ESH. I grew up with an autistic brother. It was rough some days. I often felt like I was on the back burner. I made my parents life more difficult by seeking attention in not so much loving ways. Fast forward years later and now I’m a mother of an autistic son. I wish I knew the things I know now back then. I would have shown more patience, empathy and compassion. I would have included my brother in more things. I would have helped out instead of making my parents miserable. Parents make mistakes. There isn’t a handbook when it comes to being the perfect parent of a child with autism. We live and we learn. And some of us are just tying to make it to the next day. I know it isn’t fair and as others say, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your MP3 player and other things. I agree with that. However, the fact of the reality is you have a sister on the spectrum, she is also non-verbal. She doesn’t mean to ruin her items. Running away isn’t the answer. Sometimes we have to grow up a little faster. And sometimes things aren’t fair.