Sort:  

Yes I do think Is is true, our Grandson although not biologically my Grandson has Autism/ADHD and i see traits in him that I can so relate to and perhaps its why I can understand his frustrations at times and get on well with hm :)

Lucky for him, he'll get to grow up with someone that "gets it". It will make it easier to manage and get thru the harder moments and teach some skill how to cope. My parents chose to not medicate so I always managed on my own but help to learn how to woulda been nice!

I think back when I was growing up there was no medications in some ways we were considered troubled or difficult kids but no one really understood why we are the way we are
I think its harder but working through it without medication is possibly better in the long run

The mentality of people hasn't changed much since then tho, how often do I get told It's a fake illness and a sad excuse to medicate. Kinda breaks my heart that people still talk that way. Many of us learned to deal naturally especially during your time when meds was just not available. Wish I had a copy of brain scans at times to show the difference from normal brains.

I think it's a blessing that I had to learn to adapt. It's a huge life long challenge but I swear someways it has become an advantage, especially in photography. Like you , when I walk around, I don't see a big picture, I see a dissected version of all the little details that make the picture, that is priceless to experience. @silvergingerman still in awe at how I can spot the tiniest of life or movement without even trying.

I totally agree with all you say nowadays there are many options and no one fits all, but there are pluses as you say as well, I think we are so much more observant, and see things in a totally different way than others
I think I have it quite mild or maybe i am just used to how I work or my brain works its always on the go and people have trouble understanding that's just the way I am wired, but knowing how I am even if mild it does help me to understand our grandson I think I can relate to him in a way many others dont, well except his nothers father he is the same as us not that he would ever admit it LOL

I think the biggest challenge is the misunderstood part and it's like people think everyone should fit in the same box, like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole! I'm bad enough but manageable and also more observant and analytic then the average. The problem becomes paying attention in school/training and sit quietly...Given I'm in heavy industrial trades, I just kinda fit right in now...lol. I have endless amounts of energy that allows me to do such a highly demanding physical job. The main thing is to spend that extra energy productively before it has time to build up and turn into a negative disruption.

No one will understand him and his needs more than his parents but at the end of the day, the more people in his life to understand, the less frustrating it will be and you have different tools to deal and teach that yourself might not even be aware of until the moment comes.

Tell them it's a blessing and to stop denying it!! hehe

Ohh yes thats true, I have always been the odd one out, and used to struggle with it, but now I must admit I embrace it, I am what I am and if people don't like it, I see it as their problem and not mine, maybe thats easier as I am getting on in age LOL
I excelled at school as int he exams, but not at sitting still and listening in the class, luckily I had a few teachers who realized sitting listening to them waffle did nothing for me and I would likely cause trouble if not occupied, so they just gave me text books to read or projects to do separate from what they class was doing, it worked out for them as then I wasn't distracting others in the class, plus that way I learned all that was needed and did very well in the exams.
with some health issues I dont have endless energy these days but I am still hyper so I can't sit still for long, so always getting up for walks around during the day luckily my bosses are Ok with that as I churn out the work that is needed in my break sitting at my desk LOL

my grandson is very lucky his parents do not understand all his differences of course, but they do understand he is different and embrace that he is so special in many ways soon we will be living closer to them hopefully in the same city and I will get to spend more time with him and his siblings which I am so looking forward to