Ahmad Ziqri Morshidi accused of molesting a woman
Am I Overthinking About My Autistic Son’s Future?
By nature, I am quite meticulous. When I am planning something for example a holiday abroad, I do a lot of research and planning. A lot of thinking is put in so that things will turn out as planned. For my recent trip to Busan, I made a day to day schedule which included which train or bus to take.
Recently an 22 year old autistic man, Ahmad Ziqri Morshidi from Kuala Lumpur was charged in court for alleging touching the chest of a girl. The autistic man had to spent a night at the lock up and when he was charged in court the next day, he was handcuffed and dressed in an orange prison clothes. I watched the video of the incident and the accused looked so spaced out and lost, he really did not understand what was going on. I can easily imagine that it was my autistic Jonathan who was charged in court. At times when I passed someone sleeping in the street, I would sometimes ask myself, “Would this too happen to Jonathan when Roselind, my wife and I are not around?”
The biggest worry that Roselind and I had is about Jonathan’s future when both of us are not around. Who will care for him? Will he have a roof over his head? Who will provide for his basic needs? Will Jonathan have enough food? For parents who have disabled children, this type of worry is quite common and understandable. But the question still arises; Am I overthinking about my autistic son’s future?
Jonathan is still not independent and lacked the basic skills to live independently. Thus worrying about is him especially when me and Roselind are not around is quite natural. I also know that worrying does not really help and that Roselind and I should instead focus on building Jonathan’s self-help and living skills so that he can be more independent. But knowing one thing and doing one thing is very different. A lot of us know things on a theoretical level but actually doing these things is a very different matter altogether.
Yes, I do need to think about and plan for Jonathan’s future. I want to put things in place so that he can lead a happy and stable lifestyle after both Roselind and I are gone. But how much thinking becomes too much thinking? Where do I draw the line? This not an easy question to answer. I suppose that as long as the thinking and worrying does not overwhelm me then I am not overthinking about my autistic son’s future. So what do you think? Do you also overthink? What are the things that you overthink about? Do put your thoughts in the comment section.
If you want to learn some strategies to stop overthinking, please read my next post
Follow me and stay positive.
Do check out my previous posts.
Spreading positivity one post at a time.
Charles
If you like my writing please up-vote, share and comment. Please help me to spread the message of positivity and support on Steemit by resteeming this post.
<ahref="https://steemit.com/@positivesteem">
I have so much respect for you as an autism parent! I can't imagine the stress you handle on a daily basis. I just recently visited my friend who also has a boy, actually already an adult who has autism. Wac thing them struggle just to feed some food into him I cried... I dont know if your country has some sort of warfare for this type of family to build their future... at least some financial surety. Love and hugs!!!
Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. It is not easy to be the parents of an autistic son. Things that others take for granted are sometimes a struggle for us. We are just living life one day at a time.
Posted using Partiko Android
Hey, I'm a father of 4 boys, 3 of them are autistic. They're 10, 8 and 7. My youngest, the 4yr old is a normal bright young boy. It's easy to feel depressed but I need to do my absolute best in taking care of them and prepare them as much for adulthood. But I think the most important thing is figuring out how to create a good society for them to grow up in. Other disabilities are easily recognizable, but with autism you need to give that someone a good second look. It's obvious that awareness level in this country is utterly low. But organizations out there like NASOM are always in deficit due to lack of support and donations. Which had lead them to close down 3 centers early 3rd quarter this year. I wonder how the working parents are going to keep up without those day care / therapy centers. I did try to help them by taking them to a major corporate for CSR funds, but was turned down. I wish there are other ways I can help, but with 3 autistic young boys to look after, all I can offer is my sympathy and prayers to all other autistic person and parents as well. The emotional burden is of another level. Thinking about the inevitable future of my sons is just unbearable. Staying positive is a real challenge. there is no other option but to care and love them as long as I'm alive for them, and there's really no control of what's gonna happen to them after both me and my wife is no longer around.
My heart goes out to you and your family. Coping with one autistic son is tough enough and I can't imagine how difficult it is to cope with 3. We do what we can and leave the rest to God
Posted using Partiko Android
I don't think there should be a limit to thinking about this.
Better to be over prepared than under I would say.
I myself am autistic aged 28, I'm on the high functioning side of things, My problems manifest as mainly difficulties in social situation, reading intent and emotions, interaction face to face and talking to people. It's exceptionally stressful and exhausting. I rarely leave the house or interact with other people other than on the internet.
I currently live with my father who cares for me, deals with the shopping and welfare paperwork and a host of other things.
I honestly can't think about what would happen if my dad died, I'd probably try and continue as I am but I feel like I'd burn out and break down before long. Time will tell though until then I'll work on becoming more independent.
In regards to your son, you just have to do as much as you can. You are already doing a fantastic job that much I can already tell. You can try and teach him as many basic things as possible if he is able to learn and retain that information, if he's on the low functioning high needs side of the spectrum then the alternative is introducing a 3rd party carer you trust or something along those lines.
Anyways, Keep up the good work and thanks for the fantastic post. I always enjoy reading other peoples experiences with autism.
It is good to hear from you and I have followed you to keep in touch. Unfortunately my son is low functioning so there is a lot more I need to work with him. I am exploring what are the options for Jonathan when my wife and I are not around.
Posted using Partiko Android
You got a 30.20% upvote from @postpromoter courtesy of @positivesteem!
Want to promote your posts too? Check out the Steem Bot Tracker website for more info. If you would like to support the development of @postpromoter and the bot tracker please vote for @yabapmatt for witness!
Thank you
Posted using Partiko Android
Nice post
Posted using Partiko Android
Thanks. Glad that you liked it
Posted using Partiko Android
Can i get a upvote pls
Posted using Partiko Android
Can i get a upvote pls
Posted using Partiko Android
i will pray to him,i belive he will fine one day.
Thank you so much. Appreciate your prayers. I pray for Jonathan 's healing everyday.
Posted using Partiko Android
I understand you are worried about the future of your son. But do not be frustrated - I hope God surely will do good to him.
I understand you are worried about the future of your son. But do not be frustrated - I hope God surely will do good to him.
Turning to God is what has help me cope on a daily basis.
Posted using Partiko Android
Posted using Partiko Android
Will pray for your son bro. I knew the struggle to take Care him. But surely he is the angel from God..
Posted using Partiko Android
Oh yes Jonathan is an angel from God.Thank you for your prayers.
Posted using Partiko Android
Amen
Posted using Partiko Android
It is the best choice. Look for God.
Yes, my spiritual beliefs have been of great help.
Posted using Partiko Android
Hi @positivesteem!
Your post was upvoted by @steem-ua, new Steem dApp, using UserAuthority for algorithmic post curation!
Your UA account score is currently 4.797 which ranks you at #1321 across all Steem accounts.
Your rank has dropped 13 places in the last three days (old rank 1308).
In our last Algorithmic Curation Round, consisting of 407 contributions, your post is ranked at #206.
Evaluation of your UA score:
Feel free to join our @steem-ua Discord server
what an interesting insight into the mind of a parent raising an autistic child. great way to stay positive
Thank you. I need to stay positive for my own sake and for my son.
Posted using Partiko Android
indeed and remember Autism often is a side effect of hyper intelligence in some form or another. your say may have talents that haven't shown yet. keep up the good work, we support your efforts :)
A lot of people with autism have savant skills. My son does not have savant skills but he is really good at jigsaw puzzles
Posted using Partiko Android
Congratulations @positivesteem!
Your post was mentioned in the Steemit Hit Parade in the following category:
I am so honored to be on this list. Thank you.
Posted using Partiko Android
You're welcome @positivesteem. I'm glad to help.
Wow really I congratulate you, for this post, very real and emotional, I would like to be able to tell you that everything will be OK and that do not worry, however, as a parent is that your concern is sincere and real, I have come to your post after visit [your previous post](http s://steemit.com/life/@positivesteem/thinking-is-addictive-5-strategies-to-help-us-stop-over-thinking-x5kb5v7v) and really want to say that I hope that you manage to adapt the world of your child in the best way it is to be it more happy as possible, I hope that the time in which the is as independent as possible and thus achieve greater fullness and success in your life.
Thank so much for your supportive words. I am baring my soul here with this article. One of my intentions is that I hope that others who tend to overthink will know that they are not alone.
Posted using Partiko Android
I do believed that being an autism child parent,would be the greatest parent ever compare to others normal children in the world ,it because an autism child do need more attentions , patience and also fully occupied for time to teach them with full patience and the parent also have to learn from something that they are interested or telented in due with they are a bit abnormal mindset then usual normal kid,but somehow some autism kids came out some awesome talent that God given to them for example on drawings or pianos as I came across on some case studies that when I was studying major on psychology.However , this day do have special school for childrens that was mainly for handling our unfortunate childrens mostly the teachers would be major on psychology.while for the case for Ahmad is kinda sad because he must be scared and it would need sessions counselling from a psychiatrist for his trauma and I do think that he do not know or curiosity what have he dome even he is not in a good behaviour,but I so hope that the victim can stand on his shoe to forgive him through his behaviour is not correct.
Posted using Partiko Android
It is tough for us as parents of autistic and other disabled children. I wish there are more people like you who empathize with us. We often get stares from the public if Jonathan is acting out.
Posted using Partiko Android
That is ok even sometimes normal nurses line will even get scared as well.we need to gave a lot of patience and even encouragement like a young kids and keep telling them all the how was it suppose to be that's why as an autism child parents I do really give a shout out to them is not that easy.cheers don't give up as we said H.O.P.E=Hold On Pains End some role play for normal children in order to think what is in they mind towards they parent or while for disable children parents can get more knowledge from some talk or some workshop to at least to keep them stable for at least for they normal living . It because let me gave u an example one of my bff brother he is an autism child too but he end up work in coffee bean and manage to have his own friend s I do believe this is happy enough for an autism parent to see they child can even do a normal peoples jobs right.Here in Kota Kinabalu even a fast food (KFC) restaurant all the workers is disables employee really a big shout out.when I saw that I really much more then happy some people here at least gave chance to those disable peoples jobs.While me usually only handles homeless peoples to gave them counselling during my weekend night because they are also one of the community that they get neglected by the society,even some of them are taking drugs.
Posted using Partiko Android
One of the autistic man in Kuching is working in the kitchen of Hilton Hotel. It just depends on how independent the autistic person is. Once again, thank you for your support and encouragement.
Posted using Partiko Android
I don't believe you are over thinking. I believe that you are thinking correctly because you care so much. I totally understand you as I also have a special needs child. I have the same thoughts, fears, and concerns that you have.
The future of our special needs children is always on the mind of their parents.
Posted using Partiko Android