I wish I had known why I was so different. As a mother to children with autism I see a I totally different side of life to what you see and view. I’m happy that we have early intervention. I tried to get my children help, but the neurologists, child psychiatrist, and pediatricians just called me that weird lady. At the time I didn’t know what it was called. I did know I didn’t want my children growing up like me. Until I took my children to a child developmental specialist, we didn’t have an answer. You know what she said? “Mrs. Smith, you know what your children have. They have what you have. They are austistic.” I didn’t even have a name for sure before that. You know what I did? I cried. I knew how hard it would be. I knew how hard. It was for me. Rarely, do you see someone with ASD that is exactly like the next person beside you. How would you like to deal with suicidal kids? Or the bullying that goes on in the schools or in church? From the perfect “Mormon kids” or Catholic or whatever. Or the potential for sexual abuse? It was horrible. It has taken my children years of therapy to understand their place in society. To understand who they are and what they can become. (I have told them they can become anything). Neither of my children drive. Others do. Neither tolerates touch although they want it. They struggle with this society. Sure lots of people have lots of problems.
Autism has blessed my life. I didn’t understand the physical, sexual or emotional abuse I suffered as a child or the suicidal thoughts I had until I was in my 30’s. I don’t see, feel, or view life like the average person and am constantly doing a “reality check” to make sure I am seeing life as it is, not just my perception of it. I didn’t listen when I didn’t have the means to go to college, but I had a dream. I wasn’t college material, but I managed to graduate. Autism has blessed my life. I have a friend who says if I didn’t have bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all. Autism has taught me to be thankful for bad luck. Just my two cents on a very long subject.