These days, autism is something most people have heard about. That wasn’t the case in my generation, and even less so in my parent’s generation. Back when they we’re growing up people were labeled in ways that today are considered politically incorrect, and for good reason. Today, care for adults with autism is still lacking, but we’re inching closer to seeing people, and not just their diagnosis.
Being a grandparent is described as the best of both worlds. You get to keep the little kids and spoil them rotten, and then give them back for all the unfun responsible stuff. But when your grandchild is autistic, it makes it hard to know what to do for them. There are a lot of rules! It’s difficult to spoil someone rotten when you must follow rules!!
My parents come from an era that when someone was different than the majority, they were considered eccentric. If you asked about them you’d be told ‘they march to a different drummer’, or ‘they’re just quirky’. No big deal. It’s a different story when you must work around the quirky to get a ten-year-old to brush their teeth, order food at a restaurant, or put on a pair of socks with seams. Seams are the enemy!
They say it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks. Ignore that I just called my parents old and compared them to a dog’s trickery…instead do what they did. Let go of outdated viewpoints. Work to understand the needs of someone with autism. Learn who they are and what they aspire to become. See the person, not their diagnosis.
P.S. I love you Mom and Pappy. Sorry for calling you old.
Listen to the Podcast: JHA032: Grandparents’ Perspective | http://www.sonyaking.com/jha032-grandparents-perspective
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