hello everyone

[autimom]

hi everyone i am the mother of a beautiful hf individual, she is 7 and goes to an optional school where she is mainstreamed i am also in the spectrum. The autistic mom of an autistic child, i don't have to wonder why she's strange. i have some pretty untraditional beliefs about my daughter's "disorder" she recieves speech and occ therapy thruogh school but much to the dismay of her teacher i have refused any meds for behavioral issues. She comes from a long line of non-conformists, autism aside, so she has a really strong support unit. i think i have more of a sense of humor about some of my daughter's quirks than most parents would. i don't usually post i'm more of a lurker, but you all seem very nice and informative

[AutMom]

Welcome to the group! I'm glad you are posting!

[Maresa]

Hi again Tonya,

Although I have never been diagnosed, I sometimes feel that I am also somewhere on the autism spectrum, maybe an Aspie. Looking back, I remember all kinds of weird sensory issues and ritualistic habits. The smell of bannanas and baby magic would make me gag ever since I was a very small toddler, I couldn't stand being tickled or even lightly touched (it was painful, like I was being tortured) I also liked to put inedible things in my mouth, for example in the winter my mom would always get upset with me because I liked to suck on my knit mittens (I liked the cold sensation from the snow). (embarresing to me now, to be reminded! lol) I was extremely shy as a child, meaning I did not make eye contact and I would not even respond to adults when they talked to me. I never felt like I fit in anywhere, other kids tried to make friends with me and it never was comfortable. I preffered being alone, or playing with one or two close friends whom I was familiar with. Many times on the playground at school I was the poor child who played alone. I think other kids found me strange too. Everything that other kids said to me I took too seriously and was so easily hurt. I worried all the time that people would not like me. I had all kinds of educational problems in elementary school, scoring extremely high in some subjects (English and Science) and extremely low on others (math was always weak) Where they placed me in a special class and labeled me learning disabled. I remember hating that class more than anything, and thinking to myself that I was smarter than any of those educators who put me there!!! I finally managed to get out of the LD program by high school, and thrived after high school. I have always had an excellent memory for things I read, I have always loved reading, have a great comprehension and I eventually became a writer. I love writing more than anything since it gives me an outlet to prove everything I know and express myself. I have learned through my adult years to socialize, and make friends extremely easily now. I think this is partly because I make people feel more comfortable with themselves and they can identify with me on some levels. Socially though, I must admit it is still tough because I have to learn when it is time to stop talking. Sometimes, I find myself interrupting someone elses thought, to interject my own opinions and feelings on something else. I have to remember the world does not revolve around me, and that is really hard!!! lol Making friends is easy, keeping them...well that is something else!!!

Anyway, Im so glad that you formally introduced yourself!!! I look forward to your posts.

Best Regards,
Maresa

[autimom]

glad to hear i'm not the only alien posting, hehe, i am in the habit of telling alot of the people who deal with my daughter about myself just to kindof show them that the prognosis for shauna is good she is mainstreamed and her teacher was shocked when i told her she's a real chip off the old block there is still a stigma that autism means less intelligent, oblivious maybe.