AUTISM
How would you describe autism to people who may not know?
Autism specrum is a disorder of neurology couple with range of developmental disabilities that causes social ,communication and behavioural problems (delayed speech ,poor gross motor skills etc
How did you find out that your son has autism?
Getting a diagnosis for Autism Specrum is never easy as abc since there is no medical test like blood test to diagnose the disorder, diagnosis is based on looking the child behaviour and development . For me i discovered that my Son is Autistic after a coupled of session with therapist and DR's visits when i was worried with his developmental milestones which were drastically delayed .
It's not a common thing to black people, how did you deal with the news?
Not its not common ,even myself the only time i knew about autism it was when my son was diagnose with the specrum . In many instances black people will associate the specrum with something that has to do dark forces and would want to do whole lot of rituals for the child to cast the bad spell .
What are some of the challenges you face as a mother raising a son with autism?
* starring from people when they noticed your big boy cant make a sensible conversation (poor speech)
*Because of his poor gross motor hs inability to bath himself and wiping himself after toilet at his age .
What do you think struggles the most with?
When I am failing to figure out his true emotions because he cant express himself well . As for the rest m grateful for the support from my family and his school in partnering with me to raise him.
What advise do you have for mothers who might be dealing with the same thing
after a child is born as a parent you will have set of hopes for them but for some of us unfortunatey chances are very minimal . Advise for parent raising a child with autism specrum ;seek help, talk to someone in a similiar situation and stop being in denial . Above all love your child and dont compare him /her to others because she / he is special on his own way .
By
Khanyisile Maseko