1. Focus on the Family
When a child is diagnosed with autism, families often go into crisis mode and focus all of their attention and resources on that child. The singular goal often becomes getting treatment for that child at all costs. While treating your child should certainly become a top priority within your family, it should not come at the expense of the family unit. In most cases, autism is a lifetime disorder, and you have to prepare to live with it in your family. To that end, you cannot sacrifice yourself or the other members of your family.
It's important to involve your whole family in working with your child with autism. Educating your other children and other members of your family about the disorder and the treatments you are seeking will help prevent feelings of resentment and abandonment that are common in families dealing with autism. Additionally, it's important to spend one-on-one time with the other members of your family so that they get some of your attention as well. Some experts recommend taking vacations without your autistic child so that your other children can get away from the stress of living with the disorder. When you and the other members of your family are not overwhelmed by the constant strain of having to manage a child with autism, everyone benefits.
2. Reach Out to Others for Support
Creating a support system for you and your family is essential to learning to cope with an autism diagnosis. Often an autism diagnosis can cause you to retreat from social activities to focus on getting treatment for your child. Reaching out to friends, family members and your community, however, can help you create a network of support that will strengthen your child's treatment. Your support system should be multi-tiered and include people whom you can rely on for different kinds of support: emotional, informational and practical.
Having friends and family members you can trust that you can go to with your emotional frustrations and concerns is important to maintaining your emotional health and helping your cope. Likewise, you should encourage the other members of your immediate family to vent their feelings to someone they trust. Informational support can come from your therapists, doctors, online resources and support groups in your community. The more educated you become about autism, the more effectively and confidently you will be able to advocate for your child. Finally, it's important to have some practical support in your corner in the form of friends or family you can call on when you need a sitter or have an errand to do. The more people you can comfortably ask for help, the better.
3. Plan for the Future
When you have a child with a disability like autism, it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Your fear of what she may never do can keep you from seeing what she may be able to do. While they may live independently, continue to live at home or live in managed group facilities, many children with autism can grow up to lead productive and fulfilling lives, particularly if they get quality therapy early on. Starting to plan for your child's future both practically and financially can help take some of the anxiety out of wondering what the future may bring.
