I messed up

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
I messed up
3
Wed, 04-05-2006 - 5:56pm

boy do I feel like crap. The news paper article came out today with Kyle's picture along with the other kids in the support group. We'd talked to Kyle about it and that kids would ask him about it. But I'd kind of forgotten about it coming out today with the lead scare. So he brings home the paper like every wednesday and I see it. I asked him if anyone asked him about it. He said yes, they asked why his picture was in the paper and what was autism. He said its a mental illness. OMG I don't know where he got that! It certainly wasn't from anyone in this household. I said no its not a mental illness its a neuro-biological disorder. He said "that's the same thing". I feel like such a SH*! for not writing him a script of what to say or something. What can I have him say to classmates that they'll comprehend. I can say neuro-biological disorder to Kyle and he understands what that means. (he was talking genetics to his sister this morning, lol) But I doubt his classmates would understand.

Samantha, kicking herself.

OK I found this web site. I think I'll show it to Kyle and ask his teacher if he can share it with the class if he wants to. what do you think? http://www dot cyh dot com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=282&id=2305




Edited 4/5/2006 6:16 pm ET by mamahh
Samantha
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: mamahh
Wed, 04-05-2006 - 6:23pm

neuro-biological is probably just too big a word for a kid.

Autism is such a confusing thing it is hard for adults to understand, lol. So putting it as concrete as possible may help. How about it is just a difference. His brain works differently than other kids. Some ways it works better (his gift areas) and some things he needs help with. Kids with autism usually need help with...... Some examples may be learning how to play and communicate with others, That they hear more/see more than other kids and it can be overwhelming, they have a hard time self regulating and may become upset easier than others and have to work hard not to get too hyper or too angry.

However it affects him in real concrete terms and make sure to highlight the gifts.

If you want to go neuro-biological then I would explain to him that his body has a harder time processing food and chemicals than other kids and it affects him by ...and then list how it affects him specifically.

If they want to know more about autism, you can have him tell them that there are lots of different kinds and levels of autism. Some kids with autism don't talk and have a really hard time understanding others and may do odd things that look weird to others because they see or hear more than other people and it is overwhelming.

Sorry about that. Don't feel badly. We all do things like this. You can only forsee and prepare so much for situations.

Renee

Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
In reply to: mamahh
Wed, 04-05-2006 - 7:05pm

I just talked to Kyle about it. I feel worse now. He says he didn't understand it would be the paper that went to school (even though we talked about his picture being in the paper and his classmates asking questions). I tried practicing some short scripts with him. He said its too hard and he can't. He doesn't want to try to explain to the class or to anyone one-on-one. He did say he could tell them to ask his teacher. So I'm going to give her some information for her to share if someone asks her.

I want to crawl in a hole now and cry.
Samantha

Samantha
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-26-2005
In reply to: mamahh
Wed, 04-05-2006 - 9:33pm
Oh Samantha,
((HUGS))
Don't feel so bad. You did a good thing bringing awareness of Autism to people Kyle will have a lot of contact with. Right now it may seem like a mess but I bet it will get the kids in his class asking questions about Autism and hopefully in turn will give them a better understanding of Kyle. I think Kyle has a good idea having his teacher explain it. Hugs to the little guy!
Teresa