The lack of integrated healthcare is also a big problem. Different therapists and medical professionals don't always communicate well. So, for example, the psychologist might not be aware of what the physical therapist has observed about the child. This lack of coordination can be a real horror for moms trying to ensure comprehensive care for their autistic children.
Many moms face the issue of misdiagnosis. Some doctors might not be well - trained in autism diagnosis and could mislabel a child's symptoms, leading to wrong treatment plans. This can set the child back in their development. For example, my friend's child was misdiagnosed with ADHD first, and by the time they got the correct autism diagnosis, they had lost valuable time for early autism - specific interventions.
The difficulty in finding inclusive social activities is also a horror story for many moms. They want their autistic children to have a normal social life, but most community events or playgroups are not adapted for children with autism. So the mom has to constantly search for suitable places and activities, often feeling isolated in the process.
A common horror story is social isolation. Moms often find that their social lives are severely restricted. Their friends may not understand why they can't just leave their autistic child with a sitter and go out. So, they end up feeling alone. Also, financial stress is huge. Therapies for autism can be very expensive and insurance may not cover everything. So, moms have to constantly worry about how to afford the best care for their kids.
Many moms face the horror of having no support network. Their families may not understand the needs of the autistic child, leaving the mom to do everything on her own, from taking care of daily needs to handling all the medical and therapy appointments.
A frequent aspect in healthcare horror stories is negligence. This can range from nurses not giving medications on time to doctors misdiagnosing. Also, insurance issues often play a big role. Many times patients are left with huge bills they can't afford or are denied coverage for essential treatments, which is a real horror in the healthcare context.
Yes, they are fairly common. Just look at the waiting lists in many countries with socialized healthcare. People can wait for ages to see a specialist or get a necessary procedure. It's not something that happens once in a while.
One horror story could be dealing with the lack of understanding from schools. For example, an Autism Warrior Mom might face a school that refuses to provide the necessary accommodations for her autistic child. They might not understand the importance of a sensory - friendly environment or individualized education plans, leaving the child to struggle in a mainstream setting without proper support.
One horror story could be when the mom tries to get proper educational support for her autistic child. She might face a lot of bureaucracy and resistance from the school system. For example, the school may not want to provide the necessary individualized education plan (IEP) or may try to cut corners on services. It's a nightmare for the mom as she has to fight tooth and nail just to ensure her child gets the basic education they deserve.
High costs are a very common element. People often get slammed with bills they can't afford. For example, a routine hospital stay can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Lack of understanding is a big one. People not getting why an autistic person does certain things, like repeating words or having sensory issues. It leads to bad situations.
Well, often there's the element of the unexpected. For example, a mom plans a nice family dinner but the kids get sick right before. Also, kids' accidents are common. A mom might turn her back for a second and the kid has fallen and hurt themselves. And there's the always - dreaded potty - training disasters, like when a child has an accident on a brand - new couch.