'That's not autism': Grandma won't accept grandchild's diagnosis

"She's not autistic, she's smart," the mum was outrageously told.

For one mum, accepting that her daughter lives with autism hasn’t been an issue - but she's been surprised by the reactions from her family.

In a recent TikTok, the mum (whose username is @sfmcguire) , tells viewers, "We recently told a family member that our daughter is autistic.

"And they were like, she's not autistic, she's smart."

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"She's autistic AND she's smart"

The frustrated mum continues, "I'm like, no. She's autistic AND she's smart."

But the grandmother wouldn't accept that. She questioned, "Why do they think she's autistic, and rattled off a number of things she deals with."

The older woman then added that her son, the girl's dad, displays similar signs.

But the girl's mum recognised those signs as him most likely living with autism, too.

"Her dad, that is smart enough to get his PHD in economics whilst having three kids, but at the same time, when I ask him to soften butter for cookies I found him literally squeezing it in his hands."

Using another example, she added that when a work colleague asked him where he was moving to, he replied earnestly and truthfully, "A house."

Image: TikTok/iStock

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What is autism?

A very basic explainer can be found on the government's health website:

"Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong developmental disorder. It affects how people behave and interact with the world around them.

"In people with ASD, the brain does not grow in the same way it does in most people. ASD presents differently in boys and girls.

"ASD is not a mental health problem or an intellectual disability. But some people with ASD will also have those problems.

"Children and adults with ASD may be highly intelligent, of normal intelligence, or have an intellectual disability. Along with some challenges, an autistic person will also have a range of strengths."

"The exact conversation"

Many of the commenters on the 5 million-strong video could relate to the mum's story.

"The exact conversation I had with my parents after getting diagnosed with ADHD," one shared.

Another said, "My mum gasped in horror and asked where I thought my son got it from. I told her my older brother. She was horrified."

Parents told of the moment their partners realised they could also be living with ASD, with this person recalling: "Omg this was my husband realizing he’s neurodivergent while we filled out all the questionnaires for our son’s diagnosis!"

It looks like we still have a long way to go for the wider community to have greater understanding.

For more information on autism see Health Direct

Originally published as 'That's not autism': Grandma won't accept grandchild's diagnosis