My mom confuses me...

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I don't know whether she believes in the possibility of me having AS or not. Whenever I bring it up or have her read a list of symptoms, all she does is ask me if it says what I should do. All she seems to care about are the effects that my traits are having on my life, not the traits themselves. She only read half of the symptoms list.
This makes me feel more and more as though she's fully disappointed in me. I thought she would have liked an explanation for the way I am, rather than continuing to believe that I'm full of errors that can be easily ironed out by "getting out more." I'm not at fault for the way I am! As for me getting help, having parents who understand and support me would be a good start.
I hate this...

Having AS doesn't mean to not work at it or else there be no treatment for dyslexia or autism or Bipolar or other disabilities.

That's not my point at all. I'd accept her sentiments if it also came with an attitude of taking my traits seriously as they are. By extension, she's giving off the impression that she doesn't take me seriously or even plans to understand me as I am.

Maybe this is her way of taking you seriously? Did you tell her what you want out of reading her the symptoms? Her asking what it says to do might be like her asking if you should get a formal diagnosis, or what should be done to help you with the symptoms. Just a thought, that's what I took from what she said.. But I don't know her and you do. Maybe telling her that her saying that doesn't help, and you need her to (insert what you need from her here) in order to help?

I think I can see where you are coming from. You want her to at least give some sympathy towards your symptoms before getting you to work on them.

My mum tends to forget what my symptoms are so I have to keep bringing them up.

There are some symptoms you can decrease but there are some that no matter what you do, things don't get better. But first it's good that people actually admit that they believe you when you say you have them.

Sounds to me like she's a "results" person.

"Never mind what it is. How do we get rid of it?"

Well, the answer is, you don't. It doesn't go away. But, you can learn to adapt, and change some of your behaviors. And, the key word is "YOU."

A lot of professionals, and parents, think the best way to deal with AS is to get kids out into social situations so they can learn and practice social skills. The probem is, a lot of Aspies are PRESSURED into these situations, and I think that is the wrong approach.

I don't have any problem with encouraging kids gently to get involved with things they're not quite comfortable yet, bit the motivation should come from them to do it, not from others. When Aspie kids go to social functions because they feel like they have to, I really think that does more damage than good.

Sounds to me like your mom wants to know what it says to do about it, because she's hoping it says to do exactly what she thinks you should already. She needs to learn more about what it really is. Forcing, cajoling and pressuring Aspie kids to get involved with social stuff they aren't ready for is, I think, a bad idea. Aspie kids need to learn and understand what AS is, and how it affects them first, then learn what they can do about it. If they know and understand HOW doing those things can help them lead a more productive, fun, and happy life, they'll be more motivated to try things, and more likely to succeed at them.

Pressure isn't bad for Aspies in and of itself. It's external pressure we don't deal well with, and that can actually exacerbate our symptoms. INTERNAL pressure, is much different though. When WE are first motivated to do something, it means we've at least been convinced within ourselves that the activity has some benefit for us. We do a hell of a lot better when the pressure comes from ourselves. We HATE pressure from others.

That makes a lot of sense, MrXxx. Thank you.