Anonymous wrote:Sadly, OP, you have to wait for the behaviors to get even worse before they'll be willing to seek professional help. If you come on too strong, you will push further into denial. I've witnessed that in action.
Ultimately it's useless to scare them with diagnoses like autism, even if that's what she may have. What she needs is anxiety management, and you can gently remind her parents to address that with a professional and read up on the topic... but it's going to be an uphill battle, even if they're both engaged and motivated. I'm a 45 year old anxious mother with two anxious kids, one of whom is on the spectrum. It's a lifelong condition and it needs to be managed. This family will realize this at some point.
I find it hard to believe that OP's SLP friend reached out to her out of the blue and asked that question. My guess is OP asked her opinion/gossiped to her about her niece.Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Ok, thanks all. Got the message and won’t say anything else about it. My goal is not to get my niece a diagnosis, it’s to get her some help after experiencing her behavior for a couple weeks and feeling bad for her daily struggles.
And re: my friend the SLP, she only made the comment after seeing my sister try to negotiate with my niece and deal with an epic meltdown she had when we ran into her. My friend was coming from a place of sympathy assuming my niece was on the spectrum. I don’t necessarily think she is (not sure it matters either way) but it opened my eyes even more that outsiders see my niece for just 20 mins and think her behavior is abnormal.
SLPs aren't qualified to diagnose autism anyway so I sure as sh*t would'nt mention THAT to them. But I agree, MYOB, and just be a present and supportive aunt.
The SLP has probably worked with a number of NT kids and has a good sense of the landscape.
Still completely inappropriate for friend to reach out and ask about OPs niece. I'm qualified more than most to diagnose various issues. I would never reach out to a friend and say "hey, does your niece have autism? Noticed some signs the other day when we were all hanging out". It's just so inappropriate.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Ok, thanks all. Got the message and won’t say anything else about it. My goal is not to get my niece a diagnosis, it’s to get her some help after experiencing her behavior for a couple weeks and feeling bad for her daily struggles.
And re: my friend the SLP, she only made the comment after seeing my sister try to negotiate with my niece and deal with an epic meltdown she had when we ran into her. My friend was coming from a place of sympathy assuming my niece was on the spectrum. I don’t necessarily think she is (not sure it matters either way) but it opened my eyes even more that outsiders see my niece for just 20 mins and think her behavior is abnormal.
SLPs aren't qualified to diagnose autism anyway so I sure as sh*t would'nt mention THAT to them. But I agree, MYOB, and just be a present and supportive aunt.
The SLP has probably worked with a number of NT kids and has a good sense of the landscape.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Ok, thanks all. Got the message and won’t say anything else about it. My goal is not to get my niece a diagnosis, it’s to get her some help after experiencing her behavior for a couple weeks and feeling bad for her daily struggles.
And re: my friend the SLP, she only made the comment after seeing my sister try to negotiate with my niece and deal with an epic meltdown she had when we ran into her. My friend was coming from a place of sympathy assuming my niece was on the spectrum. I don’t necessarily think she is (not sure it matters either way) but it opened my eyes even more that outsiders see my niece for just 20 mins and think her behavior is abnormal.
SLPs aren't qualified to diagnose autism anyway so I sure as sh*t would'nt mention THAT to them. But I agree, MYOB, and just be a present and supportive aunt.
Anonymous wrote:I’m gathering that you talk about this child’s behavior with your cousin, your friend who is an SLP, and DCUM at a minimum. Please stop gossiping about this child.
My mom often intimates that there is something wrong with my child. There is nothing wrong with her, but she does have several diagnoses. We will never tell my mom because her behavior shows she’s not trustworthy with this information. She will forever think we aren’t getting my child help.
Anonymous wrote:I’m gathering that you talk about this child’s behavior with your cousin, your friend who is an SLP, and DCUM at a minimum. Please stop gossiping about this child.
My mom often intimates that there is something wrong with my child. There is nothing wrong with her, but she does have several diagnoses. We will never tell my mom because her behavior shows she’s not trustworthy with this information. She will forever think we aren’t getting my child help.
Anonymous wrote:You already DID talk to them. You're finished. Let it go. They get to parent the way they want to. You can't control that.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It’s very possible she has a therapist and/or psychiatrist and they are keeping it private. Don’t push and don’t compare to your NT child.
Mom of two anxious young adults (one of whom is on the spectrum).
This is OP. I know for sure that she does not. Our cousin is her after school caregiver/nanny (and has also pointed out to my brother/SIL that she is very anxious) and would likely be the one taking her to appts.
Anonymous wrote:Ok, thanks all. Got the message and won’t say anything else about it. My goal is not to get my niece a diagnosis, it’s to get her some help after experiencing her behavior for a couple weeks and feeling bad for her daily struggles.
And re: my friend the SLP, she only made the comment after seeing my sister try to negotiate with my niece and deal with an epic meltdown she had when we ran into her. My friend was coming from a place of sympathy assuming my niece was on the spectrum. I don’t necessarily think she is (not sure it matters either way) but it opened my eyes even more that outsiders see my niece for just 20 mins and think her behavior is abnormal.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:It’s very possible she has a therapist and/or psychiatrist and they are keeping it private. Don’t push and don’t compare to your NT child.
Mom of two anxious young adults (one of whom is on the spectrum).
This is OP. I know for sure that she does not. Our cousin is her after school caregiver/nanny (and has also pointed out to my brother/SIL that she is very anxious) and would likely be the one taking her to appts.