Help for Autism Families.
Hearing that your child has been diagnosed with autism can be a heartbreaking experience, especially if they have previously been to doctors and have been misdiagnosed with another disorder such as ADD ( Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) before coming to this conclusion.
The diagnostic process can be long and difficult, and even if you suspected that something was off from the beginning it can still be hard to hear the final result. Fortunately, there are others out there who are experiencing the same emotions you are. Approximately 1 in 110 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, so there are many parents out there in a similar situation.
If your child has been diagnosed with any subtype of autistic spectrum disorder, you may be feeling a wide range of different emotions. Many parents commonly feel denial, anger, fear, confusion, grief, or even relief. You may be relieved that you finally know exactly what it is that is wrong with your child, though you may be at a loss as to what the next step is in order to get them the proper treatment.
How expensive is this disorder going to be? Will they need to be undergoing treatment for the rest of their lives? How does this affect their ability to develop normally and maintain relationships? Many of these questions may be going through your head.
One of the first things you can do is educate yourself on the disorder. The more you understand about what your son or daughter is experiencing, the better equipped you will be to give them the help that they need. It’s important to remember that children with autism can and do live successful lives. By educating yourself both on the disorder and on the educational services available, you can speak with both doctors and teachers to help your child get the support he or she needs in school and at home.
What else can you do to relieve yourself of these negative emotions?
• Don’t ignore your feelings. The more you push them away, the more they will keep coming back at you. Allow yourself time to be sad or angry and get it all out of your system. Going through all of these emotions is the first step in accepting the diagnosis.
• Keeping a record of your child’s behavior can help you better understand their disorder and provide their doctors with proper information.
• Share the diagnosis with other members of the family. This can provide you with a strong support group that will lend you a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on whenever you need it. They may also be able to help take care of the autistic child, or spend time with other children so that you have more time to care for the one who has been recently diagnosed.
• Try to find a support group in your area. Chances are there are a handful of other parents who have a child or multiple children who have been diagnosed with autism. Speaking to other parents who are in a similar situation can be extremely helpful, and they may be able to share information that will help you better care for your own child. A health professional or social worker can help you find support groups that are around your area.
• If you find it hard to speak to people initially, try to record your feelings in a journal. Journals are a great outlet for emotions that you cannot express to other people but that you need to get out of your system. The more you write, the more you can make sense of the wide range of emotions you are feeling. In the process, you may better understand yourself and your child, as well as learn how to express yourself to other people.
• Don’t blame yourself. Many parents feel guilty when learning that their child has been diagnosed with autism, although you must understand that it is not your fault. Although you may feel helpless and vulnerable initially, know that you will not always feel this way.
• Love and accept your child as if they do not have an autism spectrum disorder. They were your child before the diagnosis, and they are still your child afterward. Even though a label has been placed on them, nothing about them has truly changed. They still are and will be the child you have learned to love. Continue to play with them and teach them, and learn to appreciate the wonderful qualities that they have been blessed with.
How Do You Feel When Your Child Is Diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder?
It’s important for your child to feel loved before, during, and after diagnosis. Although it is possible that they may need a lifetime of support, you can gain comfort in knowing that there are professionals out there who are willing to give them this support.
A diagnosis means that you now understand what is wrong with your child; many parents deal with years of misdiagnoses of ADD, ADHD, anxiety disorder, and others before coming to this conclusion. Rest easy knowing that autism is not a life-threatening condition, and that with your love and support, your child can grow up to be a healthy, successful individual.
Have a look at our suggested treatments for Autism here. We are getting some fantastic results!
From our hearts to yours,
