u/coronabride2020

So for context, I have a 3 year old son with autism. My husband met a woman at his work who has a son(I think he's 7 turning 8? I might be wrong) with autism. She invited us to his birthday party, my husband asked her what he's into to and she said not to bring a gift. I feel like that's really tacky to show up to a birthday party without a gift, so I'm looking for something to get.

I found a bath toy that had like stacking shapes (I'm getting it for my son actually haha) I was thinking of maybe getting that for him to? Is that a weird gift? Is that enough? Any ideas here! TIA

ETA I thought "you don't have to bring a gift" was just something polite to say since we don't know them well at all. Thanks for the advice, I won't get a gift, maybe a gift card!

A month or 2 ago, I posted here about how I have a mother's helper (babysitter in training, teenage middle school girl). I mentioned how positive the experience is, and wanted advice about telling her that my toddler son has autism.

She has already seen pretty much every autistic trait he has, I just hadn't told her yet that he has autism. So yesterday I said, "you know how he (does xyz) well, that's autism." Her response, "I already figured. I have been around a lot of kids before and yeah I figured."

I was so happy to hear that! I got teary eyed! Lol I am so happy that this little girl knew she had been watching a kid with autism and she wasn't bothered by it at all! It may be false hope, but it gives me hope that others will be more accepting of him once he starts school, etc.

I just wanted to share and I hope other people here will have positive experiences like this one! Thank you for reading!

I have recently been hearing about ABA therapies commiting insurance fraud. From my understanding, the parents drop the kids off, they claim to be doing speech, occupational, etc. when in reality they are just ignoring the kids. I heard that especially new ABA's are guilty of this, but also ones that have been around a while. Has anyone experienced this yet?

Mother's helper technically. My son is level 1 and turning 3 in a couple months. A couple months ago I found a young middle school girl to play with my son while I cook, clean, nap, etc. It's been going so well, my son really likes her, she really likes coming over and playing with him. I didn't tell her right away, because I wasn't sure if this was going to work out, but since it seems to be working out and she might be a babysitter for him someday. I definitely want to tell her before I ever leave her alone with him. I'm thinking I should tell her and her mom together. I know this part is going to sound bad, but I also fear what if she doesn't want to come over and play with him anymore once I tell her? I know I shouldn't want anyone who's ableist playing with my son anyway, but it's just such a positive experience for him, I don't want to ruin this! Anyone here ever been in a similar situation to mine? When do you think I should tell them?