Nothing wrong with different, as long as it doesn't hurt

It's sad how so many parents are completely ignorant about autism--that it's not just quirky traits and what's wrong with my kid being different??? Being different is fine. GREAT! But feeling pain and discomfort is not great. And those "quirky" things your kid does is very likely your child's body trying to combat discomfort or even serious pain. Like the message board post I saw by a mother who, at the time of the post, was not allowing her child to wear a pressure vest, recommended by the OT, because her son walks on his toes. She doesn't see anything wrong with him walking on his toes because he's only in preschool..... !!! WELL, often times preschoolers, and especially autistic ones, are not mature enough with communication to tell us when they are really hurting or uncomfortable--and maybe that's why he walks on his toes! A pressure vest is supposed to feel GOOD to the wearer. It is not a punishment. If it the child doesn't like it, the OT knows it's not the needed therapy and will not continue use of it. A vest is not like a straight jacket. I have seen first hand many kids at my daughter's school wearing their vests. The vest brings a smile to the boy who is otherwise grimacing and shrieking and flailing. It also made another little boy talk and play with friends after months of speech regression. Vests are a good thing if they work! If they don't work, don't wear them. Goooooodddd grief! Seriously. It's outrageous!

Also outrageous is the little boy at our mainstream preschool who has many autistic characteristics but his mom froze in horror when--after she was telling me how he likes to pretend to be other classmates, assumes their names at home, and can perfectly mimic their voices and gestures--I asked if he also repeats things she says, or wants her to repeat what he says. Along with the horrified look she exclaimed, "Oh no! Nothing like THAT! I just think it's because he's going to be an ACTOR." .......

Oh....really....? Okay. Because my kid does all that stuff too, but I don't necessarily think it's because she's going to be an actor (though she might be, who knows). But for now, it's because she's autistic.