Vikie Shanks: What Every "Autism Parent" Should Strive to Be

Post Reply New Topic

This woman is amazing. She single-handedly raised seven children, six of whom are autistic. She believes that her (deceased) husband was likely on the spectrum, and she has a sibling who is as well. Despite everything she and her children have been through, they have such a positive outlook on life. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy just knowing that there are NT parents out there who never give up despite the struggles, and are able to raise their children into happy, independent* adults. Vikie embodies what I wish all "autism parents" could be: loving her children for who they are and helping them through their struggles without trying to turn them into the "normal" child many parents wish they could have. In essence she's the British Jason Lu / eikonabridge.

*obviously some of us autistics will never be able to be fully independent, but still deserve to lead happy, comfortable lives regardless of how independent they're able to be!

Here's Vikie's TEDx Talk about why she is very against the "cure" mentality:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xts1F-PoUNA

and a link to her (very infrequently updated) YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgYmBi ... 3H4XTTI6sA

That woman is such a Sweet Pea. I love her.

What every parent should strive to be.