I'm very doubtful that Autism is hereditary. Since I was young, I've worked with special needs... as an elementary student I was allowed to read to what was then called the "resource" room. In high school, I was a peer 1:1. Back then, there was one autistic girl. That was it. (there were other kids with downs, etc) Now, we have an entire school dedicated to students with Autism. (Oh, its the same school district I grew up in, and the student body has actually shrunk since then)

3 abortions, 1 miscarriage, 1 special needs child

I'm scared no ones ever going to want me. single overweight mom with 2 kids? one who's special needs? I don't want to be alone.. but i can't stay with a guy who can't trust me after 14 months together to be part of his life. if you can't take the risk in trusting me not to hurt you, I can't take the risk in staying with you.

A scientist is not supposed to be engaged. He or she is supposed to be objective. Tests for special needs are supposed to be objective. You sound like "that" mom.

I wish that moms of special needs kids wouldn't be so hard on themselves for resenting the extra work and possibly even the child him/herself from time to time for not being "normal", or not even resenting but just wishing their child was "normal". After all, isn't that what most of us want for ourselves? To fit in, to be this idea of normal that we have? If you want something for yourself, isn't it natural to want it for your children? It's okay to feel things.

YDD is showing tendencies like her older special needs brother. I don't think I have it in me to raise two special needs children.

DS(7) is special needs. Most days I have the patience of a saint to work with him and lovingly guide him. I think of his future and I'm hopeful he'll be a productive member of society. Other days I can't stand to be near him and worry that he'll be one of those kids I hear about on the news. I love DS with every ounce of my being but I wish he was a normal kid.

I was reading a blog from a mother whose first child came out with SLOS, but decided to try again for a second child, which came out healthy. Then decided to try for one more child and this third child also came out with SLOS. She keeps having children because she thinks God wants her to have children and that her special needs children are meant to be that way. What makes me angry is that she wrote that she gets Medicaid. ugggg.

I was always considered very beautiful. In elementary school my IQ was tested at 175 I got straight As in high school and university, while modeling as a source of income. I have masters in psychology. Everyone thought I would do great things. I haven't. Now I'm just a fat sahm to my dd with special needs. She will depend on dh and I for the rest of her life. I feel like I wasted all of my potential. Dd was an accident. A product of a self reversed vasectomy. She has ruined my life.

I think my experience here has been such a positive in my life. When raising a special needs kid alone, one can feel isolated and draine, but you ladies were so encouraging. I will miss that, but thank you!!