| Children with autism deal with a lot each day as | | | | go through the normal stages of grief. So, in a |
| they interpret their environment through their | | | | sense, parents need help too. Grandparents can |
| unique sensory perceptions. Parents of children | | | | provide help, unique perspective, patience and |
| with autism are often overwhelmed as they seek | | | | experience. |
| the best treatments and therapies. Parents are | | | | Upon the topic of experience, parents may feel |
| engrossed in their role as leader of the child's | | | | that the grandparents have never before brought |
| therapeutic team. Parents have many jobs, as | | | | up a child with autism, so what can they know |
| they must act as liasions among the various | | | | about it? Grandparents may not know autism, but |
| specialists and also advocate for their child within | | | | they know children. Children are children, after all. |
| the school system. In other words, parents are | | | | As a personal example in this writer's experience, |
| very busy. This sets the stage for the spotlight | | | | my own grandmother was the one who taught |
| to rest upon some very interesting characters in | | | | her autistic great- grandson (my son) how to |
| the autism family drama: the grandparents. | | | | write. When he was three years old, she began |
| The importance of the role of the grandparents | | | | patiently and painstakingly writing the letter "A" |
| for children with autism cannot be overstated. In | | | | with shaving cream and proceeded through the |
| past years over diverse cultures, elders across | | | | alphabet until he could write all the letters. Then |
| every society and tribe held positions of great | | | | she taught him to write words. He is fifteen |
| respect. This is because in most cultures elders | | | | today and evidences no fine motor delay |
| are the keepers of ancient secrets or wisdom. In | | | | whatsoever. He writes well. She accomplished this |
| a disorder where both the cause and cure are | | | | during a time when he was completely nonverbal |
| presently unknown, the best course of action is | | | | and the rest of the family was in shock, confusion |
| to give deference to the wisdom of the elder | | | | and despair. Age brings patience and patience |
| members of society. | | | | brings wisdom and results. |
| The grandparents and great- grandparents of | | | | Grandparents and great- grandparents of children |
| children with autism can provide insight into the | | | | with autism should have positions of honor in any |
| child's behavior that parents may be too | | | | roundtable discussion that involves brainstorming. |
| exhausted to see. Also, upon having a child newly | | | | Their physical strength might not be great but |
| diagnosed with the disorder, parents themselves | | | | their life experience contribution is. |