Just my side. Bits of odd conversations.
. . .
Yes, Autism.
Yeah, the psychologist is pretty sure it's Autism.
Not everyone with Autism has problems making eye contact. My boys never had that issue, and so our doctors never really wanted to send them for evals.
9 doctors.
Yeah, umm, 9 doctors and specialists over three years for my older son; 3 doctors over about 10 months for our middle boy.
No, that was just to get referred for Autism evaluations.
Yes, two of our boys.
No, (popular and very busy therapy center) never called us back, so we sought private evaluations.
Oh, four children. One girl, three boys. Well, four boys by Christmas.
Yes, we have a television.
. . .
Thanks, I think they're pretty cute, too.
Yes, they're all mine.
Yes, they all have the same father.
We're married.
14 years.
We met when we were 17.
No, actually, I don't count him among my children . . .
. . .
No, he has Autism.
Autism.
No, there aren't physical characteristics like there are with Down Syndrome.
Yes, I've seen Rain Man. My life is nothing like that.
Yes, I've heard of Temple Grandin.
No. I have no intentions of teaching him to count cards.
. . .
Yes, I've spanked him before thank you, and no it doesn't do anything productive.
No, I HAVE spanked him.
Autism and sensory processing disorder.
Sensory. Processing. Disorder. It's a disorder: it's not contagious.
You can leave the store too, ya know . . .
. . .
Thanks, but they can't eat that.
It gives him hives.
No, allergy testing was actually negative.
Well, I *could* give him Benadryl for the hives, but that doesn't help the digestive distress, painful bloating, gas, and diarrhea. We're okay with limiting their diet.
No, I'm certain they can't have any.
Yes, diarrhea from (insert any number of offending foods).
It is a lot of work, but it keeps them healthy. Besides, we know what's in their food when we make it ourselves. Homemade is cheaper, too.
Doctors don't generally give allergy shots without an allergy.
Two allergists.
Yeah, testing was negative.
Yes, he's still in a diaper.
It would be nice to be able to order pizza, but the fallout from that lasts a couple weeks at least.
Umm, aside from the diarrhea and hives? Tantrums, headaches, stomach pain, nightmares, swelling in hands and face, rashes, night sweats.
Almost 5 years old.
Well, no, if he was toilet trained I wouldn't keep him in a diaper.
Autism.
Yes, I've seen Rain Man.
. . .
Sorry, this is what Autism looks like sometimes.
We can wait if you want to go ahead, it's fine.
. . .
