| The news that a child in the family is autistic is most | | | | refuses your explanation, ask why this family member |
| often met with a number of reactions. While all family | | | | is so unreceptive to the situation. Are they scared of |
| members, even extended, would be supportive in an | | | | hurting the child? Are they worried about the added |
| ideal world, the sad truth is that many are disgusted or | | | | responsibility when spending time with the child? |
| disappointed. Does a family member scold the autistic | | | | Perhaps they feel guilty or are embarrassed. If you |
| child often? Does he or she look at your autistic child | | | | can pinpoint why a family member is unreceptive, you |
| unfairly? Does this family member insist on treating | | | | can better address the issue and hopefully help him or |
| your autistic child the same way he or she treats all | | | | her overcome their original perceptions. |
| the other children in your family, even when it is | | | | Perhaps no amount of talking or spending time |
| inappropriate? These are signs that this relative is not | | | | together will help this family member overcome their |
| receptive to either your autistic child or the situation. | | | | prejudice. If this person has stubbornly made up his or |
| This may often be the case when discovering a child | | | | her mind, you will never be able to show him or her |
| is autistic, so as a parent, be aware and prepared for | | | | how beautiful your son or daughter is autism and all. If |
| this to happen. | | | | this is the case, eliminating this person from your life |
| Often, unreceptive relatives simply do not understand | | | | may be difficult, but it will also rid you and your child of |
| what autism is or what it means for your child and | | | | this family member's negative energy and personality. |
| your immediate family. Though many see autism as a | | | | In this developing situation, you need the best positive |
| mental retardation, many autistic children and adults are | | | | support available. Remember that other family |
| highly intelligent; they are just unable to communicate | | | | members have been supportive; that your children are |
| this in the same ways that others would. Try explaining | | | | adjusting well and are a source of strength for you. |
| what autism means to this family member, and have | | | | Strengthen your support network by participating in |
| him or her spend some time with you and your autistic | | | | parent support groups for autistic children. And |
| child. Allow them to see the effects of autism and the | | | | remember that you can surround yourself with those |
| methods you can use to cope. | | | | who do accept and love your child's family or not. |
| If the family member continues to be unsupportive or | | | | |