Got diagnosed with ASD, mother wont talk too me.
TimS1980
Pileated woodpecker
Joined: 20 Jan 2018
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Posts: 194
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Sometimes the prevailing stigma has a big impact, it sounds to me like you are experiencing this now.
Your mum is probably carrying around a lot of ideas that will turn out be wrong, upon learning and reflection, assuming she gets that far.
First build up your own confidence and self-understanding. Consume from the good sources of information, and see if she comes around given that space.
Before you get too far along on your own learning journey, try to bring her along and close the knowledge gap. She may struggle to catch up if the gap gets too wide. It might be good to call on help from anyone else she knows/respects who is on the spectrum.
There may be questions of genetics, that's very risky to delve into right now, just steer clear of it.
Finally, recognize you can't dictate to anyone what sort of person they will be, and likewise noone should dictate to you. If she won't come around, don't let her hold you back.
She is clearly troubled. Any parent who has the awareness and resources, would help their child or at least communicate their concerns. Too many are lacking these. I hope she is digesting this herself as best she can, finds support for herself and then can support you. If not, well, I hope you have other supports in place and can realize it's not you, it's her.
Referring to the airplane pitch: If she can't put on her own oxygen mask, she can't very well help you while she's suffocating.
It's ironic that the parent who emotionally abused me was my ASD parent (who had been abused in her childhood). She could not regulate her own emotions, so insisted that I suppress all negativity, rather than helping me regulate my own emotions or help me find resources. She said everything was in my head and completely within my control ---- wrong! She was incapable of comfort. So opted for denial (as OP suggested). If we don't acknowledge it, it will go away. Sure, and show up as depression, anxiety, or illness - Thanks a lot. I acknowledge that it was the best she could do. She cannot acknowledge that it was awful for me. On the other hand, I am able to do this for my children (acknowledge my mistakes, acknowledge my strengths and weaknesses, acknowledge the positive or negative impact on them). Ironically just last night my daughter said "you're not listening to me!! !!" when I wasn't responded to her during her crisis. I apologized and explained what was going on for me. I was having difficulties regulating so I was trying to fix something to "make it stop" but it wasn't getting fixed and the idea of comforting her any other way than fixing hadn't occur to me.
So perhaps your mom doesn't know what to "fix" this and is at a loss. Is this typical for her, or unusual? If unusual, I hope she's through it soon. If typical, BTDT and I'm sorry.
Referring to the airplane pitch: If she can't put on her own oxygen mask, she can't very well help you while she's suffocating.
It's ironic that the parent who emotionally abused me was my ASD parent (who had been abused in her childhood). She could not regulate her own emotions, so insisted that I suppress all negativity, rather than helping me regulate my own emotions or help me find resources. She said everything was in my head and completely within my control ---- wrong! She was incapable of comfort. So opted for denial (as OP suggested). If we don't acknowledge it, it will go away. Sure, and show up as depression, anxiety, or illness - Thanks a lot. I acknowledge that it was the best she could do. She cannot acknowledge that it was awful for me. On the other hand, I am able to do this for my children (acknowledge my mistakes, acknowledge my strengths and weaknesses, acknowledge the positive or negative impact on them). Ironically just last night my daughter said "you're not listening to me!! ! !" when I wasn't responded to her during her crisis. I apologized and explained what was going on for me. I was having difficulties regulating so I was trying to fix something to "make it stop" but it wasn't getting fixed and the idea of comforting her any other way than fixing hadn't occur to me.
So perhaps your mom doesn't know what to "fix" this and is at a loss. Is this typical for her, or unusual? If unusual, I hope she's through it soon. If typical, BTDT and I'm sorry.
That is powerful insight. Thank you for sharing. I often didn't understand why people treat people with autism or any other neurological disorder differently. It makes sense though, especially if you're the parent, to immediately want to fix the issue. Autism isn't something that can be fixed. That's why a lot of people are against wearing blue on Autism Awareness Month: because the organizations that promote wearing blue are the same ones who want to "fix" autistic people and make them "normal" which can be very traumatic. I'm not saying your mom is wanting to fix you, but maybe she just doesn't understand how to handle the news. It might be a shock to her. Give her time, provide her some resources, and in the meantime seek comfort and support from other friends and family. You deserve a support system, as does she. It can be hard for everyone, especially if they don't understand what a diagnosis means for you and for them.
_________________
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Buddha
"It takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!" -Alice in Wonderland
"I know that I know nothing." -Socrates
Diagnosed with ADHD, general anxiety disorder, chronic severe depression. In the process of obtaining an ASD diagnosis.
AQ from Psychology Tools: 45
It is unlikely that any of us know you or your mother personally, so any assumptions on our part could be wrong.
_________________
The mere fact that science may not yet adequately explain an object, event, or experience does not mean the immediate explanation should automatically default to a conspiratorial, extraterrestrial, paranormal, or supernatural cause.
It is unlikely that any of us know you or your mother personally, so any assumptions on our part could be wrong.
I agree with Fnord. The only way to know and to get through this together is to talk. Below is a link to a resource that might help her. It's for parents of individuals who are newly diagnosed. Sections include: It's not your fault, You are not alone, Educating yourself, ASD support and advocacy groups, Becoming your child's advocate, Caring for yourself, Being part of the long-term solution, and additional resources.
https://iancommunity.org/cs/newly_diagnosed
I hope this helps.
_________________
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Buddha
"It takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!" -Alice in Wonderland
"I know that I know nothing." -Socrates
Diagnosed with ADHD, general anxiety disorder, chronic severe depression. In the process of obtaining an ASD diagnosis.
AQ from Psychology Tools: 45
Dear_one
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Joined: 2 Feb 2008
Age: 77
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,721
Location: Where the Great Plains meet the Northern Pines
It is unlikely that any of us know you or your mother personally, so any assumptions on our part could be wrong.
I got ASD through my mother, who had issues with her parents. She was the kind who could claim that she was the only person in a parade to be in step, so she always rejected any hints that she was not the normal one. My NT sister worked on her until she died and never got a normal parental reaction. Now I know why I used to listen to "Motherless Children" by Steve Miller.
There is also a basic 10% chance that your bio-father is not the one listed on your papers, and women are dedicated to hiding any evidence on that.
Dear_one
Veteran
Joined: 2 Feb 2008
Age: 77
Gender: Male
Posts: 5,721
Location: Where the Great Plains meet the Northern Pines
It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself and if it's possible try to find another source of emotional support..
As a male, your odds of getting emotional support are quite low. I went to meetings of Adult Children from Dysfunctional Families, now known as Adult Children Anon, and that helped.
My dad did that (decades ago)! Very helpful for him. Glad to here it's around elsewhere and helpful to others.
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