| When your son or daughter is diagnosed with | | | | any of these emotions. Thinking about all the |
| autism it may be very overwhelming. At first you | | | | wonderful qualities of your child can help you to |
| might think that the diagnosis may be wrong. You | | | | get over being angry. Don't let anger build up in |
| may say to yourself, "this can't be right". We all | | | | you, talk with others and share your experiences. |
| are different and react to the diagnosis of Autism | | | | Grieving Process |
| differently. Below are some of the many | | | | Parents hate to see their kids have anything |
| emotions you might be feeling. It's completely | | | | wrong with them. That is why grieving is usually a |
| normal to feel these. Also we'll provide some | | | | process that takes place after you hear the news |
| suggestions to help you to deal with it better. | | | | about your child. They may be sad about all the |
| In Denial | | | | hopes and dreams they had for their child, and |
| With any medical diagnosis, many times there is | | | | think that these will have to change just because |
| the common feeling of denial. Many people find it | | | | of Autism. Parents also hate the thought that |
| easier to deny that there's even a problem. | | | | their kids might experience problems from other |
| Parents find it extremely difficult to swallow that | | | | kids as well. Grief is totally normal. The key |
| there child has something wrong. This feeling leads | | | | though is to not let grieving take over. Try to |
| many to doubt the doctor's diagnosis. Many will | | | | focus on the positive things not the negative. |
| say, the doctor had to be wrong. This wouldn't | | | | Look at the bright things about your child. Change |
| happen to our son / daughter. The faster you | | | | is a part of life. When something doesn't exactly |
| come to grips with the fact that your child is | | | | go as planned we have to change and adapt to |
| Autistic the better off your situation will be. | | | | the situation. If you're finding it very hard to |
| Autism is not something that will go away if you | | | | move past the grieving process then maybe a |
| ignore it. The sooner you realize that there is a | | | | few therapy classes might help deal with those |
| problem the quicker you'll be able to look into | | | | feelings. |
| treatment options. | | | | Accepting It |
| Extremely Angry | | | | Accepting the fact that your child has Autism |
| Like brought out earlier, everyone deals | | | | may be a long and grueling process, but in the |
| completely different with their emotions when it | | | | end it's well worth it. At this stage you can move |
| comes to medical issue. A lot of times anger | | | | on with your life. You can now focus on ways to |
| however, arises even as soon as you receive the | | | | help your child deal with his problems better. Make |
| diagnosis that your child has Autism. You may be | | | | sure you do your research on Autism. Stand |
| angry with yourself or even God. You may even | | | | behind your child and help him / her grow and |
| become angry with other parents with healthy | | | | blossom into something special. The most |
| children. This is completely normal to experience | | | | important step in helping your child is to accept it. |