What Not To Say To A Parent With An Autistic Child

1. Will he/she ever be normal?
Are any of us really normal?
2. I'm so sorry this happened to you!
I'm sure this is suppose to be comforting... it's not!
3. Do the doctors know why he/she is like that?
No but when we find out, we'll be sure to let you know.
4. The other kids are afraid of him/her.
That's funny...he's afraid of them, too.
5. I don't know how I would deal with it if it was my child.
Deal with it the same way you would with anything else in life...one day at a time!
6. I can't even tell he has it by looking at him.
I'm sorry...what exactly does autism look like?
7. Autistic children should not be in the regular classroom setting.
Nowadays, it's hard to tell the difference between the children with and without disabilities in the classroom.
8. She must be really good with numbers.
Children with autism have diverse skills and interests just like any other children. Making generalizations about behaviors is stereotypical... and, in some cases, offensive.