How do you explain what causes autism to a child?
“My son is aged five but I doubt he will ever have any answers as to why he is autistic,” writes a father from Coatbridge, UK, in a letter in The Herald (July 1st).
More than a few parents have noted to me that, as their child has gotten older, they have talked about autism with them and of what this is, and of why it makes a person different. How many parents (or professionals) have spoken to their child about why he or she is autistic—about what causes autism?
14 opinions for How do you explain what causes autism to a child?
Bink
Jul 1, 2007 at 8:00 pm
I have. I have told her that she was born this way, and that we love her as she is, and that we appreciate her.
VAB
Jul 1, 2007 at 8:09 pm
I have talked to our guy about being autistic, but there is no why to explain. Some people are tall. Some people have red hair. Some people are really good at swimming. Some people hate chocolate. Some people are autistic. What do we need a why for?
Karen
Jul 1, 2007 at 9:30 pm
My son has asked me what autism is and I don’t really know how to answer that. He is 6 and definitely on the spectrum but with no official diagnosis. I am sure that one day, my son will need a “why” because that’s the way he thinks about things. He wants to know “why” for everything.
Amanda
Jul 1, 2007 at 9:35 pm
I was told — repeatedly — that I was “wired up differently from normal” (a phrase that was repeated often and appears in my records). This was probably true but very confusing.
Suzanne
Jul 1, 2007 at 10:25 pm
VAB-I agree, we (my family) don’t need a why. Who knows if my kids will need more explanations than I do as they grow up.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jul 1, 2007 at 10:28 pm
I’ve noted to Charlie, “you’re like Dad and you’re like Mom.”
BrstPathDoc
Jul 1, 2007 at 11:03 pm
VAB’s nailed it.
George Wade
Jul 2, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Amanda,
Some cocktails of pollution, combined with our genetics, foul up frequencies of communication or “Wavelengths” in the brain. Then ideas go to places that don’t understand them; get lost; produce strange emotions and movements…
There are a lot of cause and effect ideas that seem to fit many kinds of people but not all of us at once. We don’t know as much as we should.
I’ll try posting a forum address next…
George Wade
Jul 2, 2007 at 1:34 pm
A forum where many working ideas for improving autistic lives by diet and mostly natural chemistry is: health.groups.yahoo.com/group/mb12valtrex/
I’m not trying to persuade you: AutismVox has many great ideas; Stan Kurtz on vitamin B12 + has too. I try to combine the best of many worlds :^)
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jul 2, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Thanks, George…..
CFSer
Jul 2, 2007 at 1:54 pm
I’ve often been concerned about some of the ideas Stan Kurtz pushes on that yahoogroup of his. I’ve heard some say they feel he is practicing medicine without a license (much less a HS diploma).
George Wade
Jul 2, 2007 at 2:49 pm
I’m very concerned about Stan Kurtz’ ideas too. They get subjected to my usual range of checking things out. So far I have found intriguing ideas there that I need to try practically.
I’m just as careful with registered doctors. I go to them for heart surgery because I don’t want to try that on the kitchen table or in the garage. But when it comes to preventing the next heart attack I go 99% to alternative medicine.
I don’t go to the local MD for Asperger’s treatment because it would be unfair! Proper treatment will take decades to filter down to local level.
You are right to bring this concern up and I’ll keep it in mind as I do a M12 Valtrex trial.
mumkeepingsane
Jul 3, 2007 at 10:26 am
I struggle with this sometimes. Patrick is 5 and, I think, not quite ready to understand what autism is much less why it is. I hope I’ll know when he’s ready to hear more.
His older brother knows they’re different in how they process information, react to situations, understand things, etc.
Patrick knows he’s autistic, but in the same way (as was mentioned before) as he knows he has brown hair, brown eyes, he’s left handed, he’s 5 years old….
Melody
Mar 26, 2008 at 6:18 pm
My dad just explained it as a different wiring of the brain. He’s also on the spectrum. After I was diagnosed and everything, I hardly ever thought about it again until three years later at age 13. Now 5 years after that and I’m writing a blog and a self-advocate.
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