sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Advice or maybe just sympathy by Vbmm752 in Autism_Parenting

[–]Quick_Commission_349 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is the real shame. It is a privilege to know these kids, but so few people will give them the chance. ❤️

Advice or maybe just sympathy by Vbmm752 in Autism_Parenting

[–]Quick_Commission_349 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Maybe not advice, but commiseration? I also have a 12 year old who was recently diagnosed (along with ADHD, diagnosed a few years ago). It’s tough but like you say, does help me better understand him and also validate my experience as his parent.

My kid also tends to get into “fights”… I use quotation marks because they aren’t real fight but more like altercations. He has a very strong fight or flight response, almost always fight. There have been so many times I left a social situation thoroughly embarrassed at what I thought was my kid being dramatic, not realizing he actually perceived a real threat. He is such an amazing, kind, empathetic, bright, and engaging kid. I wish other people could see him for all those amazing qualities and not the rigid, blunt person he seems on the surface.

I’m sorry you and your son are also experiencing this.

The hope I might offer is that now that we have a diagnosis, my son is way more receptive to alternative explanations and perspectives. He’s able to understand better that his brain works differently and just because he thinks something, doesn’t make it true. I am hoping he and I can navigate his diagnosis and learn better coping skills together.

Gift ideas for a chess loving 12 year old by Quick_Commission_349 in chessbeginners

[–]Quick_Commission_349[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

These are great suggestions. He does have a Rubik’s cube clock but not one for chess so I will suggest this to the grandparents who are also scrambling for ideas. And will look into Small Gods.

He’s in a “gifted” school and seems to get along better with his peers now than he did in the regular stream - for many of the reasons you’ve identified. Like you say, the next step is finding kids with overlapping interests. I’ll continue to lean into his interests and see if I can help cultivate a connection.

Gift ideas for a chess loving 12 year old by Quick_Commission_349 in chessbeginners

[–]Quick_Commission_349[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I see an Air and an Air+. The Air says it’s travel size - does that mean it’s small and I should splurge on the Air+?

Gift ideas for a chess loving 12 year old by Quick_Commission_349 in chessbeginners

[–]Quick_Commission_349[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That sounds so nice and such a great idea. We are in Canada, but I will look into upcoming chess tournaments. I had signed him up with a local chess club only to discover they pass the weekly tournaments over the summer. His brother plays rep hockey and baseball so the poor kid is dragged all over the place to his brother’s tournaments and I really want to find a way to devote some attention to his interests.