Help, confused

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I have 2 boy's with autism. I also have a lot of questions. I need answers please. I have 6 children, my 8yr old and 5yr old have been diagnosed with moderate autism. I've been living with autism for 6yrs, since Bowen was diagnosed at age 2. You would think I would have all my questions answered by now with the countless hours of googling but I only find for every answer comes a 100 more questions.

My new concern. Bowen is 8 and he is in a mainstream classroom. I refuse to let him be just locked up in some classroom somewhere where he is just sitting there and basically being babysitted. The school sysytem tried to do that but I fought for him and boy hasn't he shocked the system. He does things that the professionals said he couldn't do. So much for being a proffessional. He is so smart and amazing as is his younger brother Brady.

My question I face now as Bowen is getting older, do I tell him he has autism? Do I tell him he's different? I can tell he wonders sometimes when he see's other children playing why he seems different? What is the best way to approach this? Should I wait for him to ask me questions?

Sometimes I wish I could be more like them. They have such a love for life. I especially love how they will tell you what is on their minds and it's a geniune honest opinion, they don't hold back simply to avoid hurting your feelings. They are truthful and honest. I'm not out to try and change my boys or make them something they are not. I even get made when there is so much talk about finding a cure for autism. Maybe they don't want to be cured. I have four "normal"(I hate that word) kids. they have told me many times they love me, but when Bowen or Brady tells me it's something about where it comes from inside of them that it's so real and not just an appropiate response to my saying I love you. They say exactly what they mean.

Anyway I've rambled and back to the question. When, how and should I tell them they have autism?

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Welcome to the Wrong Planet neighborhood, KimmyD.

Welcome to WP!

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

Hi Kimmy, I wonder what part of the planet you are on? I can only tell you about what happens here.
I live in Wales, UK and I have six kids - two are autistic and both are in mainstream classes but also receive good support, so they get the best of both. Both are boys, 9 and 12. The 9yo is ahead of his group for maths and english but lacks a lot of the basic life and social skills. The 12yo is showing promise in computing. Neither of them have been told yet that they are autistic, but they will be. See, I don't know either when to tell them.
What I tell them is that they are different, and special, and most of all loved.
I check in most days, if you have any questions or want to 'talk' anytime it's cool with me.
Tom

Be proud of who you are