| If we are being honest, we have to admit that the | | | | know how to behave around them, how to make |
| behavior of our child with autism, in public, is not always | | | | contact with them. |
| perfect, or is difficult to understand for other people. | | | | It is a sad fact that for a lot of people this will cause |
| Especially the young children often show difficult | | | | them to stay away from the person with autism. I |
| behavior, or even have tantrums. Sometimes more in | | | | personally have experienced this with one pair of |
| public then at home. | | | | grandparents, which really did hurt my son. Even my |
| You might often get comments, even from total | | | | suggestions about sending him at least a birthday card |
| strangers, about your parenting or about your child, and | | | | never rang through. |
| all kinds of 'well meant' advice. | | | | My advice is: be very grateful and happy about |
| I remember when my autistic son was quite young | | | | everybody who is keeping in (close) contact with your |
| and sometimes not behaving 'normal' outside, a | | | | family. Learn to ignore, and not to worry about, |
| neighbor (a mother of three children who were always | | | | negative reactions or comments. |
| living outside in the streets) told me, that if she would | | | | The best thing for us as parents to do is: to keep on |
| have this child for a week he would be cured. | | | | making autism better known and understood by 'the |
| Knowing that my son had severe autism and was | | | | world'. |
| facing a difficult future, and knowing that there is no | | | | Remember that things will get better as your child is |
| cure for autism, the words of this woman really hurt. | | | | growing up; its behavior will get better and people will |
| And that is just one example. | | | | see that this is not just a 'spoilt brat', but a person with |
| Experiencing that all kinds of people, strangers and | | | | a (serious) handicap. |
| family, felt free to comment out loud, even if they | | | | Oh, and do not forget: you as a mother (parent) will |
| knew very well that my son had autism, taught me to | | | | grow stronger all the time to. By the time your child is |
| become deaf to these comments, not letting them add | | | | becoming an adult, you will have fought many a battle |
| to my own feelings of guilt and being inadequate. | | | | for your child and have become quite assertive. |
| It helps to understand that most people do not know | | | | Please, be strong and be nice to yourself, do not |
| much about autism and/or can not understand it. Many | | | | forget to pad yourself on the shoulder regularly. |
| people will feel awkward around a person with autism, | | | | Love your child and do not pay attention to the |
| especially a child that does not talk at all. They do not | | | | negative things from 'the outside' you might encounter. |