The First Thing You Need To Do When Your Child is Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Updated: Sep 12, 2019
Understanding Autism Series: Part One
So you've received a diagnosis. Your child has autism. The doctor handed you some scripts for recommended therapies for your child and in some cases therapies, you were already doing. You leave the doctor's office to drive home in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. You may cry. You may feel relieved. You may experience shock. Tons of thoughts will keep coming to you. Maybe if we would have done something differently or maybe if we hadn't done this or that. If I hadn't eaten sushi while pregnant. One parent may go into complete denial. This is usually the Dad. So you feel like you have lost support from the other parent who should completely understand you. The thoughts will keep swirling. The biggest will keep coming back to how and why. How did my child get autism? How did this happen? You start thinking do I tell people or keep it a secret. Our Family and Friends going to understand? What do I do now? Oh yes, I have these scripts for therapies I'm already doing. Double amount of trying to fit it in my schedule. More waiting rooms that my child is going to have a meltdown in or destroy. Sound familiar? This is what we all went through Mommy.
Autism can make you feel very isolated and alone. Just remember you are not alone on this.
What do I do next?
The first thing I highly recommend is googling
[autismyourstate]
My state has autism Oklahoma. The first thing you want to do is locate a support group for parents. Mine had groups that met monthly, plus Facebook groups to join. This is key to finding parents that really get and understand what you are going through.
This support will have tons of resources at your fingertips. Workshops in your area. They will be able to tell you what you need in your area. Just remember we all had the whirlwind of emotions and thought process on our journey to accepting the diagnosis. We all grieved the idea of what our expectations were. Your kid is still the same kid you loved before the diagnosis. The diagnosis just opens the gate to your new path.
Give yourself time to fully process the diagnosis
Continue with the therapies or starting them for your child. Therapies are proven to be the most effective form of treatment for autism.
#Autism #autismawareness #AutismDiagnosis #MyKidHasAutism #asd #spectrum