My child has autism – what now?

My child has autism – what now?

“Autism Spectrum Disorder” …You’ve either heard about it somewhere along the line, or it’s new to your vocabulary. Whatever the case may be, you’ve just found out that your child has ASD (omg! that rhymes).

First thing’s first…DON’T PANIC!

I can understand and empathise with you on this topic.

I’m certain that all parents feel the intense emotions surrounding the fact that they’ve just received a confirmed diagnosis that their child is on the autism spectrum, and that the child fits into the ‘special needs’ category. Now, it’s my job to ease your nerves! (Well, I’m going to try). By following the next 5 tips, I will validate your feelings and guide you through your newest discovery. And all you want to know the answer to is:

“WHAT NOW?” So, let’s begin…

#1 You finally have an answer! Having the suspicion that your child is not developing at the rate that you expect could come with a lot of denial. And with denial, comes procrastination to finding out the answer. Whether you’ve had an inkling in your minds from your child being only a few months old, or right up until they’re three years old because you were too afraid to find out. Heck…I know families who only found out when their child was seven! The ultimate is that now you have an ANSWER!

An answer for yourself, your friends and family, your child’s siblings and friends, and of course …an answer for your autistic child!

You have got results backed up by years and years of research that there is no need to panic! Thankfully, autism is not amongst the rarest of developmental delays and guess what? You will have an incredible amount of support! Support from doctors, teachers, therapists, family and friends.

That brings me to my next tip…

#2 It is scary… Being afraid of how this new discovery will change your life is 110% scary. You’re allowed to feel all types of emotions like feeling scared, anxious, sad, and all of those harsh emotions, including emotions such as relief, now that you have an answer.

However, there is one thing that needs to be said, it will benefit both you as a parent, as well as your child, to remain as positive as possible. You have been blessed with a beautiful and, giving the circumstances, healthy child who is not completely limited to functioning in life.

You will still receive the best qualities of being a parent such as, unconditional love, creating beautiful memories, watching your child grow and discover, and take pride in your child’s accomplishments.

#3 Learn about autism!

Being a working parent can make this task a lot harder for you to accomplish, but it will be worth it for your child, yourself, and your family. Once you’ve caught a grasp on the different terminologies and your child’s neurodiversity, then you’re already one HUGE step in the right direction. Learning about autism will give you the first bit of help that you need for you to help your autistic child.

There are many resources that can give you detailed descriptions of what lies behind the words “autism spectrum”, but easy does it! Don’t overwhelm yourself and feel panicked by the information overload. Take your time and keep educating yourself at your own pace.

Learned something new that matches your child’s autistic trait? Practice it with them, get the hang of it, and then move on to the next new thing.

#4 Your child’s autism… As mentioned above, search for what applies to your child’s specific needs! Your child has transitioning issues? Learn about transitioning and autism. Do they enjoy using a specific material for a towel? Learn why. Does your child hate the feeling of touching the ground with bare feet? Research more on sensory integration. The more you learn about your child’s autism, the more comfort it brings to them in knowing how well you understand them. And in turn, your child will trust you completely which gives you a sense of peace and less anxiety.

It is called a “spectrum” for a reason…the answer being that no autistic child is EVER the same. Some children may have similar or vastly different triggers, sensory issues, processing abilities, speaking abilities, or even food sensitivities to name a few, but learning about the reasons behind your child’s challenges may help you feel more able to help yourself and, of course, your child.

Educating yourself about the autism spectrum is extremely important for you and your family to feel the most comfort and reassurance as possible. You will be learning how to be the best advocate for your child with autism. Find more resources on how autism is diagnosed, how to adjust your life, and how to educate your family and friends on the matter too.

#5 Enjoy your autistic child! Now, for my favourite part of this article…enjoying your autistic child!

You’ll often find yourself in moments where you’re fully entertained and positively amused by your child’s special traits, as well as, recognising small achievements as your child grows and develops. During this time is when you will get to know your child’s autism the most, spending wonderful moments with them and creating unforgettable memories that will make you feel proud of being the parents of an autistic child.

An extra tip… My best tip is that you remain the most positively reinforcing part of your child’s life. Just like any child out there, your autistic little love will always have mommy and/or daddy in mind whenever they feel uncomfortable with themselves, their environment, and much more.

I truly hope that this article has given you a sense of peace, hope and understanding that everything will be OK after receiving the news that your little one has been diagnosed with ASD. The purpose of this blog post is to create a feeling of comfort in your life’s new journey with your autistic child.

With all my love, Dani X

P.S. Wanna understand life from an autistic person himself? Click here to get a full indepth experience of what it’s like to live as an autistic individual, firsthand! https://www.autismworks.com/a/2147504522/izRwczx4