Why are so many neurotypical people always telling us with Autism that we "don't need a label"? If you had diabetes you'd want to label that, correct? It seems like Autism makes some people extremely uncomfortable, and we should just keep masking for their comfort, not ours!
I completely agree. I often tell people that it isn’t a label, it’s an explanation. Some of us have been seeking those answers and explanations our entire lives. Why wouldn’t we help our kids have that at the youngest age possible.
Yes, related/not related I feel that way when people have the school of thought that you shouldn't put a label on a mental illness, you should just treat the symptoms. Problem is that the same symptoms can present as part of very different mental illnesses. Getting the right meds and treatments relies on treating the correct thing. Same with physical illnesses, you don't want to put a label on that, just treat the symptoms. Well that is a sure-fire way to miss cancer and chronic illnesses which need a very different treatment option to someone who someone who has fatigue because their iron is low. Only way to know is through testing, silly me the end result of testing is hopefully a diagnosis.
The truth is the truth. I agree. If we have something to call it then there's a diagnosis to try to help the individual. Just because it has a name, does it make it bad. Doesn't make it wrong. It's just a name for something like a chair as a chair or a horse is a horse.
I remember in an autism chatroom when I introduced myself to a newcomer as being on the autism spectrum, I got the remark of that I didn't need to put that on a resumé (and I never ever implied in English or any other language that I had done this, but sheesh, do I maybe need to use an online translator to make it clear in another language that I never implied that I was putting that on any resumé). Not to mention, I remember years back, there was this girl who was actually glad she got diagnosed with bipolar when she was diagnosed, because if did explain stuff about her, to be honest I use to suspect my mom might be bipolar (which her mom was diagnosed with and one of her sister's is diagnosed with it too and another one of her sister's probably is bipolar herself, and it's very possible 2 of her daughters who are twins might be autistic and the son of one of them was diagnosed ADHD but last few times I saw him, her sure looked to me like he's probably autistic), of course my mom was ultimately diagnosed with the thyroid condition of Hashimoto's disease and it turns out some people with that who are not bipolar have been misdiagnosed as such (no wonder I thought my mom might be bipolar). But anyways yeah back to this lady who said I didn't need to put it on a resumé, she also implied I did not need to tell anyone I am autistic due to my functioning level and all that, and it's like it's not like I always just up and say or mention it but I certainly have made mention of it, when discussions have been on and on with co-workers and people in church and an assortment of different kinds of people, especially on various topics. In fact a couple of individuals have figured it out without me having to actually say anything directly (and to tell the truth I did before work with individuals who for sure got diagnosed ADHD and there was a guy I worked with who spoke of it being assumed be might be autistic and one girl I had worked with had told me of it being possible she is autistic and ADHD and even some of her friends are sure she is autistic and some of what I observed, I am so very sure of it myself, there's additional individuals I have worked with that I suspect ADHD and quite a few where I suspected autism, 2 siblings I use to work with a brother and sister, I suspect the brother from this brother and sister is ADHD and the sister from this brother and sister probably autistic). Granted I can't say I would necessarily always see autism or ADHD or anything else in everyone who either is, or could be either or both, but there's been times when I have clearly seen it and have turned it to be right, but yeah for anyone to tell me that I don't need to ever say I am autistic, it's like boom I make no secret, especially if I am asked, and even if there are people who don't see something, there are some people who will see something, and evil bullies out there have used what they see as excuse to bully and make false assumptions (which so totally makes me support the idea of autistic people carrying recording devices to record bullies if anyone is doing such a thing, so that if the bully did something illegal to the autistic person, the bully can hopefully be sent to the slammer for it). I was 1st diagnosed with autism when I was 2 and a half back when I was among Michigan natives living in Texas (my dad was among multitudes of Michigan natives that applied for work in Texas after being laid off in Michigan and my grandma on my mom's side let him take her motorhome to Texas to live out of that before being able to send for me, my mom and my sister who has ADHD, once my dad had found an apartment in Houston suitable for the family, and after taking me to different doctors and hospitals including testing me for deafness, as I really did get tested for deafness, the final result was indeed autism, and I was supposedly a lost cause, I bet whoever diagnosed me didn't see that I would fly on the other side of the Atlantic not once but twice so far and I am hoping for a 3rd run of such in due time). A few years after moving back to Michigan, I had to get autism testing again to be recognized autistic in Michigan since the Texas diagnosis was somehow eventually not gonna get accepted in Michigan (even though I had gotten special ed services before the Michigan diagnosis) so yeah I got diagnosed in Texas at 2 and a half and a few years after returning to Michigan I got a re-diagnosis at 7 and a half and that was done by Dr. Andrew Maltz who did retire from being a psychologist in 2019 but he had been one of Michigan's very best in the field of diagnosing autism, yet when I have dealt with naysayers saying "oh you are not autistic." I am like "excuse me, I got diagnosed in 2 different states." Granted I was indeed a child when I 1st got told I am autistic, although I will say it was awhile before the fact that I am autistic would explain certain things about me. I know I am saying a lot but I am sure you know what I am saying and I see what you are saying too with what you are describing.
Autism is hereditary so it makes sense that all your children are on the spectrum when both parents are 😊 also, the girls really looks like you, especially Sadie 😀 such a beautiful family!
My granddaughter has autism and the specialist told my daughter it is not hereditary I'm not sure but they did do genetics on my daughter & husband and no one else in either family have it but she was born without a thyroid and it has caused lots of problems and they think that's what caused it not sure they know what they are talking about
@Salazar77- there is definitely a huge hereditary factor in autism. I would be very leery of any specialist who didn’t realize that. Many parents aren’t diagnosed until after their children, because in the not so distant past not much was known about autism by many people. Genetic testing can tell you if there are mutations, but there are levels of testing, and there isn’t any one “autism gene.” Generally you will see things like sensory sensitivities, speech delays, and social awkwardness in one or both parents. Many families think “oh everyone does that “ about some pretty specific signs.
@@Autmazing that's what I was wondering because my son in law has 2 nieces that are sisters that have autism from what we been told they live in Mexico so idk if they have ever been to any testing but the Dr said that doesn't matter because it's not hereditary and I thought if 3 people from the same family it must be,but they say it's from not having a thyroid and was born with a extra female chromosome
I paid a lot of money for a psychiatrist who told me that it's not always hereditary. I can't say one way or the other but as a person with attention deficit issues I can say that you have to find creative ways to handle whatever life throws you 😁I'm from rural Michigan too! North of grand rapids! Oh and my son is now 23 going to turn 24 and he's such a blessing!!!
In my prayers my husband left me for another women manybys ago. I’m better off without him and so are you. You don’t need a person that does not value you. You will be fine. God on your side he will answer your prayers. Hang in there keep the faith.
I'm sorry you were getting negativity. I never saw it, if that helps at all. The internet is a very negative space, and i know its easier said than done, but i hope you give yourself some grace and not let the negativity get to you.❤❤
I also never fit in.....not diagnosed though. I am 66. The older you get, the less you care that you are different.....you get more and more comfortable as you get older )with yourself)
I can’t wait for more videos and to see how the kids have grown and changed! Please don’t let the haters bring you down. Nobody has any right to judge anyone else but there will always be those keyboard warriors who like to make ugly comments to everyone.
You are SUCH a good Mommy!!!! My teenaged niece is non diagnosed but so so so obvious that she's autistic. She absolutely knows because I had her read about other kids . Her parents have her in therapy for literally everything.... just not autism. They don't want that label m(and her mother is a psychologist!!!). They've medicated my niece with the worst antipsych drugs. It's beyond frustrating. My niece told me she feels like she's an embarrassment to her parents. She knows there's therapy that truly would help her to have an easier time with life and she's even talked to both parents to express her desire to be diagnosed. Her mom just says it wouldn't do her any good to have that label. Her mom says it would create a problem with future employers. Right now, she won't go to school most of the time because she can't deal with other kids. That's ok with her mom.... just as long as nobody knows she's autistic! Naturally almost everyone can see the autism. Ugh. Sorry, maybe too much info but I finally found YOU and you're addressing this exact subject (with your daughter who wanted to know if she truly was). Oh and you are so right about being able to see that some newborns are on the spectrum! I could tell with my niece as soon as she was home from the hospital. A Mama just knows, especially when you've been around others with autism. Thank you so very much for your willingness to help all of us! Thank you for not making your babies feel like this is too huge of a problem! I love how accepting you are and I can see that you cherish each individual child. 💕
I have been watching you for a while now. Missed you when you took a break. I’m so sorry for the difficult time you are now going through 🤗. You are such a great mom and I love watching you interact with your kids. I don’t like when people say not to label kids. Labels are not bad, they get help for those kids who need it, and validate who they are. Those who are against labels are more worried about what others think than what’s best for their child.
I have bipolar, my Daughter has bipolar, and my Husband has OCD, so whats so wrong with that? We take our meds, go to therapy, and meet with psychiatrist every other month. You have a Beautiful Family, and it was nice watching your video. Have A Bless Weekend ❤
I realize that each person with autism is different, and its hard to explain the differences and similarities without using levels or labels, I'm just curious what autistic traits you see in James amd Patrick? They both seem very vocal and smart (not that autistic people cant be, i am having a hard time elaborating lol 😅), so its something im curious about!!
I am still so thankful that Professor Longo introduced us to work on that campaign together! Driving around putting up signs and finding those addresses before map apps was the perfect start! So thankful for you!
I don't necessarily like leveling either. I was dx in childhood but I don't really fit into any "level" I'm different levels on different days and different times at different places. But at the same time autism is a spectrum and I don't really know how else to describe it. Even high support needs and low support needs changes all the time for me too.
I agree, levels only exist to pigeonhole us and for them to have an arbitrary marker for what level of support they think that you need. They don't get it that what level you are is based on a couple of different markers that NT's have decided that are important with the biggest one being how well you play/communicate like a NT person. That has zero to do with what your actual support needs are. Where I live levels 2&3 get funded support but level 1 doesn't. It just feels like it is something else where they have decided that you are 'high functioning' and so don't need help.
My 9 year old is still undiagnosed at the moment but is still nonverbal. He also has down syndrome. Years ago I read the book Aspergirls because I was thinking my oldest was on the spectrum. When I read it, I thought....that's me! Like 95% of the book is the story of me. I haven't bothered pursuing a diagnosis. At my age, I figure why bother. I know what I know ...now. God bless you and your family ❤️
Wow hearing you talk about Maggie as a baby, that was me too. I slept all the time and my mum had to wake me up for feeding. When I was small I would go to sleep anywhere anytime. If I was tired I didn't care that I hadn't had my dinner first and would just curl up somewhere.
I'm over 65 and am pretty sure I'm autistic. I'm pre-internet. There really wasn't much info out there at all on autism. But by learning and observing all I can and being in the medical field, I think that most of my family are autistic. It explains so many things and it's starting to all fall in place. I've only told one friend about my conclusions because I know it wouldn't be received well by my siblings, neices, nephew, and their children. I think it's kind of late to be formally diagnosed. I'm retired. My parents have passed. I am more at peace now that i know there is nothing wrong with me or my family. We are just different. I've had much success in life and learned to "mask" as it's called. I appreciate you sharing your experiences. 💗
its amazing as an autistic mom with all 3 of my babies also are autistic, to see them helping each other to be understood. i love ur videos!!! thank you so much!!!
I started following you yesterday n I want to say, youre an amazing Mother!!! My hats off to you, your babies are soo lucky to have you🙏🙌🙏 ❤❤❤❤❤ About the Divorce, that Sucks horribly, I know, we got divorced after 14 yrs n 3 kids…. Extremely hard n heartbreaking for me n my kids. But were all good, my beautiful kids are all, healthy, responsible n thriving in their married life w their kids❤❤❤❤❤
You are amazing I feel I have to ask or say how can your husband have all these kids your right your not broken Jesus has plans for you I pray for the Dad
I have so much love for others and compassion and empathy, but have been told a lot growing up that I seemed like a snob when people meet me. It takes years for people to see my true self. I have been told I need to smile more and need to act more happy. I feel happy and try to show happiness but it can come across fake. I spent so much time alone playing as a kid and grew up with sisters who were rough and loud. I don't understand people and have considered I'm autistic to some degree. How would you go about getting tested?
I'm glad I found your channel. I'm really believing more and more that all my family is in the spectrum too. I've even had a brain tumor that caused executive functioning problems on top of that so there's a double layer of autistic and that on top of it. Not sure how having twice as much affects me.
My oldest grandson has autism he's a handful but so smart and he's a Nana's boy big time he will be 22 on his next birthday and we have been truly blessed with him
Wild to me anyone would assume kids that are on camera more are kids you prefer. Like obviously they have different preferences. I feel like I've seen Sadie more in sitting and talking videos than going about her day in the past, obviously that was just her choice of how she wanted to be seen
You did an awesome job explaining all of that! As a retired special education teacher, I think you're doing an extraordinary job parenting your children! 🥰Blessings from South Australia💕🐨
This is only the second time I've watched one of your videos. Thanks for explaining everything. All I can say is God truly knew who would be the perfect mother for those 5 special little ones. God bless you & your beautiful children. I look forward to seeing & hearing your life adventures.
You are an amazing mother and woman. Thank you for explaining about yourself and your family to us and baring your soul. I am new to your videos. I am in awe of your motherhood style, you really are incredible. I am so sorry to hear about your husband leaving, that was the first video I watched of you and I cried with you. I hope he remains in the childrens lives and supports you as well. One day in the future you may want to think about writing a book as it may help other families with their struggles. My friend wrote a book about having triplets (all boys) with ADHD and Aspergers. She also had an older son who was fine. The book made you laugh and cry about her roller coaster ride into motherhood. The book was a success and helped so many people. Be strong in the Lord.
Ok. This vlogging mother WASN'T diagnosed with High-Functioning Autism until she was thirty-seven. That was a "very late" autism diagnosis. My older brother was diagnosed with autism "late" at aged eleven.
A lot of parents are diagnosed after their kids. We often had other, much less appropriate diagnosis when we were younger. 🤷♀️ Maybe allow grace for others. It’s not a competition.
