My daughter has aspergers. My dad's side was not suprised bec it runs on my dad's side. My mom's side is in denial. When I go to explain aspergers to them. I say well J does this, they say that is normal and I say only talking about cetain subjects is not normal. Then I forget the 200 other thing she does and go blank on the phone. It is hard to explain to someone who is in denial. How did you all explain it to your family. I'm not the most expressive person.
Education. I bought my family members a book called 10 things a child with autism wishes you knew. It is written through the eyes of the child. I loved it. Short and understandable. It helped several people in our family. Unfortunately, my dad and grandparents think that one day she'll "catch up". Guess there will always be those that just can't ubderstand.
Amberwaves
When my grandson was dx with ASD / SID , it was hard to explain this to the other members of the family. What my dd and I found out was... they will only hear what they are ready to hear, give them time, let it sink in, then TEACH them when they ask questions. and they will come to ask when they can handle the answers
I hope this helps, Good luck to you and yours
Mona, Grandma to Devin 3 yrs old ASD / SID
I know how you feel. Fortunately they are getting alittle more supportive (this is even including my husband!) Theres nothing you really can do but educate them when theyr willing to listen other wise they wont hear a thing!I don't know if this is open to non-members. But go to the OASIS website (google OASIS and Asperger Syndrome) and they have on there a letter to grandparents. It is VERY good and I highly recommend it!
That's an awesome website, by the way and they have a good message board as well. The authors, Barb Kirby and Patty Romanowski go on the board. Barb actually moderates the board and does usually respond to questions asked directly of her (and some that aren't directly asked to her as well!). My son doesn't have an AS diagnosis, but that is what we suspected at the time I joined it and Barb has no problem with me staying on since my son is diagnosed with PDD-NOS, leaning toward HFA. He has lots of similar issues to kids with AS.
Hope this helps!
I dont think anyone in my imediate family was ever in denial, they were very supportive. I do however have a sister-in-law that just doesnt get it. She is a wonderful person but sometimes she looks at my kids as if to say, "I cant believe they behave that way," maybe I just read that into her, but it doesnt bother me because until you have walked in our shoes noone will fully understand. Dont worry about trying to explain it, it is what it is.
Kim
Amberwaves