Telling your DC they have autism?

lolacake

I haven't been on here for a while, but I'm slightly panicking about handling this situation the right way.

My 5 year-old-DD has autism and she's pretty high-functioning. We've been really open with her typical twin brother (although I'm feeling now this was a mistake on our part). Today I overheard her telling him that her cousin (also 5) told her she has autism. I casually asked her how she replied, and she answered, "I said i know.". I waited until we were alone and quiet about an hour later and broached the subject again.

I asked what she thought 'autism' means and she said it means she needs to wear glasses (!). I told her that actually it means when a person's brain works a little differently than another persons. She then asked me how to spell brain, so that was the end of the convo.

What do I do now? I don't want to tell my niece not to talk about it because it will feel like we are ashamed or its a bad thing. I don't want to talk to DD about it more until she's ready, but do NOT want her getting info from anyone but us.  I REALLY did not think I'd need to be worrying about this for another few years.

 

thanks for any help....

 

lite-bright

I think you have to accept that the cat's out of the bag as far as the niece and possibly your son as well. You have little or no control over who they tell or don't tell, and I think you're right that you don't want to send the message that this is so

malcivar

-auntie-:

lite-brig