What would you do? | Autism PDD
I find it hard to believe they are clueless about their daughter's symptoms if they are educated about autism at all. Are they informed about autism? I know alot of us are constantly seeking more information about ASD but not all parents choose to take the time to learn more about it. Is it possible the parents haven't taken the time to understand their daughter's symptoms could be autistic? Perhaps her brother has completely different symptoms.
I agree with Fred that one can't exclude the possibility of social anxiety disorder. One psychologist friend I have said her child exhibited behavior similar to this and had her real worried it might be autism. Later she was dx with social anxiety disorder.
I wouldn't mention anything at all to her. I know that your intentions are very good. I know that it hurts to know a child may suffer in life needlessly because of a parent's denial. But unless one has a very close relatonship with a parent, talking about something as painful as their child having autism is something I think very few parents can withstand.
Allegra.
The best way to talk to the mom would be to try and get to know her better and then let her gently know your observations and see if she is in denial or really interested in your opinion. She already has a child with autism and knows your a mom that is educated in autism as well so she shouldnt be upset...just let her know that you noticed some red flags and wanted to let her know.
Hopefully she will be open to what you say to her...I know that your are SUPER sweet and no way it will come across to her other than a caring mom that is concerned for another's child:)
Best of luck and hope you find the right words for her:) She will thank you one day:)
Hi guys, I have a little problem. In one of Sharlets classes there is a littleboy with autism. His big sister comes along too usually, her parents have
told me she is a "tag along" and that she is NT. Now my problem is that
to me she appears to be very obviously autistic
I have been around her several times now and the signs are al there to
me. She is going on 6 years old, I have seen very little eye contact, she
plays ONLY alone in the room, not even with the other NT older girl sibs
who are there. I have talked to her before and had no answer at all. I
have complimented her and she seems oblivious to me. when it's time to
go, her parents call out to her time and again and even offer bribes, but
she does not answer or come, so the of course go and physically touch
and prompt her to leave. She seems soo far behind her same age peers
to me.
What should I do?? I mean it's such a strange situation to be in because
their younger son has a dx so you would think they'd know...wouldn't
you??? To be completely truthful, she seems far more affected than her
younger brother, he has come over to Sharlet when she's been crying and
asked "what's wrong"!!!
Sheesh, I don't know what to do
is) - I'm sure they have been approached and should know the symptoms
themselves.
There is a boy in my dd's class who is four and textbook classic autism. I
talked to the parents and they said a doc told them to get him evaluated
and I know our teacher has talked to them too. They do all the right
things as far as engaging him but they have not have him evaluated. I
keep going back and forth too on what I should say to someone who
clearly knows but does not want/can't bear to face it?Allegra:
You mentioned that this child is in one of Sharlet's classes. Could you mention your concerns to the instuctor or staff of the school and let them utilize their expertise to approach the parents? I think that you are a cool parent for noticing this child's symptoms, and the professional people will respect your opinion since you are the parent of a child with autism. I would mention it to the instructor, as well. We all know how difficult it
is to approach parents aout thier kids...
It's a gentler, more impartial place to start. Tell the instructor your
concerns, and impress them with how awkward it is to approach the
parents. It is impossible to know whether this girl has been evaluated or
even Dx'd from the context you see her in. Expressing your concern to
someone who may be able to verify your observations might be a good
place to start.
Good Luck!
One of my best friend's child has some "interesting" delays, and I have
tried, in vain, to appraoch the topic gently with her. My brother's child
has an obvious speech delay at 22 months, and I have talked to my SIL
about it, driven by my knowledge about EI, but it is extremely difficult to
talk about with a parent. I don't even know how to approach a stranger
about it. Trust your gut. Figure out the best way to help the child..and
remember, no matter what the outcome, you had only the best of
intentions.Their little boy only recently started EI, you would be surprised how many
parents I have met with a newish dx who don't seem to know much at all
about autism. I don't think everyone jumps into learning about it like I did.
Now with this little girl, I have witnessed NO verbal communication and I
have spent time with her maybe 4 times for 2 hours at a time. The father
prompts her to say thank you etc, but I have never heard her comply with
his prompts. As I said, I have seen zero interaction with her peers.
I am very confused as I and some of the other parents actually assumed that
she was autistic and there for intervention. When the father said she was
"NT" and there as a "tag along" we were speechless. It seemed so obvious to
us. I think I will mention it to their little boys teachers and see what she
thinks about it....hmm, it's not an easy position to be in really.Maybe they already know and don't want to talk about it with others. Maybe for some reason they want to keep it private. I am surprised they allow a tag along into the class. I would leave this alone. I think the Teacher would see a problem and address it, maybe the Teacher already has.
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