| When your child has autism it can be a very | | | | information on autism you should first learn as |
| difficult situation to deal with. Oftentimes, parents | | | | much about the disorder as you can. If you are |
| may suspect there is something developmentally | | | | going to approach parents and suggest a diagnosis |
| wrong with their child, but consciously coming to | | | | of autism, you should know what you're talking |
| grips with the situation can be extremely hard to | | | | about. Furthermore, it is a good idea to be |
| accept. There are many cases where an autistic | | | | supportive and honest when you tell someone |
| child is treated as if he or she is a completely | | | | you believe their child is autistic. Remember many |
| normal child, out of a sort of blind, but wishful | | | | people do not fully understand what autism really |
| thinking, and these situations can be particularly | | | | is, so it will be up to you to be able to explain the |
| troubling, for parents and child. | | | | disorder and answer any of their initial questions. |
| If you know someone close to you and you | | | | In addition, autistic children, like other children with |
| believe their child has autism, it is best that you | | | | developmental disabilities, have special needs. If |
| voice your concerns even if you risk upsetting | | | | you really want to help, you should be ready to |
| the parents. The reason being is the quicker a | | | | provide information on how to access services |
| diagnoses is confirmed, the faster interventions | | | | that address the special needs of the child in |
| and treatment can be started. Simply ignoring the | | | | question. When a parent faces the fact that her |
| problem will never make it go away. In fact, | | | | child may be autistic, it can be an overwhelming |
| pretending that a child does not have autism can | | | | sensation due to the fact that the resulting |
| actually exacerbate symptoms and problematic | | | | changes will be life-altering for the people directly |
| behaviors instead of redefining and helping to | | | | involved. |
| structure them. Raising an autistic child, depending | | | | When you raise your concerns with someone in |
| on the severity of the disorder, can be an | | | | your family or really close to you, you should |
| extraordinarily difficult task that can take both an | | | | always try to do so sensitively - pick your |
| emotional and physical toll on parents and family | | | | moment and don't just blurt it out at a family |
| members. | | | | gathering or in public. Remember, the news you |
| However, there are forms of treatment and | | | | are going to deliver can be initially devastating. |
| interventions that can truly help, so the sooner a | | | | Make sure you know enough so you can answer |
| child is diagnosed the easier it can be. | | | | the majority of questions that will be thrown at |
| Basic psychology suggests that when you | | | | you. Most importantly, be yourself and make sure |
| approach someone about a potentially troubling | | | | the person knows that you care and are |
| situation it is better for all concerned if the | | | | concerned for them and their child. |
| situation is handled in a gentle manner. Obviously, | | | | Try to offer information about methods of |
| if you are going to tell someone close to you that | | | | treatment that will shed some positive slant on |
| you believe their child is autistic, it pays to be | | | | autism. Inform your friend or family member that |
| sensitive. If you are straightforward and discuss | | | | there are thousands of scientists and researchers |
| the matter in a calm, sensitive way, you can | | | | working on ways to better treat autism. You |
| avert any possible hostility in return. Many parents | | | | should also have a list of resources available. This |
| may react angrily and deny the suggestion their | | | | list can include websites, local clinics, cutting-edge |
| child is autistic, so it is probably a good idea to | | | | research and anything else you feel can give a |
| have some literature with you to back up why | | | | realistic, but positive approach to autism. Have a |
| you feel their child may be autistic. It is also | | | | look through the previous posts on the blog for |
| important to explain the different levels of autism | | | | links to sites that could provide a great starting |
| and their effects. | | | | point for a parent learning about autism for the |
| If you are prepared to provide some meaningful | | | | first time. |