Comments on: Autism Moms Have Stress Similar To Combat Soldiers

By: Rita

Rita — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:12:50 +0000

I am a grandmother of a 3 yr old autistic child. His mother “flew the coop” a long time ago, and my son has been full-time father and caretaker. I had him quit his job to do this as I still have to work full-time. No one else could do better, love more and nourish his child more than he.The mother is not needed in his life.

By: Rosella A. Alm

Rosella A. Alm — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 03:47:35 +0000

I am the mother of a 46 year old son with severe autism, severe intellectual disabilities, severe behavior issues, epilepsy, MRSA and many gastroenterological problems. Life as a combat soldier is a VERY MILD description of what life is for most of us. I could, and probably will write a book of the many indescribable and at times terrible and sometimes rewarding experiences I have had being a mother. I have had not only stressful days, but stressful nights as well.

By: chrissy

chrissy — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:34:55 +0000

Wow, as a single mother of a 19 year old son with pdd, cerebral palsey, autistic tendencies, adhd…. i am a soldier at war myself it is very difficult to get a job and keep one due to calls and hours of my operation (active duty). Hence the fact there is another child on an i.e.p. in the household. However it is my duty as a parent to provide for my son the best of my abilities, no blame for the absent parent that couldnt cope. I have been rewarded and will continue to serve for he is my reward to watch him grow and change and be the best he can is huge a reflection of my duties.It isnt a gender it is a fact well stated we are blessed even if we are exhausted and stressed. Bottom line we need to be educated, We need help!!

By: Cindy Montgomery

Cindy Montgomery — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:12:56 +0000

Invite a child with disabilities to your child’s next birthday party, even if you’re afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing…. Feeling like our kids belong relieves a lot of stress!

Just a thought.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:26:40 +0000

Very true but all family members, mostly mothers, experience profound stress in caring for those with ALL disabilities, not just those with autism. More supports for the caregivers and doctors are needed to acknowledge, support and implement these options, including respite care and not just roll their eyes at us if we dare to speak up for help and support.

By: Dr. Michael McManmon

Dr. Michael McManmon — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:35:38 +0000

Having worked with “Aspie moms and dads” for 37 years, I have nothing but compassion for them. I call it the “Steel Umbilical Cord” that connects them with their children, and it needs to be cut from both sides by a diamond bladed saw. Moms have had to be case-managers, social workers, psychologists, activity directors, etc for their sons and daughters. The stress is huge on each parent and between them. Parents need to take care of themselves as much as their children in order to maintain balance.

By: Val Wiggin

Val Wiggin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:31:09 +0000

I’m grateful for this research, that someone is recognizing what we go through. My husband and I are always on survival mode. It can get dark, when you realize there is no end to our battle. We don’t really get ‘leave’, (who can afford that, with autism medical/therapy draining all your expenses?) – quitting is not a viable option – we don’t get to retire – and we have to worry about setting up our children’s future for when we die – actually, we become as healthy as possible and try to live forever – because no one will love and care for our intense-special-needs kids like we do.

We love our battle, we claim our battle, and thanks for the recognition.

We get very little, outside of the media that we are gullible, emotional, and mislead by alternative medicine, etc. Thanks for this! I wish this were in headline news. I’m so used to the negative press about parents of children w/ autism, this is refreshing.

Mom of 2 children w/ severe autism, one w/ PDD, and one with developmental delays

By: Katy

Katy — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:45:17 +0000

I think this article is a bit of a “duh” moment. Parents of children with any disability would be more stressed than parents of children with no disability. That’s a given. But, it cuts to the heart of the matter, we need support, even if it’s just being there to talk when we call. We have children with Autism and the stress is so very high. I am a stay-at-home Mom. We homeschool. We have therapists that are awesome, but the brunt of the work falls on me. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I don’t want anyone else teaching or raising my children, but it’s not easy. I try not to complain as I chose to do this. I could put them in daycare and school and go back to work. I choose to stay home with them instead because my husband and I feel it’s the best for them and for us. But the stress is unimaginable. It’s all day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. And, unlike kids with no problems, we don’t know that our caregiving will end at 18 when we cry tears of joy and sadness as they drive off into the sunset for their first day at college. It could very well be one we live with for life.

By: Annie Eskeldson

Annie Eskeldson — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:15:47 +0000

Just wondering if these moms were stay-at-home moms. I have 2 children on the spectrum, I have provided all of their therapy and homeschooling. I’ve saved us a ton of money and stress from not using ‘therapists’ or the ‘system’. My children are happy, getting a first class education, and using autism to their benefit. I don’t thing anyone needs to ‘support’ our families, we need to help parents stay married, learn to budget and live on one income. This helps to increase the number of alternatives parents have should special needs arise -such as autism. I personally don’t know how parents handle the school system, all that red tape, IEP’s, abuse, being left out of teacher’s plans, etc. etc. – I’d be stressed out too. Staying at home does have it’s challenges, and I haven’t had a break in 8 years. But, my marriage is strong, my family is close, and while we have our ups and downs, overall, we’re definitely up!!

By: Debby Bateman

Debby Bateman — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:31:20 +0000

I can believe this because my Grandson has Autism and my brother was in Vietnam and my husband was in Iraq. My Daughter is always tired, she never misses work but shes worn out. She’s a nurse so that doesn’t help and she is a single mom.