I'm a girl who grew up never believing in the knight in shining armor. Yeah I wished there was one, dreamed of one perhaps, but never really believed in one. I am really very practical when it comes down to it, and I'm realistic. I'm honest, usually with myself too. So maybe I was a little more hopeful yesterday when I met with an attorney and a special education advocate then I should have been. Maybe deep down I did think, or hope, or feel, like they would be able to ride in and save the day. Maybe I was just hoping for a glimpse of something that I could cling to, because this journey of ours has sucked. It sucks for my kid, it sucks for our family, it sucks for me.
My daughter was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum Disorder when she was 14. 14!!!! She is obviously very high functioning. She was diagnosed with ADHD with hyperactivity in 2012 at the age of 8. Due to her 'difficult case' we have always worked with a pediatric neurologist. I've always questioned if that was the right diagnosis. Was there more? Something wasn't right. What did I know? I'm just a mom! I don't have a medical degree. I'm not educated (officially) in this stuff. What are you supposed to do when all the professionals tell you she is fine? Well, we lived life as if it was trial by fire. There is no guidebook. No one gave me any clear guidance on what to do or how to do it. Most treated me like I was some over the top psycho helicopter parent. I'm blamed for her behavior. I'm treated as if I am the worst parent on the planet, and that everything would be fine with my kid if I had better skills.
Well guess what folks, it don't work that way! She looks normal. For the most part, she acts normal. When she is really worried about a social setting, she is good enough to pretend she is normal. She is so good in fact, that she could hide most of her stuff, so much so that no one believes she is autistic! Frustrating! Until puberty hit. Ahhh, puberty! It changes everything.
Here is the thing, apparently girls are pretty good at hiding their autism. I don't think Izzy even know's she does it. It's a survival skill she has had since the day she was born. I am learning a lot about autism in girls. It is different. It's unique. Not that autism and all its quirks are hard enough as it it, but add in the female factor and you got a double whammy.
I am learning a lot right now. Especially in regards to how autism is different for girls. And I am fighting for my kid because she had shut down completely a few months ago (total sensory overload). I am fighting to get her the appropriate and necessary education concessions in her IEP, fighting for appropriate therapies, fighting for life skills, fighting for it all.
This is us. This is our ASD Family! This is our journey.
My daughter was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum Disorder when she was 14. 14!!!! She is obviously very high functioning. She was diagnosed with ADHD with hyperactivity in 2012 at the age of 8. Due to her 'difficult case' we have always worked with a pediatric neurologist. I've always questioned if that was the right diagnosis. Was there more? Something wasn't right. What did I know? I'm just a mom! I don't have a medical degree. I'm not educated (officially) in this stuff. What are you supposed to do when all the professionals tell you she is fine? Well, we lived life as if it was trial by fire. There is no guidebook. No one gave me any clear guidance on what to do or how to do it. Most treated me like I was some over the top psycho helicopter parent. I'm blamed for her behavior. I'm treated as if I am the worst parent on the planet, and that everything would be fine with my kid if I had better skills.
Well guess what folks, it don't work that way! She looks normal. For the most part, she acts normal. When she is really worried about a social setting, she is good enough to pretend she is normal. She is so good in fact, that she could hide most of her stuff, so much so that no one believes she is autistic! Frustrating! Until puberty hit. Ahhh, puberty! It changes everything.
Here is the thing, apparently girls are pretty good at hiding their autism. I don't think Izzy even know's she does it. It's a survival skill she has had since the day she was born. I am learning a lot about autism in girls. It is different. It's unique. Not that autism and all its quirks are hard enough as it it, but add in the female factor and you got a double whammy.
I am learning a lot right now. Especially in regards to how autism is different for girls. And I am fighting for my kid because she had shut down completely a few months ago (total sensory overload). I am fighting to get her the appropriate and necessary education concessions in her IEP, fighting for appropriate therapies, fighting for life skills, fighting for it all.
This is us. This is our ASD Family! This is our journey.
Comments
Post a Comment