Am I being overly sensitive ? - Autism Spectrum Message Board

TCoughlan · 02-07-2005, 09:27 AM

Hi all,
Just looking for the opinion amongst us with diagnosed children. I have a close friend that is an extremely intelligent and caring person. Last night at a superbowl party she did something ditzy ( it was so insignificant that I cant recall what it was) and she made the comment " Just call me your special friend" in a goofy sort of tone. This immediately bothered me and I said " whats wrong with having a special friend ? " she ignored the comment and I let it go to avoid confrontation around a group of people. My other friends said to let it go that she didnt mean anything by it, but it bothers me thinking that my my friends that know me and my son, think that "special" people are stupid. Am I being overly sensitive. Its been a rough couple of weeks, there are some questions as to if my daughter is showing signs of being on the spectrum, so I have been testy with people, and feeling like I did 18 months ago when we were first dx'd. Not sure if its just me or a combo of things. Thaks in advance for the feedback

sarahrose · 02-07-2005, 10:39 AM

That word "special" used to bug me too, but after hearing it for 3 years, I just kind of let it go. You'll get used to it, and some of the other dumb things that seem to just float out of peoples mouths.

grace19 · 02-07-2005, 11:05 AM

It sounds like you have a lot of stress in your life right now and the words your friend said just added to the stress. So I think anybody in your situation might react the same way you did last night.

I have a very close friend that does the same thing. She says dumb things without thinking before she speaks. The first few times she did this I was really hurt by it not because of the words she said but because she was such a close friend almost like a family member. She's just a blunt person!
Don't let it get you down. Hang in there.

Annee · 02-07-2005, 11:06 AM

I remember a few years back when people would make fun of one another by asking, "When you were a kid, did you ride the big bus or the little bus?" Ha. Ha. Well, the little bus made it's way to my house every school day for many years, and I never found anything funny about it.
I think the best we can do is point out to people that they're being hurtful. Maybe we can be an influence now, so that the world will be kinder to our children in the future. As for the anger, I think we all make remarks without thinking. And if you think back far enough, you may recall something you accidentally said that hurt someone. We're only human.

grace19 · 02-07-2005, 11:19 AM

good point Anee! We all say hurtful things sometimes. Some people do it more often than others.