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I’m glad you’re listening to the Turn Autism Around podcast. I’m interviewing a very gung-ho grandmother today as we we talk about autism and grandparents. Grandma Diane and her daughter noticed that Jude wasn’t hitting the developmental milestones as expected. Our guest, Diane, joined our member community in February to take my online course. Her grandson was diagnosed shortly thereafter and she was prepared.
Diane lives in Pennsylvania and pushed for an evaluation of grandson, Jude. The evaluation was provided by the county where she lives and the county immediately assigned a speech therapist for him. The speech therapist was the first to bring up the word, autism.
Diane’s daughter is a single mom, and Diane keeps Jude three days a week. Even though Jude got a relatively early diagnosis (28 months), it took a year to get it. The pediatrician was not in agreement with the family’s concern at first and didn’t arrange for testing right away. Diane ended up contacting the county herself.
According to Autism Speaks, grandparents who work with their adult children to help with an autistic child have gotten closer to their children. Many grandparents and their adult children combine households or relocate to be closer to each other.
Diane and her husband are looking for a larger house with Jude in mind, but her daughter is not planning on moving in. There are lots of overnights with Jude that their current living situation doesn’t accommodate well.
Diane learned about the Turn Autism Around (TAA) community from a friend the same day she had the ‘truth talk’ with the county’s speech pathologist. “My friend had done all the searching and comparisons of information, and I got the benefit.”
When Diane joined TAA, Jude was 22 months old and had no words. She watched modules 1 through 4 three times before she did anything else. She’s also read numerous books on autism to broaden her understanding. “These courses work and can even be used by professionals for continuing education.”
Jude is now imitating his peers, he no longer runs ahead of Diane, he’s now speaking in sentences, and he had swimming lessons this summer. He’s able to anticipate things, use contractions and more. He’s still a picky eater, which Grandma Diane is working on with him through the program.
After absorbing TAA’s courses, Diane has hope back in her life. She knows it won’t all be smooth sailing and that lots of tutors will be required over the years. She’s primarily concerned about Jude’s emotions as he gets older.
Diane calls her time with Jude her happy time. However, she has not given up the busy travel schedule she and her husband have enjoyed for a few years. Traveling brings a lot of joy to the couple and they have a lengthy bucket list.
If you know a grandparent of a child with autism, send them this autism and grandparents podcast episode!
Check out the top 10 autism resources and episodes here.
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