Replies to '12/19 Parents’ Ultimate Test: Dealing with Autism'

Quote From: princess1

I have a 40 year old brother who is autistic.  The dissappointments and embarrassments are something I lived daily growing up.  It is very emotionally draining to have any special needs child, but I think autistic children are even more of a drain because a lot of times their disability is not as outward evident, especially if, like my brother, they are high functioning.  He has some amazing skills, such as at age 3 he could spell any word in the dictionary; and if you give him any date in the last 500 years he can tell you what day of the week it fell on.  While parents of autistic children need extra support there is a forgotten group; the siblings.  I know my parents did the best they could with the situation they had, but my word of advice to parents who have autistic or any special needs children is please don't forget your other children.  They may not need the level of attention as your special needs child, but that does not mean they don't need you.  Even if it is just 5 minutes a day, make sure you put aside that time for the non special needs childern, time that is just for them.  It will help with resentment issues, and bring you closer as a family, which is good for everyone involved.  God bless the parents and siblings of all special needs childrens.