Am I a bad mom?

Hi Erika - so sorry to read how difficult all this is for you. You are not a "bad mom." Your child has genetic disorder that cannot be cured, it can only be managed. Unfortunately these early years are more difficult because it's hard to reason with a toddler even when they are not Autistic. I don't profess to know much about Autism except for the fact that i am a twin and my brother is Autistic. Our mother - a clinical narcissist - would never accept this reality and so there has never been treatment for him. At 56 he's a mess and completely averse to getting help. I would suggest you reach out and try to find groups with moms with similar difficulties and children of a similar age. I am assuming you are in America - we are in Australia. Here there are support groups, but the real attention is on when the child gets older, for instance in their teens/early 20's where there are programs that guide them and provide environments for stability - work and even housing. I'm sorry i can't give you an answer having never been a parent, but I had to post to offer my sympathy, i just can't imagine how difficult this is for you. I should add that your first paragraph illustrates the hypocrisy and burden organised religion can be on humans - shameful.

My son was MUTE until age 8. did not talk. By then he was diagnosed AUTISM, I was P****D OFF!!! MY Son is now 24 and getting married. I will tell you why. I gave up viewing my son as AUTISM,feeling sorry for myself that he ALSO had horrific tempers,meltdowns and had in home workers until age 17!!!! My privacy as a MOM was ruined. But I GOT OVER MYSELF and I focused on what HE CAN DO,and that is GRAPHIC ARTS. HE can only FREELANCE for Companies because he cant be around alot of people. I am ALSO a Believer in JESUS CHRIST, its NOT Religion,its a RELATIONSHIP, when you mention RELIGION, you dont know Christ. I had 4 MISCARRIAGES!!! God finally gave me my son. There is a Living God. If you want my suggestions, grow up. To raise a special needs child,you CANNOT do it unless you GROW UP, put that child over EVERYTHING. And also call Mental Health hotline and get in home care for your child. I am 50 years old and I walked that life for 24 years.