A few years ago, my asd son got into a highly touted sensory integration summer program. I was told one of the wonderful aspects was the informal support network that forms amongst the parents of the dozen or so children involved. I did see that happen...for everyone but me. I was shunned and told my son with his straight A's and successful mainstreaming was "barely autistic" and was "taking a space from children in need". Anything I said was dismissed with "you wouldn't understand". Eventually, I took to waiting outside in 100+ temps. Being asd myself, the crowded room and bad attitude was worse than the heat.
But a remarkable thing happened at the end of the six weeks. As parents saw glorious improvements in their kids, my child regressed. Painfully. The center said his sensory issues were too severe to treat in a group setting. Other parents saw that even though my son could articulate his needs, it didn't make things better. I still didn't get invited to the party or playgroup, but I did get a few apologies.
06 Feb 2011, 7:05 am
