) want it explained to them as kids?
My mom did me the unfortunate service of not telling me until some years after my diagnosis; had I been, oh, three when I was diagnosed, this wouldn’t be so bad, but I was nine, and she waited until I’d been badly bullied for some time to tell me. So I think it’s good that you’re talking to your kids about it and that you’re open to them asking questions about it.
I really wish my mom had been willing to learn more about it, and helped me learn, and I hope you’ll take the opportunity to do that with your children. There will be struggles and self-doubt and all manner of questions as the years go by, and it will be so much easier for them and you if they always know they can turn to you, that you’ll be there to help them. If you find yourself explaining again, a little in the future, about their autism, don’t be surprised; it may take time for them to fully absorb what that means. But your understanding and willingness to help and learn will make the road all the smoother.
That, I think, is what I would have wanted. Not someone with all the answers, as such, but someone who would be there to help me find the answers.
Hedgehogs, what say ye?
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