Any positive ASD stories?

[Newsenmum]

There have been a few threads recently of difficult partners/children with ASD and I’m not disputing this at all (I’ve posted my own in the past!) but I would love a purely positive thread here. Does anyone have a loved one eg married to someone or has a grown up child who has ASD and is thriving or just generally happy or lovely?

Let’s have a nice uplifting thread please :)

I’m autistic, married three children if that helps

That’s great! I hope you feel like you’ve had a good life. It can feel awful to read so much negativity.

DC was doing well at school, despite the school not believing the dx or making any adjustments. Then it all got too much and we ended up home edding for 2.5 yrs. Transitioned into a mainstream secondary and had a fab start - they even took dc on a trip to Europe! Mental health difficulties a few years later meant there were periods of suicidal ideation and an OD at one point. We have come through it much stronger and now they are about to start studying medicine at a top uni! They are doing fabulous! Top grades whilst working part time, and I couldn't be prouder!

Me! I am married to an ASD man. 30 years so far. We still make each other laugh, still enjoy each other's company, still share loads of interests.

ASD son is now 21. He lives with mates, has a full time job in his dream career, a partner, got a First from a good uni, has loads of friends, goes abroad with mates, plays in a band. He has had enormous hurdles to overcome due to ASD, was developmentally delayed in almost every way.

But he's done it. He's living an incredibly exciting life in a big city. He thinks he struggles but he tends to set unrealistically high standards for himself. I know so many NT young adults who still live with parents, don't have a girlfriend or much of a social life, or struggle to find work. In comparison he is flying and he is the first to admit his life is very interesting and fun.

Meant to add, they are genuinely one of my best friends and we have such a close and loving relationship. We hang out all the time, have many shared interests and I will miss them desperately when they move to uni - like my left arm has fallen off!

I’m autistic. 33yo, have a stable happy relationship and a 7yo son with ASD and ADHD, and work full time in the civil service as an SEO (so earning about £48k a year). I get overwhelmed easily but generally have a very happy life.

I have a DS with ASD. During lock down he stayed in his room
in his pants refusing to engage with the world at all. I feared he would never meet his true potential as he had made his life so small.
4 years later and he’s at Uni studying medicine, embracing all life has to offer, he has a nice group of friends and is positively thriving.

These are lovely

That's a lovely story and one I relate to. ASD children struggle hugely in teens and with social anxiety or social exclusion, as well as processing and organisation issues that make school life - especially during GCSEs so hard. I wouldn't have believed DS could come out the other side so happy and popular and thriving and brave. Nor would he. But they do. In some ways maybe stronger and more mature than NT people, as they have to carefully learn what they need in order to thrive, so they are more aware and conscientious about it.

@Newsenmum, hang in there. If you need any specific support - just ask.

Our son is 14, he has ASD with severe learning disabilities. He lives his life by routine, and is sensory seeking. He is a very happy soul, quite calm and placid, entertains himself with musical toys, bright lights and spinning seats. Yes we have all the usual battles for an appropriate education, social care support etc. But him? He's oblivious so long as he gets his Monster Munch ... 😍

DC is. He is popular and sporty

Things I used to assume nobody with ASD was (before I lived it)

Not a stealth boast, just wanted to throw out that he is blessed with a lovely social circle and not short of invites to parties etc and in sports his literal and bossiness- helps him rather than hinders with his teammates

I worried about things that actually haven't been true to him...

He burns out and gets overstimulated and has meltdowns too but I no longer assume that the popular kids are NT and mine will be alone forever

(I'm trying to say he proved my misconceptions about ASD were false)