Should I be treating my autistic 6-year-old like he’s any different from the other kids?
A father who took his autistic son to the park is now facing backlash from the child’s biological mother. The father posted this question on Reddit last week.
‘Should I be treating my autistic 6-year-old differently from other kids in the neighborhood?
Surprisingly, the question came after he had taken his son to the park. His son fell and broke his wrist after playing on the monkey bars. The child’s mother was angry, blaming the father and expressing that it is “Wrong to pretend he is like any other child.”
Most responses backed the father, who shared that he is also autistic.
“The only reason he should be treated differently is if it’s some accommodation for any of his extra needs. Other than this, he’s just like any other kid his age, so why should he be treated any different?”
“I’d say it depends on how severe your son’s autism is?“
“My son is severely autistic and non-verbal and has no sense of danger when it comes to roads/cars, and he’s scared of his own shadow so would easily panic if there was a dog or something nearby.”
Questions Questions?
While most sided with the father, it raises two glaringly obvious questions.
Should we let our kids experience and experiment with boundaries (under a watchful eye), or should we protect them at all costs?
Recently I was lucky enough to attend an event by Speaking Insights. Daryl and Daniel Giles travel around Australia and talk about how Daniel went “From (Autism) Diagnosis to OAM.”
What was interesting was Daryl recounting how he gave Daniel opportunities to learn and experience different things. Because of this, Daniel talks about how this was advantageous in his current role as a public speaker, advocate, and Graphic designer. Learning how to travel alone as an adult and being able to learn and adapt as a child helped build Daniels’s resilience for the future. Daryl recounts it did not always go to plan. Because of this, Daniel was never put in harm’s way. Through experience, Daniel learned resilience and confidence.
Helicopter parenting.
It is hard to let go of the fear. The father on Reddit wants to help his son build resilience while the mother fears and genuinely wants to protect her son. We can appreciate both sides. I think a healthy balance of both is the most logical way forward. We have to let go and trust the skills we teach our children are enough.
What would be your advice to this Reddit father?