| A diagnosis of autism strikes fear into the heart | | | | necessarily have the ability to process a situation |
| of many parents. They feel unprepared, hopeless, | | | | the same way you do is very important. Again, |
| guilty and lost. When faced with the daunting | | | | patience will help you work with your child to |
| challenge of raising an autistic child many simply | | | | develop appropriate coping mechanisms. It is well |
| freeze not knowing where to go, what to do and | | | | documented that people with autism need |
| how this will change their lives. While you may | | | | routines to cope. Develop a specific routine to deal |
| never understand exactly what occurs in your | | | | with triggers. |
| child's brain, you can learn how to best help your | | | | Another important factor to remember is that |
| child, and yourself, cope with the world. There are | | | | your son or daughter is not stupid. They, more |
| many levels of autism from mild to severe. Here | | | | often than not, are of above average intelligence. |
| are a few things that will help you, your child, | | | | Helping an autistic child find their particular niche will |
| family and caregivers to navigate through the | | | | be rewarding for you both. By introducing new |
| maze of autism. | | | | concepts and ideas in a way your child can cope |
| First, learn what your child's triggers are. What | | | | with, you will begin to learn what makes he or |
| makes him or her react badly or shut down? This | | | | she happy and content. Music, puzzles, painting, |
| could be anything from loud noises to large | | | | gardening, individual sports, maybe even team |
| crowds, intense competition to not getting enough | | | | sports. There is a tendency to shield autistic |
| sleep the night before. This takes time, patience | | | | children from the world, but by doing so you limit |
| and building a foundation of trust. You must be | | | | your child. By helping your child find what makes |
| constantly aware of your child's environment and | | | | them unique, you enable them to have a future. |
| the potential for known triggers and new ones to | | | | In today's world, having a child with autism does |
| appear. Document the triggers and make sure | | | | not doom them to an institutionalized life. It also |
| everyone involved with the care of your child is | | | | does not doom you to a life of not seeing your |
| aware. Also ensure that everyone understands | | | | son or daughter succeed. You are simply |
| what actions to take to minimize the aftereffects | | | | embarking on a new journey of seeing the world |
| of exposure, whether that be removing the child | | | | as your autistic child does and helping them learn |
| from the situation or having a specific routine that | | | | how to best function in that world. By accepting |
| calms your child down. | | | | this path and realizing that it can be hugely |
| As you develop your relationship with your child, | | | | rewarding for you both, you have taken the first |
| you will both develop coping mechanisms. While | | | | step to success. Working with your doctor, |
| yours might be to take a deep breath after | | | | therapists that specialize in autistic children and |
| encountering a stressful situation, your child's | | | | even networking with other parents of autistic |
| might be a sudden destructive temper tantrum. | | | | children will help you guide your child through the |
| Understanding that your son or daughter does not | | | | maze of autism. |