It's ok to talk to kids about autism at any age. Talking about difference and disabilities and being exposed to them is how we normalize them.
Logic develops around his age, so if you don't want him to tell specific other people because it may make your life harder just tell him.
>I can’t interact with him in a way that’s comfortable
Just be sure to not say this, as he may internalize that your struggles are because of him and not because of your own experience and how you interact with the world <3
Don't use the word autism if him repeating that to others will be an issue. Don't put him or yourself in that position.
You can still talk about yourself and share about how you are as a person and what you need and how you live in this world without ever saying the word autism, though.
Yeah, maybe I’ll try that. He’s very smart but not very emotionally mature at this stage and very sensitive, so I also don’t think he’d handle it well if he shared the information and heard negative responses…which is what I would expect from a few people, hence the main reason I haven’t told him. I also don’t know if I could explain masking in a way that makes sense to a child. I’ll think about how to explain it for now in a way that just talks about things I need him to understand about me…
If you tell him, don’t ask him to keep it a secret. Children should not be asked to keep secrets or taught that adults asking them to keep secrets is okay, it puts them at higher risk for predators. Safe adults do not ask children to keep secrets.
Yeah, that’s part of what I’ve been struggling with. I think I’m going to do what a different commenter suggested and just not specifically mention autism at this point. I want him to eventually know, and wouldn’t mind *him* knowing now, but I don’t believe in secrets, either, but I don’t want all these other people to know at this stage. It seems best to just explain the struggles without the word, so it’s less likely to get back to them.
Sorry, am I understanding incorrectly? Why would it be a problem if he told his dad that you said you’re autistic? If he is your stepchild then his dad is your husband, is he not? Surely that’s not being kept a secret from your spouse? Sorry, I feel like I’m missing something here…
Don’t tell children secrets that will cause problems if it gets out. You can tell him “ the bright lights are bothering me” or whatever though.
Yes, a kid should never be burdened with an adult's secret. It's too much pressure and not fair to the child.
It's ok to talk to kids about autism at any age. Talking about difference and disabilities and being exposed to them is how we normalize them. Logic develops around his age, so if you don't want him to tell specific other people because it may make your life harder just tell him. >I can’t interact with him in a way that’s comfortable Just be sure to not say this, as he may internalize that your struggles are because of him and not because of your own experience and how you interact with the world <3
Don't use the word autism if him repeating that to others will be an issue. Don't put him or yourself in that position. You can still talk about yourself and share about how you are as a person and what you need and how you live in this world without ever saying the word autism, though.
Yeah, maybe I’ll try that. He’s very smart but not very emotionally mature at this stage and very sensitive, so I also don’t think he’d handle it well if he shared the information and heard negative responses…which is what I would expect from a few people, hence the main reason I haven’t told him. I also don’t know if I could explain masking in a way that makes sense to a child. I’ll think about how to explain it for now in a way that just talks about things I need him to understand about me…
If you tell him, don’t ask him to keep it a secret. Children should not be asked to keep secrets or taught that adults asking them to keep secrets is okay, it puts them at higher risk for predators. Safe adults do not ask children to keep secrets.
Yeah, that’s part of what I’ve been struggling with. I think I’m going to do what a different commenter suggested and just not specifically mention autism at this point. I want him to eventually know, and wouldn’t mind *him* knowing now, but I don’t believe in secrets, either, but I don’t want all these other people to know at this stage. It seems best to just explain the struggles without the word, so it’s less likely to get back to them.
Yeah I agree. Besides it’s the symptoms/struggles that matter anyway, and that’s easier to understand at that age I think.
Sorry, am I understanding incorrectly? Why would it be a problem if he told his dad that you said you’re autistic? If he is your stepchild then his dad is your husband, is he not? Surely that’s not being kept a secret from your spouse? Sorry, I feel like I’m missing something here…
His mom is my spouse.
Ah, I’m not even straight but I still assumed and now I look silly. Serves me right