We told our 10 year old his asd diagnosis, and he went ahead to tell many kids at school that he is autistic. They are not even his real friends, but they sometimes may interact and play together. He is mainstream. We have asked him why he did that, he said he just wanted to share. That is over sharing for no reason. I don't want to make him feel bad about his diagnosis, but I really need him to shut up his mouth to broadcast about it around for no reasons. |
You need to consider what shame and embarrassment you carry that makes you feel so strongly that he not share it with peers. If you have specific concerns, you can discuss with your son, but no "don't talk about it." It's a good thing that he feels comfortable sharing. Have you asked him how people responded? That's an important next conversation, not just telling him he did the wrong thing. |
Feels somewhat predictable. Also, people or a lot already know. But you can go back and teach that we don’t share medical diagnosis. Nothing wrong with having asthma or autism or high blood pressure, but it’s generally not anyone else’s business and health issues are usually kept private. That’s how I explained it to my DS with his dyslexia. Nothing to be ashamed about but nothing you have to share if you don’t want to. In your case, nothing to be ashamed of but not information to share. |
Stop being embarrassed about it, he's not. |
How did it happen that you raised a lovely child and you are a shitty parent?
Something is wrong with you. Your kid is great! |
Why? Do you think ASD reflects on you? I really don't understand your reaction here. |
Wait what??? Why is this your reaction? I understand there’s some stigma but I think kids often know when some one is a little different. My kid is super vocal about their ADHD and I think it’s great. They have friends who have it too. |
Kids don't care nowadays. Mine hangs out with asd relative and her asd friends all the time.
They probably already forgot. |
You're wrong, he's right. This way if he does something weird he can say "Oh that's my autism, sorry" and kids will be more accepting of him missing a social cue here or there. |
Wow that was hard to read OP. Hopefully your reaction doesn’t cause him to feel ashamed of himself.
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I think that’s fine. I’m assuming he feels validated by his diagnosis, and he is showing that he will be a good self-advocate! I’m proud of him and he’s not even my kid! |
I'm certainly not one to think of ASD as a superpower. It's an unfortunate condition that brings lifelong challenges of various shapes and sizes to those it afflicts. But I certainly don't think it's something anyone should be ashamed of. |
We used to keep my kids asd diagnosis a secret, because of shame my exh felt. Finally I started telling people when it became very obviously without a doubt clear that he was different. Im glad I did - people give the kid on the spectrum much more grace that that which is given to the weird kid. |
Its ok, OP. Around that age my guy made a rap track about it (that was as off the beat and monotone as you can pictures) and sent it to the entire grade. They grow out of it. Kids forget. Other kids are also telling their diagnosis. It will be ok. |