When parents are first given the diagnosis of autism, they are immediately swamped with questions that begin to lead them on their quest for answers throughout their journey. It can feel like a daunting task. But as you search for answers, there are a few things to keep in mind when receiving an autism diagnosis.
This article is written by Laura Hurd
For more on this topic, check out the full Mental Health collection
What to Know When Receiving an Autism Diagnosis
If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” – Dr. Temple Grandin
Clearly, Dr. Temple Grandin (diagnosed with autism herself), stated the truest words spoken to date about an autistic child. “When you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism”. She was not saying this to be clever. But rather to point out the uniqueness of every individual with autism.
Autism is not across the board, one size fits all. Many times as moms and dads begin their endeavor for solutions for their child, they are completely overtaken by the confusion of it all: Sensory Processing Disorder, Apraxia, Dyspraxia, OCD, ODD, echolalia, stimming, scripting, and so much more. So many autism terms and so little time!
It is a lot to take in. It is even more to process.
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It will be a Shaky Start
Once parents semi grasp what their new role is for their child, they will start to take those first steps across the bridge linking so many questions to unforeseen answers. Because their child has his or her own special set of needs, a lot of time and energy will be spent on trial and error. What’s even more exhausting, is something that may have worked for their precious child yesterday, will only throw them in a tailspin today. Oftentimes this process is hit and miss. It can be very discouraging for all parties involved. Days and weeks go by with no progress. Months fall away with parents looking back and wondering how they’re still there; how they’ve survived the mysterious world of autism.
Because autism parents are some of the strongest around, they press forward. Even though they may lose their footing on this unsteady passageway from dark to light, they willingly carry the load for their child. They are scared. But they don’t let the fear consume them. They are tired. But they drink their coffee and force a smile. They are ready for progress, and will endlessly fight the barriers to see their child succeed.
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Don’t Look Down
After some time has passed and they find their footing, parents will slowly start to feel a bit of the burden of autism be lifted. They will have the initial shock and dismay behind them and move with more familiar steps. Therapies and doctor visits will no longer be looked at from the perspective of fear. The confidence they carry will now allow them to start talking more about their new life with autism. People will notice their newfound peace and begin to chat with them about questions of their own; seeking advice from a stranger that appears to have it all together. Why it is true, that finally accepting the new role of caregiver is relieving, there are still days that catch them off guard. A child that had once went to the potty on their own, could regress from a brief illness. Parents would find themselves in shock as they replayed the potty training process all over again-as though it never even happened. Such a huge triumph with months of work, literally flushed down the drain.
They take a deep breath and are tempted to accept defeat, but they’re in too deep now. They know their role. The path is familiar. They can almost see the light. With eyes straight forward, they wipe away the tears and keep going.
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You Will Land On Solid Ground
The joy that fills an autism family’s days is like nothing they have experienced before. Yes, days can be hard and long. But those sweet moments of laughter can fill up one’s tank! There are positives in receiving an autism diagnosis.
The strength they gain from wrestling with emotions, therapists, and possibly even school systems, will become their badge. They will enter rooms with more confidence because they know their child is worth it. That kid with the extra special needs was worth the blood, sweat, and tears that brought them through. Autism parents may get down, but they are never ever out. This is their new playing field and they brought their A-game.
Their faith muscle is bulging from the weight and pain it took to get back up from so many failed attempts.
Settled into their new life with autism, they can look back in awe. They know it’s not easy. They realize there are still more bridges to cross. But, they are in it for the long haul. For their sons and daughters. For their family. And for the ones yet to cross the shaky bridge of autism.
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For more on this topic, check out the full Mental Health collection
Featured Contributor: Laura Hurd
A simple Tennesseee special needs mama hoping to encourage moms around the world. Learning to love life and rejoicing that the little things are the big things.
- Website: reallifemomsblog.wordpress.com
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- Twitter: @MomsRealLife
