Thank you so much, Charles. I took your advice and started with what I wrote about in my project post earlier in the week. Then it rolled out from there. It's totally different than the original set of letters - but it feels more solid.
I'm not a parent. I'm a white cis-hetero male Autistic adult that only accepted I'm autistic in my 50's. I never had a chance to speak with my own parents about these things, as they died before that acceptance.
Your letter writing may be to other mothers, but I suspect your sons will learn much from them as they get older.
I was confused by the controvercies within the community. I recently read "I Will Die On This Hill: Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World" by Meghan Ashburn and Jules Edwards.
Thank you so much, Russell. I'm glad you're here! Your story moved me because I think you're right...my boys will someone read these letters...and I hope they can feel how much love I have for them in my heart. Thank you for the link - I'm going to check that out for sure. I also am coming to terms as an adult (40s) with my Autism-ness. I think there are many (many) of us. It's good to be together.
Are your own parents still around? If so, how has that conversation gone?
There are interesting intergenerational conversations to be had.
I wish more resources were being put into understanding the hereditary nature of neurodivergences. I've lived under the Dominion of Canada since birth, and there is so much stigma against discussing mental diversity and/or mental health. (British North American colonialism has a lot of puritanical thinking embedded). I suspect it would have been very hard for my parents to open up about anything related to neurodivergences.
I don't know much about culture within Turkey. I've watched some dramas on Netflix (Including DiriliΕ: ErtuΔrul, and The Protector (Turkish: Hakan: MuhafΔ±z)), but that doesn't tell me anything about how mental diversity and/or mental health discussions are treated.
Take care! I finally accepted I'm Autistic as part of burnout. I hope you have the supports to both be learning more about your children as well as yourself at the same time. There are many of us out here -- I'm so glad to have found others online who are willing to speak openly in ways that would not have been available to any of us in previous decades.
Hi Russell, This is a great question. My family is full of creative people and many of us are neurodivergent. My parents are both artists and have talked openly with me about topics outside the "mainstream." I'm so fortunate in that way. My dad's a poet and has an incredible memory. He lives alone in a cabin away from society...I would imagine he would be diagnosed Autistic if he were of my sons' generation. I write about his art and poetry on American Bardic Poet - you may be interested in his particular art form. I'd love to know what you think. https://americanbardicpoet.substack.com/
Thank you, Connie. This means so much - it all stems from my love for them. I was hesitant to start writing - working on this project again...but I'm grateful it's flowing out now.
This is thoughtful and emotionally resonant at the same time. Very interesting.
Thank you so much, Charles. I took your advice and started with what I wrote about in my project post earlier in the week. Then it rolled out from there. It's totally different than the original set of letters - but it feels more solid.
Thank you for your letter!
I'm not a parent. I'm a white cis-hetero male Autistic adult that only accepted I'm autistic in my 50's. I never had a chance to speak with my own parents about these things, as they died before that acceptance.
Your letter writing may be to other mothers, but I suspect your sons will learn much from them as they get older.
I was confused by the controvercies within the community. I recently read "I Will Die On This Hill: Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World" by Meghan Ashburn and Jules Edwards.
This helped me understand the dynamic better.
https://mcormond.blogspot.com/2024/07/autistic-adults-and-parents.html
Hope this helps.
Thank you so much, Russell. I'm glad you're here! Your story moved me because I think you're right...my boys will someone read these letters...and I hope they can feel how much love I have for them in my heart. Thank you for the link - I'm going to check that out for sure. I also am coming to terms as an adult (40s) with my Autism-ness. I think there are many (many) of us. It's good to be together.
If this is too personal, just ignore.
Are your own parents still around? If so, how has that conversation gone?
There are interesting intergenerational conversations to be had.
I wish more resources were being put into understanding the hereditary nature of neurodivergences. I've lived under the Dominion of Canada since birth, and there is so much stigma against discussing mental diversity and/or mental health. (British North American colonialism has a lot of puritanical thinking embedded). I suspect it would have been very hard for my parents to open up about anything related to neurodivergences.
I don't know much about culture within Turkey. I've watched some dramas on Netflix (Including DiriliΕ: ErtuΔrul, and The Protector (Turkish: Hakan: MuhafΔ±z)), but that doesn't tell me anything about how mental diversity and/or mental health discussions are treated.
Take care! I finally accepted I'm Autistic as part of burnout. I hope you have the supports to both be learning more about your children as well as yourself at the same time. There are many of us out here -- I'm so glad to have found others online who are willing to speak openly in ways that would not have been available to any of us in previous decades.
Hi Russell, This is a great question. My family is full of creative people and many of us are neurodivergent. My parents are both artists and have talked openly with me about topics outside the "mainstream." I'm so fortunate in that way. My dad's a poet and has an incredible memory. He lives alone in a cabin away from society...I would imagine he would be diagnosed Autistic if he were of my sons' generation. I write about his art and poetry on American Bardic Poet - you may be interested in his particular art form. I'd love to know what you think. https://americanbardicpoet.substack.com/
Emily, this is a beautiful letter. I feel your love for your boys with every sentence. β€οΈ
Thank you, Connie. This means so much - it all stems from my love for them. I was hesitant to start writing - working on this project again...but I'm grateful it's flowing out now.