My youngest daughter is on the Autistic Spectrum. Yep. She's been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome with Autistic Tendencies. So what? She's "different"... And? Why is this a problem? -Everyone- is "different"!
So she doesn't like to have her personal space invaded. She still gives me hugs and kisses... it's just that she only gives them when -she- wants to.
So she doesn't like new people. You mean that I don't have to worry about her going up to strangers like my older daughters did? How awesome is -that-??
So she doesn't play with other kids very often. shrugs -I- never liked kids my age either! It just means that she'll do better with self-involved activities like reading.
She lines up her toys and freaks out if things in her room are changed around. Oh WOW! Her room will stay clean! That's flabergasting! NONE of my other kids do that!
She uses rhythmic motions and repetitive sounds to soothe herself. Wait... you mean that she -can- self-soothe? Whoa! I didn't have to get up at 3am to get her back to sleep because she did it herself! How cool!
Yes. My daughter is different. But I think that her differences make her special.
So -why- am I having to deal with other parents of "normal" kids who think my daughter is "weird" and who make hurtful comments to her when she runs away from their kids and hides in a corner of the room sucking her thumb and mumbling songs to herself. Don't they realize that she's not stupid and -can- understand them????? What makes it "ok" to tell their kids in such a snide tone, while glaring at me for -daring- to bring her to a play group, that she's got some "Serious Issues"?
My daughter has been known to give a toy (not -her- toy, but other toys) to another kid who has had a toy taken by a bigger kid. She is gentle with animals. She is gentle with babies (when the mother gives permission and she then gives soft kisses on baby's head). She's sweet... but simply gets overwhelmed more easily than other kids.
So -why- the hurtful comments? Why assume that I'm a bad/neglectful parent who "caused" this to happen to her?
frustrated SERIOUSLY??? LOOK IT UP!!! sighs
She's my special little girl and I love her for what she -can- do. I don't get upset at her for what she -can't- do...
And, on that note... Any other Aspie kids in the Lacey/Oly area for "Play (next to, not with) Groups"?