Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Neurodiversity

(38 Posts)
Cossy Fri 27-Jun-25 10:25:44

Elowen33

If their parents do not think they need extra support at school there is no point in giving them a label.

I would think the parents, who spend the most time with them would no if they needed any extra help.

Having an adult child with both ASD and ADHD and a second AD with Borderline Personality Disorder, it really an about so much more than getting extra support at school.

Neurodiverse people feel different, often having different needs to others and many are seeking answers.

I completely understand the OPs concerns.

nanna8 Fri 27-Jun-25 09:50:21

I agree with the others. Keep shtum unless their mother asks you or broaches the subject herself.

keepingquiet Fri 27-Jun-25 09:15:58

You have to keep your thoughts and opinions to yourself, hard though it is.

People may think being a grandparent is all ice-cream and cuddles. Sometimes it is, but it is also allowing your child to be a parent, and watch them do and say things you don't approve of.

Because my daughter's MIL said something about my grandchild at a very early age my DD became very defensive about my GS, and has been resistant to his getting any diagnosis for him. She just calls him weird! He is doing very well at school and seems to be happy, so what can I say?

All I can do is have my own relationship with him, make sure he's happy and thriving and most of all support my DD whenever she needs it.

dogsmother Fri 27-Jun-25 09:00:13

I really wish I could have been understood and “labelled” as a child perhaps it would have made life so much easier. There seems to me no doubt I had/have some form of adhd at least now I can stop take a deep breath and try to focus.
I think it’s a case of if you know you get it.

Maremia Fri 27-Jun-25 08:49:22

If they are getting along fine, then let them be. Just be ready to gently use strategies that have helped you, if and when needed.

Iam64 Fri 27-Jun-25 08:35:25

It’s so judgemental as well as wrong to dismiss the increasing understanding of neurodiversity as everyone having an ism.

Like many grans, I’m often delivering or collecting grandchildren from school. I just don’t see all these dreadful young mothers stuffing children with cakes, or sticking them on a tablet so mum can be on her phone. I see groups of parents, aunties, grandparents waiting as the early years children go in/come out earlier and are united with the person collecting them by their teacher. The children race about, children play ball at the top playground so non footie children aren’t dominated.
Buttonjugs, you may be right but keeling your counsel is probably the wisest move.

Allsorts Fri 27-Jun-25 08:22:34

I think now everyone has a label or an ism. I see mothers out with children and they are always on their phone, I don't think this is just here, they go to a restaurant as a family and stick an I phone in front of the child to amuse them. Where is the interaction. Children having tantrums in a shop and given a bread roll or a cake, probably never paid for, to keep them quiet. I do wonder if a lot of the problems with children is boredom. We were out playing, interacting mode of the time.
Your own daughter knows her own children better, she wouldn't take kindly to you diagnosing not should she.

Aveline Fri 27-Jun-25 08:09:52

Nobody is ASD. They may be on the autism spectrum somewhere but there is always more to a person than just autism. All the other genetic components and their life experience contributes to their personality and presentation.

Whiff Fri 27-Jun-25 06:43:49

Buttonjugs you can't do anything. It's up to their mom if she wants them to be assed. You only think they have these things . What if you interfer and you are wrong ?

You say you have ASD did you have this diagnosised?

As a grandparent you have no rights only what your child lets you have . How would have felt if your parents had interfered in your bring up your daughter? The mother has rights you do not . Leave well alone .

justwokeup Fri 27-Jun-25 00:55:06

Buttonjugs if you are correct, their mother almost certainly suspects too but doesn’t want to do anything yet or doesn’t know what to do. She needs time. You don’t say how old they are but, if they go to school, their teacher might initiate the conversation. Don’t try to move anything along yourself though, you can’t win that battle and you could be wrong anyway. Just try to treat your grandchildren with the understanding and patience you would have liked for yourself, no more than you’d expect from a grandma.

Mizuna Thu 26-Jun-25 23:31:09

Yes, it would seem like that Elowen33 but I'm close to a young family with a 15-year-old who almost certainly has autism. He barely gets to school and his dad finds it hard to acknowledge there's a problem, though fortunately his mum does and is trying to get a diagnosis.

Buttonjugs can you think what might have helped you when you were younger and apply that somehow to your granddaughters?

Elowen33 Thu 26-Jun-25 23:16:00

If their parents do not think they need extra support at school there is no point in giving them a label.

I would think the parents, who spend the most time with them would no if they needed any extra help.

Buttonjugs Thu 26-Jun-25 23:07:01

I have two granddaughters who are wildly different. I think one of them has ADHD and the other ASD. The problem is their mother doesn’t want to accept that they have anything. I am ASD myself and know how hard it is when nobody understands you. I just need advice to help them