| It's hard to be a mom. Whether or not you are | | | | better anyway, put on some music that you like or |
| employed, you have to care for your children, plan | | | | read a chapter in your book. You need to divert your |
| meals, consider nutrition, keep house and so on. Being | | | | focus away from your child for a short time; it will give |
| the mother of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder | | | | you perspective and a moment to calm yourself. |
| (ASD) only makes it harder. The following are some | | | | Tip Two: Be Informed. Autism is a spectrum. Find out |
| tips for keeping sane while you care for a child who | | | | from your doctor, your local Autism support group or |
| has even more challenges than normal. | | | | online where on the spectrum your child falls. Some |
| Tip One: Be yourself. Resentment, fatigue, even dislike, | | | | people with autism have actually grown up to be |
| can build to a fever pitch if you haven't taken some | | | | self-sufficient, successful adults. Temple Grandin is a |
| time for you. Lock yourself in the bathroom if you | | | | successful woman who has Autism Spectrum |
| must. Go for a quick drive or walk around the | | | | Disorder. Learn about ways you can support your child |
| neighborhood. Do whatever you have to do to get | | | | and help him to achieve his potential. You will be a |
| some peace. If you just can't escape the current | | | | more confident mom if you are armed with |
| meltdown, and your child's meltdown isn't going to get | | | | information. |