How much do I share

I'm sure many parents of special needs children grapple with how much information they should share with the outside world. I have been quite protective of Amy these last few years, just sharing her diagnosis - and for many months an impending diagnosis - with those closest to us and those it was relevant to.

But now, as Amy leaves afternoon Kindy and starts morning Kindy next term, I have had to swallow my pride and go down the road of educating not just the Kindy teachers and specialists who are involved with Amy, but also the parents of the other children at Kindy.

Why do I feel I need to do this? Because I think educating others is the only way we as parents can expect others to gain an understanding into ASD. These children of ours on The Spectrum are misunderstood frequently. Because most of these children physically look like typical children, they are expected to behave the same way.

It has been my experience that three years at Playgroup in which Amy was diagnosed (yet suspected to be on The Spectrum) resulted in many misunderstandings with other parents. A lot of the autistic traits resemble outright bad behaviour. I was critised both behind my back and openly for Amy's out-of-control-behaviour.

At afternoon Kindy at least I was able to forewarn the Kindy teachers that Amy was in the process of being diagnosed. So from the start she was treated as a child on The Spectrum. I shared this information with a few parents when I felt it was appropriate.

I now think all parents of the children at Morning Kindy have a right to know there is a child with ASD starting next term. So I have asked Amy's Kindy to include this blurb in their next newsletter:

INTRODUCING AMY
My daughter Amy is starting Morning Kindy this term. Last August she was diagnosed with ASD (autism spectrum disorder). Although she is high-functioning, she has difficulty socialising with other children. She is lots of fun and enjoys playing with small groups of children but gets over-stimulated very easily.

Perceived rejection or an inability to understand the rules of a game can trigger Amy. Sometimes Amy has a very big air bubble and will react if children come into her space. She will also invade other children's space inappropriately. If she starts pushing she is communicating that she is unable to cope in a situation. If you see this going on please alert a Kindy teacher. The sooner she is distracted, the less likely the behaviour will snowball. She has a quiet corner she can go to if she needs to chill out which she has been using when required at afternoon Kindy.

Amy likes to talk and can converse with children and adults if they are able to meet her at her level. She likes talking but her conversational skills may not be on par with your child.

Although she will have a teachers aide, she will need a lot of understanding and support to continue to thrive at Kindy.

You are very welcome to chat to me personally about ASD. However if any issues should arise, please talk to one of the Kindy staff.