Have any Parents done this?

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"Are you sure you're not Autistic?" My dad said this.

When I thought I was Artistic when I drew a picture I was proud of, it mad eme feel embarrassed.

Are there any Parents that constantly tell their kids They have a Learning Disability? Regardless if their kids think they are doing well in Life or have the potential to do well in LIfe?

My dad also told me there is nothing wrong with being Average.

So why do I feel bad about this?

I don't think anybody wants to think of themselves as being average, and if you think about it, nobody is average in every aspect of their life -- each individual excels in SOMETHING. I am average in my math ability, but I excel at some social skills (when I feel like it). You may be average at science skills, but have perfect pitch!

At some point, if we can, we may make the decision to quiet the negative things that we have heard over all the years of our growing up period, and choose to highlight the things that we KNOW we do well.

Sometimes I think parents have issues in THEIR background that prevent them from giving their children what the CHILD needs. Many parents that cannot be supportive of their children may have their own problems, that we don't know about, that prevent them from being the parent that we think they should be.

Kris

my son and I were discussing Asperger's the other day. He's recently been told that it's what makes him different and special. He's excellent at math and science, but struggles with English and grammar.
I'd say play to your strengths! If you enjoy drawing, do take pride in your work. Express yourself through your art, and if you're the only one that understands right now how you feel, that can be lonely, make your sketch pad your friend. If you're good at writing, turn a notebook into a trusted confidant.
There are others here with you

there's a couple of ways to look at this.....alot depends on tone of voice~ your dad could have meant to say that there is nothing wrong with being who you are. that you are ok just because you are you. that you don't need to be perfect at everything.
...............on the other hand, he could have meant to belittle you. I am hoping that this is not the case. I would not ever constantly remind my children about their shortcomings~ that's the sort of family I grew up in ( constantly being told how much i stunk at everything)...........
In either case, you need to remember that you are wonderful just because you are you. Like everyone else in the world, you have things you are great at and things you need to work on. Give yourself praise. Give yourself a break. Give yourself a hug !

I agree. AS is good, if we use our qualities, and make a living from them... be it fine arts or rocket science...

Never be embarrassed by trying to do something well. I have told my Aspie son on numerous occasions that he is having an Asperger's moment. I have also told him that if I ever hurt his feelings when I say it-it wasn't meant that way and I won't do it again if he says so.

Some parents don't want their children to be "different" (we're all different), because of all the problems with society and how they look at differences. We have for years told everyone they need to act a certain way or dress a certain way and it has had a very bad effect on what people believe. We should stop, now (but I really don't know how!! !)

Do what you can with what you've got, forget the rest!!