Autism,ADHD,Bi-Polarism | ADHD Information

I am the father of a 14 year old autistic son. My son was diagnosed at the age of 4. I am a single father who raised and still am,4 children. I had to post this messege becuase it really bothered the Hell out of me.

One day I was in a grocery store with my son going down an aisle when I met a woman who had her son. She was talking to her friend and began to say the following I quote:"You know my son has ADHD its the worst,Autism is so overated." I was so stunned I couldnt speak. These unfortunate disabilities our children and adults face every day of their lives arent in a competition to see or determine a status symbol. They are merely trying to cope and exist.

So for those of you out there who think having a child with a disability is prestige status and depending on what the disability determines how high up the rung you are.Your sick and dont deserve the blessings. I have been struggling every day since I lost my job and wonder sometimes what Im going to do,but when my little guy looks at me the way he does,all is well in the universe. I hope everyone who has someone they love with a disability will realize we are all dealing and coping and living with a challenge and Gods special blessing that was given to us,not a pet we flaunt or display or compete on the disability chain to see which is the most severe, then leave the responsibilities with someone else. I hope I didnt offend anyone except the ones who know what Im talking about. I wish everyone out there who struggle every day to just stop one day and really look at your love one and truly see how much of a beautiful gift they really are.

Dear Fallengabriel,

I agree. I will just add this, though. Before my son was actually dx'd with ADHD, I used to wish he had a diagnosis just so that people would cut him some slack. I knew his brain didn't run on the typical pathways, but I never saw it as a negative, just different. It would drive me crazy when others were sooooo judgmental of his behaviors. They either loved him or hated him. There was no middle ground. I wanted to tear my hair out.

I was under the impression that a lot of children who are diagnoses with ADHD could just as easily fit into other spectrum disorders. Would it help that woman to change the label she has attached to her child? It seems to me that a lot of the behaviors are similar. How difficult it is to deal with is different for each parent/child relationship.

Just a little anecdote that I hope makes you smile. When out in public, my son with ADHD always introduces his little brother and says, "He doesn't talk yet because he has autism." In reality, he has Down syndrome, but the only other kid my son knows who is 4yo and doesn't talk yet has autism, so he assumed that is the reason his little brother doesn't talk, either. Even kids can make broad generalizations without knowing what they're talking about, LOL!

That comment by the woman in the market is extremely ingnorant. The comment really knocked me over. It really makes me sad. I actually have tears in my eyes after reading your post.

I wonder if she ever takes the time to actually help her adhd son. I feel bad for her child. I also wouldn't be discussing it in the middle of a super market. I know my son would be so embarassed. He doesn't like anyone knowing.

Your children are blessed to have you as a dad. I wish you all the best in the world and hope you come back here and join in with the conversations.