So Frustrated

[kmh1706]

I have a younger brother who is 10 years old and he was just diagnosed with autism. I'm at college right now, and the first thing I did was cry. I go home often to visit him and he'll get frustrated because he can't express himself in the way he wants to, and he'll start crying and screaming. I used to want to cry when he did because I wanted to take away his problems and I can't. Now I just sit there and feel numb. And everyone says its OK to cry, but I can't anymore. Its even harder because my parents are stull trying to deal with the diagnosis, and occasionally my dad will yell at my brother when he starts to cry. I want to yell at my dad and tell him its not my brother's fault, but I can't. My dad's getting better at dealing with my brother's tantrums, but its hard on all of us. I feel like worrying over my brother is seriously wearing down my nerves and I just don't have the emotional strength that I used to. I'm really worried about when he starts 5th grade in the fall because he'll be in a bigger school, and I know from experience that because the town is so small, the kids have inherited their parents small-mindedness and prejudice. I'm worried that they'll tease him and alienate him lke they used to tease and alienate everyone with any form of disability.

[AutMom]

Maybe now that he is diagnosed, there will be more help and support. Students can be educated about autism and taught to be more supportive than hurtful. Maybe some of his present classmates who are also going on to 5th grade will be some support to him. And hopefully the school environment has improved since you were in it.... Some schools now have bully programs to protect kids against teasing. Have your parents keep you updated on things, but also remember to try to think of yourself too. Its also ok not to cry.

[pink_bed]

hiya,
I know exactly how you feel and what your going through. Like you I also have a ten-year old brother with autism and my other brother who is 6 has it also. Life is really tough living with them, half the time I want to cry and the other half of the time I feel like I should be grateful that I have to healthy brothers. Recently my family and I had to go and stay at this place called the 'Croft' centre which specialises in children with mental health problems-we had to stay for a week so they could observe how we work us a family and how my brothers communicate with us and see if they could do anything to help. it was really upsetting bein there as it made me see that my brothers are really going to struggle in life trying to fit in with society-it really hurts deep down ya know?
Do u live in the US then? Im from the UK-how old are u? Im 16
please reply
x

[helpme123]

[QUOTE=kmh1706]I have a younger brother who is 10 years old and he was just diagnosed with autism. I'm at college right now, and the first thing I did was cry. I go home often to visit him and he'll get frustrated because he can't express himself in the way he wants to, and he'll start crying and screaming. I used to want to cry when he did because I wanted to take away his problems and I can't. Now I just sit there and feel numb. And everyone says its OK to cry, but I can't anymore. Its even harder because my parents are stull trying to deal with the diagnosis, and occasionally my dad will yell at my brother when he starts to cry. I want to yell at my dad and tell him its not my brother's fault, but I can't. My dad's getting better at dealing with my brother's tantrums, but its hard on all of us. I feel like worrying over my brother is seriously wearing down my nerves and I just don't have the emotional strength that I used to. I'm really worried about when he starts 5th grade in the fall because he'll be in a bigger school, and I know from experience that because the town is so small, the kids have inherited their parents small-mindedness and prejudice. I'm worried that they'll tease him and alienate him lke they used to tease and alienate everyone with any form of disability.[/QUOTE]


Hi. I have a 9 year old brother with autism(he is in 4th grade) . He has had it since he was just a baby. Luckily, he only has asperger syndrom, a minor type of autism. I am only 17 months older than him, but my mom treats me like I'm 15 sometimes. She is also divorced, so it is hard on all of us. We have the same worries that you do for your brother. We are worried about middle school. My suggestions for you and your family for dealing with your brother for the rest of his life is to only look at his good side. Think about his beautiful soul and how much you love him and value your time with him. I know that his disability is heartbreaking, but in the end, God will makethings worth while. Well, goodluck with your brother.