Hello all,
I have a 10 year old son who was diagnosed with Mild Autism about 2 or 3 years ago. He also has Sensory Integration Dysfunction and is affected by many other medical problems. He has had 12 surgeries in his little 10 year old life. Most were for ear tubes(5 to be exact), eye muscle surgery and a TNA (which landed him in hospital for 7 days). Most recently he had surgery on his hip to correct a condition called Perthes Disease, had to be casted for 6 weeks last summer and then had a plate in his hip for 7 months. He has had a rough life but I am worried that as he gets into puberty he will have even more problems than he has now. He has trouble socially, not a lot of friends, hangs on me all the time and has uncontroled fits at times over being told NO. I don't know if I should talk to a therapist or what? I would like to be in a support Group for parents of children with Autism. Do any of you out there know of any support groups in the Metro Denver area? If so please let me know as I am really beginning to worry what the future has in store for me, my son and my husband as our son goes into those rebellious teen years. I fear I will not be able to control him than.:confused:

No, you won't be able to control him. No parent can fully control a teenage child.

But the alternative--teaching him to control himself--is possible. It's the whole point of the teen years: Teaching him to do for himself what you've been doing for him.

A counselor or therapist--someone who is familiar with autism and has treated other autistic folks--would be very good for you and your son. The things he will need to learn over the next few years can be taught; and a counselor who knows about autism and is used to interacting with people who have it can help you teach him.

Parents' groups can be good--they expand your resources, give you more information, and allow you to work together to exchange services like babysitting.

Isn’t it a pain in the butt to not know the future!!!
I do agree that a professional psychologist would benefit greatly. They deal with all types of children daily. Other parents are great resources are just as important. It’s the parents who live day and night and know the tried and true tricks of the trade.
I personally believe if your child can hear he’s listening. Even when he is blocking you out and throwing a fit if you say the right things and show him what a good person is through exampling it your self that is the best you can do.

Positive and bad role models are everywhere. Movies, games and books can be really good or really bad.
I know of a man who grew up in a very violent and mentally abusive home, but yet he grew up with the best morals and gentle way of life. I never understood it until I noticed he loved to read old western books. He tuned out his family life and absorbed himself in old western books where the good strong hero was always helpful, honest, and respectful. That was a positive enough role model to guide him the right direction.

I feel like I totally just babbled, but my thoughts anyway!
:wave: Brandi