Full offence but parents of autistic/ND kids need to stop literally insulting them to their faces
Context:
My 5 year old autistic brother went on a 3 day trip with my parents which was likely a stressful experience for him even tho he had a lot of fun!
When he arrived home he ran inside, gave me a hug for a few minutes, sat down to play with some number blocks (his current special interest) this was really great bc he was using a good coping strategy to de-stress rather than having a meltdown
I sat down beside him quietly and was talking to him about the blocks and he was enthusiastically engaging in conversation with me when my dad decided to comment on how “you won’t get any meaningful conversation out of him”
And it really makes me angry that this type of attitude is so common in parents of autistic kids
Growing up with your identity constantly under fire leaves you with very low self esteem so please think about what you say in front of your kids
It’s also important not to underestimate what they might pick up/hear, even when they’re not literally in front of you.
A family friend has an autistic son and when she brings him to parties, I sometimes talk to him about his special interests.
It’s not uncommon when I go to get a drink to be told, under their breath, that I don’t have to sit with him if I don’t want to.
Now, this is not the worst thing that could be said, and they are 100% just worried that I think that because he’s chatting enthusiastically, that he also wouldn’t be happy sitting on his own with his Switch.
But, idk, I think maybe talking in furtive tones and glancing his way every time someone who was talking to him goes to get a drink is maybe something a kid might pick up on.
I know I was overly sensitive to shit like that when I was young.
Kids are willing to talk if you're willing to really listen.