Who here has had their families disrupted by an autistic child?

Question

My daughter is almost 9 and we love her very much, but she has become almost too much for the family to handle. She started her 4th different medication this morning, we have tried Ritalin, Adderal, Risperdal (an anti-psychotic) and today Strattera. I am at the doctor with her every month and we still don't even have a firm autism diagnosis (and they have been working with her for SIX YEARS). She is in special ed. classes year-round in the lowest functioning classroom, and operates at about a 12 month level...I realize as a parent you do what you have to do, but the emotional strain of having a child that does nothing but SCREAM day and night has taken its toll on all of us. I know about respite care but that scares me b/c of the chance someone could be mean to her or molest her or anything like that, and she wouldn't be able to tell us that it happened. She is very clumsy and has hurt herslef twice this past year, and CPS just LOVES to visit my home and give me grief about it.

As I said we love her very much but the starin has become too much to handle. If anyone has similar experiences I would love to hear your story and make chat for some support...Thanks...Mommy 38 weeks with number 6

Answer 1

Hello...my daughter has an autistic spectrum disorder (Rett Syndrome) and if you haven't had her tested for this please do! It mostly affects girls as autism mostly affects boys, and girls with it are usually misdiagnosed with autism or CP. www.rettsyndrome.org

Yes, it is very stressful and has a huge strain on the family. But there are a lot of support groups out there. You always have to be careful about caregivers. I am lucky enough to be a stay at home mom and scared to death to EVER leave her alone with anyone. If I do use respite, I will make sure it is a female. My daughter is only 3 and will enter school soon...I will keep a very close eye on them! I will drop in whenever I can unannouced. Why does CPS visit you? I have never even talked to them. What are the meds for?

Answer 2

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. I don't have a child with autism, but I have had many special needs children over the years as a preschool teacher, and I can understand your frustration. Have you joined a support group for families of autistic children? It may help you to get the perspectives of other families going through the same things as you. The Autism Society of America can help you find local resources to help you in making your decision. Also, check out this site, it had some interesting information on it. (If you've already read it, I apologize.) Good luck!
http://www.familyfirst.net/famlife/autism.asp

Answer 3

i don't have an autistic child in my home, but i am a special education teacher that works one on one with a child that is blind and has undiagnosed autism. her parents do not want o believe that there is anything "wrong" with her besides the fact that she is blind. anyway, children like these can be a lot of work. her mother comes to school and tells me all the horrible things that her child does. she will lay down on the ground in the middle of wal-mart (she's 10 years old), she is constantly playing with herself, and has multiple behavior disorders. just do not give up hope. it's much easier to be a parent of a "normal" child than to one that isn't. keep your head up and know that you are not alone. i would try searching the internet for a parents group for people with autistic children. sometimes they can be your best resources because they actually have a child with a disability.

Answer 4

Oh sweet heart I dont have a autistic child and I cannot imagine what you are going through.But I did have a very sick child for about 5 years and I can say that the hospital had all kinds of programs for support and Mommy's day out and things of that nature.Have you called your local hospital?Or local support chapters?I cant tell you what to do about respite care because I am not in your shoes and dont know if I could do it either,I guess in my mind I would have to say have I exhausted every measure I can to properly care for her and it is still not working then I would have to consider it.I am going to put you on my prayer chain and I hope that you get the answers you are looking for God Bless!!!!

Answer 5

ok well i understand completely how you feel i used to take care of an autisic child and i will tell you one thing its is NOT their fault just remember that and try to have patience with her there heart is bigger then yours or mine could ever be, GOOD LUCK!