I am a 41 year old mother of two boys. My oldest is 8 and has aspergers, this is a challenge. He is pretty normal, but has a lot of the autistic challenges like going to new places, texture issues, etc. He is in third grade and is struggling with the studies.
My other son is 6 and is very sweet and loving. I worry that he is more of a momma's boy and not as agressive as other boys. I don't know if I need to push him to be more assertive. I also have noticed small signs of depression-I don't know if I passed that on, I struggle with depression and anxiety. He will be sad for no reason, and I will hold him a bit and then it will go away. My husband is a good man, but he does yell first and ask questions later, my youngest is afraid of him and runs to me for comfort.
Any way that's me.
Jenn

Hi Jen..

Thanks for saying hi. Sounds like you have your hands full.. have you started the program?

Hi Jenn, I'm 40+ father of two young daughters. One seems to be fairly well adjusted, but I have had to send daughter #2 to counselors about her fears and anxiety. Storms, her looks, change. She is very sensitive. Kids can be a handful just in normal situations. The trick is to get them to recognize when they have successfully shut their anxiety off. Our society today moves so fast that we are not allowed to take time out. But we must. For me, I don't think I was taught how to do this. I would have temper flairs as a father, and my wife would have to remind me that showing your temper continuously can really affect a growing mind. Look for some suttle things you can do, rid your family of caffeine, sugar, bad carbs. It sounds silly , but little adjustments here and there can help a persons outlook. You will find that to be a common theme here. Make sure you get feed back from this location. Don't isolate your family and find good people to reach out to. This is a good place to start...the fact that you care is great for your family. Keep your head up. Make time to interact, we can all relate and support you.

Hi Jenn,
I have an Aspergers son too. He's in 4th grade, mainstreamed in the public school, and can be pretty normal at times but displays the autistic tendencies as well. My husband also yells first. I guess it's a man thing. Nice to meet you.

Heyy everyone just wanted to let you all know that there is a show coming up next week wed. on Dr. Phil called the ultimate Parent test Dealing with Autism. I love Dr. Phil and he always has wonderful shows, I plan to watch it because I have a cousin who is Autistic. Maybe this show could give you some insight Jenn. TC Karen

Being a parent is a challenge...being the parent of a special child is a bigger challenge...I hope you all have many people in your lives that you can call upon for support and encouragement.

Dad's (and sometimes mom's) get in the habit of yelling...it is not good. We all have been frustrated with parenting and just Living in general...at times we have all chosen to react in ways that are not healthy...maybe because we are scared, sad, tired... I would wait for a quiet time and discuss this-maybe some parenting classes?

Let's watch Dr. Phil and be sure to tape it so spouses can watch it.

We are all doing the best we can-but all of us can do better if we slow down and think things through. My best to all, Carolyn

I just finished watching that Dr. Phil show. First I have to say I have never found Dr. Phil to be a decent source of information. I feel he's for entertainment only. He has to have the hype to get the viewers to get the $$. His representation of autistic people, especially the child featured on the show, was not typical by any means. My son is nothing like that and I don't know any autistic kids who are. My son also watched the first half (I turned off the second half) and he felt the little boy was probably misdiagnosed, meaning he didn't seem autistic at all, but the boy was angry that nobody was helping him in the right way. I wonder?

I'm not surprised at the divorce rate! My husband is away most of the time as well by working 60+ hours a week. And when he is home, he's asleep on the couch. The difference for me is that I don't resent it. You can't exactly trade off material things for time at home and have everything honkey-dorey. It's the programs and the treatments (especially the ones he talked about on the show) that cost the big bucks and none of it is covered by insurance. When you have money like Jenny McCarthy, you get the help you need no problem. Otherwise, you work hard for it!!

One important thing that was said in the beginning of the show by one of the parents (NOT Dr. Phil) was that well meaning family and friends were telling him to discipline the child and yell and punish but these kids don't respond to that at all. So that's something for the dads to keep in mind. Yelling may make the dad feel better but it does nothing for the child.

Good observations Craw!

I myself being a huge fan of Dr. Phil was kinda disapointed in the show today as well. Point made Craw as far as the show today. But I would have to disagree as far as him being a decent source of information. Yes he's on TV and makes the $$$ but compared to Jerry Springer lol I think he gets my vote lol. I do truly admire the strength and courage that parents of these beautiful children have to have to make it through each day, and I do agree that yelling and hitting is not the way to redirect children with autisim in a positive direction. TC Karen