I would really apreciate some advice, where we currently live, my children have not come into contact with any children or adults who have any forms of disability.
However, we are moving soon and have been told one of our neighbours has an autistic child.
How do i explain this to my own children who are 8 and 11 yrs old. I want them to show the parents of this child that we are not ignorant as i perhaps assume some people are.
2006-09-21 04:26:56 · 12 answers · asked by sharon44893 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
you could probably ask the parents of the child how they handle it and what they suggest. Meet them first w/o your children. Then the parents will suggest what is a best way for their child to meet yours. Autistic children are actually very smart, but they do have schedules and respond to different things.
2006-09-21 04:29:54 · answer #1 · answered by Sharp Marble 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At 8 and 11 your children should at the very least understand that this is something the child has no control over and isn't his fault. They should be told that it is never acceptable to taunt or make fun of a person with a disability or handicap. My nephew is autistic, and that, I think is the worst when children and/or adults tease and make fun, because not only do the parents of the child get offended but the child knows he or she is being made fun of. Their brains are totally processing the information. As for how to interact with the child, I would definitely talk to the parents first, explain what you want to accomplish, and just be honest. Trust me, the parents will be more than open to your inquirey and willing to help you understand and your children understand. Autism, they say, affects 1 out of every 161 births now and is rising. That's a huge number of children so I say we'd all better make an effort to understand the condition. Chances are, if not your children, your grandchildren will be affected....and that's just really SCAREY. Thanks from a family who's living it. Prayers that you will never have to!
2006-09-21 11:47:15 · answer #2 · answered by N0_white_flag 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think children can be unintentionally cruel to anyone who is slightly different to them. Also, there are different degrees of autism which further complicates things.
I think perhaps you can do a bit of research on autism so that you hve a rough idea of what to expect and then speak to the parents when you get there and explain that you want all the children to get on and what is the best way this can be achieved.
Only then should you sit down with your children and explain to them HOW and why the next door kid is different and that although he is different, he is still a person whose feelings can be easily hurt (like any other child) and they should perhaps be a llittle more tolerant and patient with him.
I am sure with the right directions from you they will get on famously without any problems.
Good luck with the move and with the kids!
2006-09-21 11:35:25 · answer #3 · answered by Fluffy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just tell them that 'Billy' has an illness that they can not catch. It makes it harder for him to be a part of things going on around him. Some things that we are just annoyed by like loud noises or scratchy new clothes might really hurt him. So when he ignores them he is not being rude. He just can't help it. It really depends on how sever his case is whether or not your kids will be interacting much with him. The best way to show the parents that you are not ignorant is to talk to them. "I want Susie and Jimmy to understand that Billy has some special needs so that they can be his friends. What should they do or avoid doing in order to make Billy feel comfortable?" They won't feel you are ignorant for not knowing what to do, they would only see you as ignorant if you don't try. If you let your kid treat him as 'weird' or less of a human being just because he is different. My two gifted kids have a friend who is mildly retarded. He is a friends son. They have a great time together because they understand some things are different for him. I told them his brain just works differently than theirs and sometimes he needs a little help. Kids can be cruel, but if you help them understand they can be wonderful too.
2006-09-21 11:39:48 · answer #4 · answered by mrslititia 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The severity of autism could range anywhere from very mild to very severe. I would tell your children a little about autism and to just explain to them that this child may have some difficulties interacting and not to take offense, but also to give the child a little bit more time. If you become friends with the parents, ask what they think your children should know. Autism can be very easy to handle, but it can also be very difficult.
2006-09-21 11:37:15 · answer #5 · answered by betterlife_travel 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is good that you are sensitive enough to educate yourself and your children about people that are different from them. Autism affects children in different ways and is displayed differently also.
A friend has an autistic daughter and I just love her. She has quirkly little habits, like she will go up to anybody and pick their hands up and smell them, and she will smell things. They aren't 'dumb' and she goes to school. She can't focus for too long, and she is often in her own little happy world.
One of my daughters had an autistic girl in her 5th grade class. She volunteered to sit by her because no one else would. They didn't become friends, because an autistic child isn't real capable of developing relationships, but she 'tolerated' :) my daughter well. She would scream loud when she was stressed and my daughter learned to recognize when she was getting upset and would cover her ears!
Some web sites that might help are listed below.
2006-09-21 11:39:22 · answer #6 · answered by ewema 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't call it as a disability. Say everyone is different and insist they treat the child normally as they would any other human, and perhaps to be more lenient to their mistakes and such. They'll eventually begin to understand on their own the difference between the child and other people, but they'll learn to have it from a sense that they're people too, and to treat them normally, not with any awkward extra friendliness, or any other form of discomforting behavior to the one's disabled.
2006-09-21 11:36:06 · answer #7 · answered by Answerer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Autistic people, in this case children, does not interac to much with others, they can be very intelligent, but they lack being social. You can tell your children that there are other ways of personalities some people are social some others are not. I will also advice you to read more about this problem, internet has endless info.
2006-09-21 11:33:06 · answer #8 · answered by Nif 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is very important for children to come into contact with children with disabilities as soon as possible. There is nothing to fear. In my own childhood 1940s I met children who were disabled, many as a result of war injuries but also born that way. Also I came into direct contact with deaf kids and a blind man I knew in my village. Result - we're all equal in the eyes of God and we are his children.
2006-09-23 12:01:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would explain to your children about this child maybe buy abook or get leaflets your kids are old enough to understand they may even befriend this child and why not
2006-09-21 11:32:51 · answer #10 · answered by liz r 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋