Did you know this about autism? #6
“Your child is on the autism spectrum.” Of course no parent wants to hear that from a professional or from anyone. Many parents don’t even know what the word is or its ramifications on their child’s life as well as on their own and other family members.
So many years ago when I was dealing with that very statement about our son, Doug, I wish that someone would have told me to say this:
“Our son is autistic and THAT’S OKAY.”
Autism in itself is NOT okay but your child is who he/she is. When I began saying that statement outloud ~ I heard it ~ I felt it ~ I understood it ~ and I could progress from that moment on to deal with it and to accept it.
Autism is not a syndrome to be brushed aside to think or wish it away. As all parents with a child with autism know, it is a journey. In order to take that journey each parent must arm himself with every resource available. That takes strength from both your heart and your head. You pursue every path. You walk in faith that will lead you in the right directions and to the right people. You believe in good and you accept your child’s strengths with wonder and understanding.
So go ahead ~ try it ~ say it out loud ~ because that is where you must start ~ it will make the journey so much easier for your whole family.
MY CHILD IS AUTISTIC AND THAT’S OKAY
Tags: ASD, Autism, Education, Parenting, Speech/Language Therapy
