The news that a child in the family is autistic is most often met with a number of reactions. While all family members, even extended, would be supportive in an ideal world, the sad truth is that many are disgusted or disappointed. Does a family member scold the autistic child often? Does he or she look at your autistic child unfairly? Does this family member insist on treating your autistic child the same way he or she treats all the other children in your family, even when it is inappropriate? These are signs that this relative is not receptive to either your autistic child or the situation. This may often be the case when discovering a child is autistic, so as a parent, be aware and prepared for this to happen.
Often, unreceptive relatives simply do not understand what autism is or what it means for your child and your immediate family. Though many see autism as a mental retardation, many autistic children and adults are highly intelligent; they are just unable to communicate this in the same ways that others would. Try explaining what autism means to this family member, and have him or her spend some time with you and your autistic child. Allow them to see the effects of autism and the methods you can use to cope.
If the family member continues to be unsupportive or refuses your explanation, ask why this family member is so unreceptive to the situation. Are they scared of hurting the child? Are they worried about the added responsibility when spending time with the child? Perhaps they feel guilty or are embarrassed. If you can pinpoint why a family member is unreceptive, you can better address the issue and hopefully help him or her overcome their original perceptions.
Perhaps no amount of talking or spending time together will help this family member overcome their prejudice. If this person has stubbornly made up his or her mind, you will never be able to show him or her how beautiful your son or daughter is-autism and all. If this is the case, eliminating this person from your life may be difficult, but it will also rid you and your child of this family member's negative energy and personality. In this developing situation, you need the best positive support available. Remember that other family members have been supportive; that your children are adjusting well and are a source of strength for you. Strengthen your support network by participating in parent support groups for autistic children. And remember that you can surround yourself with those who do accept and love your child-family or not.
Latest Mental Health Articles
Migraine Headache Treatments
By: nlwest21 | 12/10/2008
Many of us have difficulty bearing the pain that comes with migraine headaches. It is time to work with your doctor to alleviate that pain.
‘burn-out’ - the Anatomy of a Breakdown
By: PETER FREDERICK | 12/10/2008
We have illustrated now one case of burnout syndrome and if we identify the signals at their early stage, it will be possible, with correct medical treatment and change of life-style, to avoid this terrible breakdown!
How to Return a Larger Pennis for Men
By: Dating Fish | 12/10/2008
Most men like to have a larger penis before having sex with their partners. In order to get a bigger penis or larger penis, you have to read the following steps. It does not matter you have a tiny or small penis, you all can make your penis bigger in size. Not all the men had been born hung like bulls, which is sad a enough fact for the majority among us the average types.
Traumatic Stress - Part Ii: the Container
By: Sarah Jenkins | 11/10/2008
To keep the memories of abusive experiences aside, some lock their emotions, thoughts, and experiences away. Some describe their disturbing memories as if they are in a file folder, hard drive, cabinet, on a shelf, or out of the body. For others, the “containers” are described as being hidden from view, out of sight, maybe out of mind. Despite being sealed shut by these distractions, each container wants to be unopened, despite the person’s fear of opening them.
Traumatic Stress - Part I: the Doors of Perception
By: Sarah Jenkins | 11/10/2008
No one ever told her that the memories would come back to haunt her. Time had tucked it all away when no one believed her about the abuse. Drugs and alcohol were the only things that listened. They believed in her.
From the Inside Out: the Shadow
By: Sarah Jenkins | 11/10/2008
As the year has come to a close, I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on the experiences, lessons, and even challenges that it brought. Like a tide washing over the beach, in and back out again, the year came and went. It left, just as quickly as it came, but not without exquisite shells in its wake.
Negative Beliefs: our Adventures in Wonderland
By: Sarah Jenkins | 11/10/2008
How many times have you just “known” that something was not good for you, and you did it anyway? How many times have you said to yourself “this time it will be different” or “I won’t do that again,” to find yourself doing the very thing you don’t want to, yet again. Why do we do this to ourselves, even though we want something different?
A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: the Trauma Underlying Addiction
By: Sarah Jenkins | 11/10/2008
Sit down, and let me tell you a story, a fable that tells of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It is a fable, written by Aesop, that you may be curious to learn, and can tell us of addiction’s common deceptions. Perhaps you will find the lesson in the beginning, or even at the end, but you will be curious about what you will soon learn, as you read on.
More from Jonathan Sullivan
What are the Symptoms of Autism
By: Jonathan Sullivan | 12/08/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
The symptoms of autism are hard to define because each autistic child is unique in their own way. Not only are the symptoms individualized but the severity of the disorder also differs from child to child. One child might have mild autism and be able to function normally at home or in the classroom. The only
What are the Speech and Communication Problems of Autism
By: Jonathan Sullivan | 12/08/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Autism affects the speech and communication to some degree of all autistic people. The communication varies and is usually contributed to the actual mental of the brain to translate the communication and what social development the child has had. If parents of an autistic child learn and practice methods that
What are the Factors That Contribute to Autism
By: Jonathan Sullivan | 12/08/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Autism is a mystery for most health care professionals. They have found no one clear cause for autism though there are several factors that are common throughout the research. The most common is that autistic sufferers have abnormalities in their brain. When compared to non-autistic people, autistic brains
Toilet Training the Autistic Child
By: Jonathan Sullivan | 12/08/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Toilet training any toddler can be an adventuresome and tiring ordeal. There are many methods that have hit the markets lately and these methods can range anywhere between diapers that change color when wet to musical toilets that reward the child with music when they use the potty. This task is more difficult
The Fixation Behavior of an Autistic Child
By: Jonathan Sullivan | 12/08/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Fixation is a common characteristic in the behavior of an autistic child. The child may be fixated on a book, a picture, a person, maps, music, numbers, or a movie. Whatever the fixation, the high functioning autistic child will become a resident expert on the subject. They will memorize and will be able to
The Difference Between Asperger's Syndrome and Autism
By: Jonathan Sullivan | 12/08/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
According to the DSM-IV classifications asperger's syndrome and autism are two separate disorders. There is debate however because aspergers and autism exhibit some of the same symptoms. The argument is that aspergers is a form an autism and should not be listed as a separate entity when diagnosing the
The Cause of Autism Might be Found in Autistic Mice
By: Jonathan Sullivan | 12/08/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
About ninety out of every ten thousand person born in the United States will have a diagnosis of autism before they are three years old. Boys will have a significantly higher chance of contracting these horrible disorders than will girls. The causes of autism have not been determined as of yet, but
The Autism Society of America
By: Jonathan Sullivan | 12/08/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
The Autism Society of America or ASA is an organization that encompasses an army of volunteers that staff a website that provides information on autism and collects donations for research and other positive autism outlets. The ASA has not only vowed to help in the education, advocacy, and treatment of autistic
Health 
