It is said that around one in every 68 children will be diagnosed with autism at some point, and this idea can be a frightening one for parents. It can be even more worrying when the diagnosis actually comes, and their child is placed on the autistic spectrum. This is entirely understandable, but it doesn’t have to be a negative thing. Being armed with as many facts as possible, and understanding what you can about autism and its many different parts, means you and your child can live a happy, healthy, fulfilling life, no matter what diagnosis they may have had. Read on to find out what some of these facts are, and how you can make the most of your life together. 

There Is Help

First and foremost, the most important thing you need to know about an autism diagnosis for your child, is that there is help out there and that looking for that help, asking for it, and accepting it, is all-important. There is nothing to be ashamed of. There is never any need to do anything alone, and that includes raising a child who is on the autistic spectrum. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and that is always true, autism or not, so why not accept the help that exists? 

It will often begin with formal, expert help from a medical specialist. However, over time this assistance may evolve into a variety of different forms such as internet groups of people going through the same thing, websites such as www.autismparentingmagazine.com/, and support groups that you can attend, either in a face to face setting or virtually. You’ll know what works best for you, and although it might take some experimentation to determine the optimum resources for your situation, there is something out there. 

Not All Autism Is The Same

If you hear the word ‘autism’ you might not immediately know what it means for you and your child, and that’s because not all forms of autism are the same. That’s why there is an autism spectrum, and different traits, behaviors, and symptoms, will show themselves depending on where on the spectrum your child is. 

Diagnosing autism is not an exact science, and nothing is set in stone. The spectrum is a fluid one, and things will change as time goes by, and whether that’s your understanding of the condition, the way your child grows up, or even new medication and treatment techniques, where they are on the spectrum now could be a different place to where they will be in a year’s time, five years’ time, 20 years’ time.

Never compare your child’s version of autism with someone else’s, as this is not helpful and won’t give you a full picture of your own child’s needs and abilities. Instead, focus on your child’s own particular traits and work with them to create a life for you all.  

Non-Verbal Doesn’t Mean They Have Nothing To Say

Some children with autism are non-verbal, which essentially means they don’t speak. However, that doesn’t mean that that child has nothing to say, and there are many different ways to communicate that don’t involve words. Just because a child doesn’t speak, that doesn’t mean they’re not highly intelligent and able to do well at school, go to college, and get a job when they are older. 

We do live in a world that is very focused on words and speaking, but once you realize that there are other options (including sign language, for example) and that thoughts and feelings can be expressed, everything will open up to you, and them.