Something that was actually said to me
Me: *discussing PDD-NOS with my mother before the visit that determined that her oldest son has autism, as that was something that was being considered prior to*
Someone overhearing us who had their child there for an appointment as well: Why don’t you just let them diagnose him as autistic? You’ll get more benefits from the government if you do, and it’s practically the same anyways…
Me: *chooses not to dignify that with a response*
The tone that the woman took when she said “let them diagnose him as autistic” suggested that she wanted me to fudge the information that I gave to the child psychologist to get his diagnosis… bumped over to autism.
It saddens me that people do this.
Submitted by: isomer
Mod note: While not something a PARENT has said, it's just as bad, if not worse, for teachers and other authority figures to disregard the handicaps and disabilities of their students and those under them, and is often illegal. If this happens to you, find out how to report it, and do so if you're able.)
Me: "I don't raise my hand in class because every time I have spoken since I started college, everyone has laughed at me. If you call on me, I will freeze even if I know the answer because I have problems with social anxiety due to being bullied all throughout grade school, too."
Professor: "You still have to participate in class or you get an F for participation."
child's therapist: your child has a mental disorder
parent: i'm supportive, understanding, and loving. i will do all i can to help my child.
child: i can't do this because my disorder makes it very hard.
parent: you're lazy
parent: you're immature
parent: get over it it's not that big of a deal
parent: grow up
parent: don't tell anyone about your disorder you should be ashamed of it
child: i'm insulted and i think your comments are abusive
parent: i've done nothing but support you with this!!!!
It saddens me that they had to put this sign up at my kids’ therapy office
What the sign basically said:
Watch your children.
Please talk in a respectful manner that promotes help and learning.
What the sign really said:
Parent your children.
Respect your children’s special needs.
Use common sense.
Yes, they actually had to put up a giant two-sided sign at the entrance to the facility telling parents these things.
I’m sad now.
I started university a few months ago; some people there know I have Asperger's and some don't. So far, nobody's mentioned my tiptoeing AT ALL, nobody's laughed if I didn't understand their sarcasm, and nobody's pressured me into nightclubs and/or alcohol. I tend to scream involuntarily at sudden loud noises; this must seem odd, but nobody's told me NOT to do it. All this seemed unusual to me. It's made me realise that I shouldn't have to put up with certain put-downs by my loved ones at home.
AnonymousJust some things I can think of off the top of my head… (Not necessarily limited to just my parents)
“Don’t scream/jump like that!” - It’s not like I actively chose to scream/jump like that.
“FEET!” - Every ten minutes whenever we’re out and about (I tiptoe). Worse still, “Stop that, it’s embarassing”. No, what’s embarassing is being shouted at like that when I’m a grown woman. Passers-by don’t normally seem to notice the tiptoeing, and if they do, it’s not like I’ll ever see them again.
Generally talking about me or answering for me when I’m actually in the room.
Automatically assuming I know everything about new technical stuff (e.g. Windows 8) then getting mad at me when I don’t (because IT’S NEW TO ME TOO).
Certain people have implied in the past that my boyfriend and I can’t possibly “really” love each other because we’re both autistic.
Being told to calm down whenever I have an opinion (this might also be because I’m female, but I digress :P)
If someone doesn’t understand a board game (usually because they’ve had a few drinks), it’s my fault, even if everyone else gets it, because I’m autistic so I must be the pedantic one. Recent example: “This probably isn’t the right game… for you…” The implication being that I “ruined” it.
Asking a question and being given the response “You know, I’d love to have your brain”. Thanks, but a proper answer would be nice.
“If you don’t cry at [film/book/event/whatever], you don’t have a heart.”
Earlier this year, a tabloid published an (awful) article about my hometown. One of the people interviewed has ADHD; the writer said “I’m not sure that ADHD exists… it is basically what we used to call “being a bit of a twat”“. Where do I even begin?!
An otherwise intelligent Facebook conversation I saw about how easy it is to get a gun in America (following the Sandy Hook shooting) contained several comments along the lines of “If an autistic guy can do it, then it must be easy”, clearly implying that all autistic people are stupid.
Being made to remove my watch and bracelet because I was rolling one of the beads on the bracelet. Then being told off for even touching anything else in the room.
Person: "Wow that kid didn't respond properly to something. They must be Autistic."
Person: "You don't talk enough, are you Autistic?"
Person: "I heard the guy who killed those people is Autistic."
Person: "That kid is yelling. I wonder if he's an aspie."
Person: "Autistic people are either geniuses or stupid, right?"
Person:
Me:
Person:
Me:
Person:
Person: "You look like you want to punch me....are you an aspie?"
*SPLAT* You just got snowballed! So, WELCOME TO THE SNOWBALL FIGHT OF 2012! Okay, here's how it works. You say three to five random facts about yourself, then you go Anonymous and snowball your five favorite blogs. If you get snowballed again then you CANNOT snowball any blogs you snowballed before, except if you're out of blogs to snowball. Have fun!
AnonymousWOW WE’RE IN SOMEONE’S TOP 5 FAVORITE BLOGS!!!
- I went to Catholic school for middle school.
- I used to work in a nature sanctuary and feed birds of prey.
- Zebras are my favorite animal.
- I used to own a horse.
- I love snakes.
-Danny
