tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33052404.post1257444914328700888..comments2024-02-13T21:31:57.980-04:00Comments on Facing Autism in New Brunswick: You Listen Mister: Best Autism Advice This Autism Parent Ever ReceivedAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05838571980003579163noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33052404.post-80567207849924309592012-07-24T18:04:46.663-03:002012-07-24T18:04:46.663-03:00(There's a typo in my comment above which make...(There's a typo in my comment above which makes it harder to understand what I was saying. Just to clarify, I meant to say "I now REGRET not working harder" not "I now reject not working harder".)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33052404.post-65589222711956209632012-07-23T22:06:02.868-03:002012-07-23T22:06:02.868-03:00I still struggle with this topic, for a range of r...I still struggle with this topic, for a range of reasons. <br /><br />We used ABA with my son from very early on, and it had a clear and positive impact on his functioning and life. But there were certain aspects of the therapy that I felt uncomfortable with, in particular, some efforts to change his obviously different behaviours. I ended up holding to the belief that trying to change some of those behaviours was going against his identity and "natural difference" (which was a view supported by what I read in ND dialogues). <br /><br />I now reject not working harder on changing one of those behaviours because it's become very entrenched and that much harder to change, and they're making his life and his younger brother's life harder and more unpleasant than it needs to be. My younger son has picked up and is exhibiting some of the behaviours too (he's not autistic, they're solely picked up from his brother) so now we're trying to get the behaviours under control for both of them. But I do wonder whether we would have ever been successful with the change we sought, and I still question whether wanting to change it now is in his best interests (thus the fact that I still struggle with this topic). I'm still getting my head around all this.<br /><br />I've been intending to write about the regrets I have, in my blog for a while now, and I do plan to within the next few days, but I'd been holding back partially because I know the post is likely to attract some condemnation from certain quarters. So I must say that though I don't agree with everything you say and believe Harold, I do admire your courage and honesty, and I respect how hard you've worked with your son.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33052404.post-33592743917079147462012-07-23T14:11:42.860-03:002012-07-23T14:11:42.860-03:00My son Jim is about to turn 15 and is the on spect...My son Jim is about to turn 15 and is the on spectrum. He is between severe and moderate. Dawn's advise is right on. Years ago, when I was in the armed forces I would talk to other parents whose children were newly diagnosed. I always said Find your inner witch (B - is implied) and set her free. She is your best friend, she will fight for your child better than anyone, with tireless energy and spirit.Just Mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16364340662839225373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33052404.post-52310820924581368122012-07-23T10:26:40.919-03:002012-07-23T10:26:40.919-03:00Þorgerður thank you for sharing your experience an...Þorgerður thank you for sharing your experience and perspective.HL Dohertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11507279362470407864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33052404.post-27662964412698933782012-07-23T08:02:03.705-03:002012-07-23T08:02:03.705-03:00Thank you for being there at a critically importan...Thank you for being there at a critically important time Dawn. And thanks for having the guts to speak up so .... forcefully. I appreciate it to this day and .... I still chuckle when I think about it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05838571980003579163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33052404.post-60574224108438838332012-07-23T07:16:22.585-03:002012-07-23T07:16:22.585-03:00Thank you for those kind words. After 16years I s...Thank you for those kind words. After 16years I still give the exact same advice. By nature I am a realist, and as a nurse it is enhanced. Neurodiversity stuff is pure BS..and parents needs to know to cut through that stuff and get ABA treatment which is where the real learning begins. <br /><br />Dawn BowieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33052404.post-13344369534041144312012-07-23T04:59:20.720-03:002012-07-23T04:59:20.720-03:00I too was affected by that ideology it was the fir...I too was affected by that ideology it was the first thing I stumbled upon when searching the internet in the beginning when my son was first diagnosed but thankfully I met sensible people who helped me put things into perspective.Þorgerðurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17781828071173057186noreply@blogger.com