[Dylanzmama]

Hey there, I've got a 4 year old with autism...
Just wondering what advice you'd give parents...
Thanks,
Heidi

[-jimi-]

At 4 I was still too young to be much different from other kids, but as time went on it became more obvious.

What I wish my parents had done, telling me I am fine the way I am, not trying to make me act all normal so they would pass as having a normal child, wish they had not seen my strengths as something abnormal you have to kill, wish they simply had been brave and treated me better than a stranger, but strangers were more important to them. Also I wish they had not constantly told me what I "really" felt and thought. I haven't yet healed from that, sometimes i dissociate because I don't know if it is my real feeling or not.

[Dylanzmama]

Thanks so much for your extremely helpful response. Both my husband and I wish you lots of luck

[Cellerest]

My parents helped me growing up by keeping things stable and predictable and not making me feel different. I was able to cope with the unpredictability of the world because I had a core that never changed.

They also expected me to do well and I did. They believed I could do anything and that is why I am a success.