Biggest misconceptions.... - Page 2

[beachcomber]

Nature - Hah, yes I hear you on that "label" frustration. The stigma that goes with an ASD label drives me absolutely bonkers. I am HAPPY my child has this label. It means, for us in this province, that she gets supports and therapies and an IEP and a classroom aide in K, 1 and whatever grades she needs. Without that label we'd be paying out of pocket for all of that and remortgaging our house and so on. Yes, she has a label. I'm glad of it.

SpottedFoxx, it breaks my heart, too. I ache every time I'm told all she needs is a good swat. She doesn't understand the cause and effect component of behavior. Physical punishment would have as much effect as time outs, consequences, removing toys and stuffies, etc. She DOES NOT GET IT. Hitting her isn't going to make her suddenly get it.

[amandanmv]

Originally Posted by Lollybrat

People think DS can't have albinism because he does not have white hair and pink eyes.

(There are many forms of albinism. Some involve a total lack of pigment; others involve greatly reduced pigment. DS does have some pigment. He has light blue eyes, yellow hair, and cannot tan. He does have the visual problems characteristic of albinism, but to a milder degree than most people affected by the disorder.)

I have vitiligo...have areas all over my body where I've lost pigment.

My mom was one of those "Just spank them and be consistent and he'll straighten up..you're just not punishing him enough" people. When we finally got our diagnosis she was convinced that maybe I'm not such a dumb un-disciplining mom after all. I don't know how many times I tried to tell her spanking wouldn't work for him. UGH

My husband made a comment the other night as we were watching a video for service dogs for autism. He said "Well, LJ doesn't look nearly as bad as that kid on that video" (speaking of outward physical appearance). I just laughed. Told him aspergers doesn't have a physical appearance any different than a NT child. It's neurological....geesh!

[muldey]

Ds's ped cardiologist does not believe he has ASD.She thinks he's NT because he talks and interacts with her.She never sees his behaviors or the way he struggles in social situations or his sensory issues.She doesn't understand why he's not into sports.She wants him to play in something(he's overweight which is not good for his heart of course,we're working on it with diet and exercise),and he just isn't interested.She sees him twice a year for maybe 10 minutes each time.Of course he's on his best behavior,he loves the echo machine,and he knows when he's done he gets to use the gumball machine on the desk!