| You received the unexpected news that your child is | | | | concerned about what my friends would think, how |
| now diagnosed with autism. You are stunned, shocked. | | | | could I have them over for a pizza party, how could I |
| Do you feel you are inadequate, to cope with this | | | | explain to my friends that my brother was not one of |
| news? These feelings you have are normal. Do not | | | | us. He was different and difficult. |
| allow them to have power over you, or let them stop | | | | As I grew older with age, I realized how special my |
| you from moving forward in a healthy direction. | | | | brother was to me. He taught me that I was not |
| Use your feelings and thoughts by directing them to | | | | inadequate, and I learned to cope with his disorder. I |
| build a future. There will be challenges, but you need to | | | | was taught by my brother, patience, compassion, |
| keep on keeping on. Remember, you will get through | | | | learning levels of acceptance of who you are and |
| the challenges of bringing your child up in a healthy | | | | strengths, that my other family members and friends |
| environment. Each day it will become easier to cope, | | | | did not have. |
| and you will realize you are not inadequate to do it. | | | | Do not feel you need to measure up to others, or you |
| You will not be able to control the news that your child | | | | are inadequate to cope, or people would think less of |
| is diagnosed with autism, but you can control what | | | | you, and not understand your situation because you |
| happens to him or her. You are in charge to make | | | | have a child with autism. |
| good choices. By doing this, you will become stronger | | | | News can be shocking at times, especially when you |
| to cope, and gain positive strength that will prevent you | | | | have the truth that your child is autistic. But remember, |
| from feeling inadequate. | | | | you are not inadequate to cope with the news. This is |
| If you feel you are inadequate to cope with the news | | | | a time when feelings can be put to a test, and the |
| that your child has been diagnosed with autism, find | | | | challenges can be charged into positive long term |
| other parent(s), caregiver(s), who share similar feelings, | | | | results. |
| and network with them, talk about your feelings, and | | | | Your child with autism will bring you joy, and strengthen |
| how you can learn, and grow to make them become | | | | you. Love your child, he or she is special, so are you. |
| positive. | | | | Learn from your child who has been diagnosed with |
| I remember, when my brother had his disorder it | | | | autism. He or she is a gift, and your are appointed to |
| became painful to me, especially when I became a | | | | raise him or her, by doing your very best that you |
| teenager. I felt inadequate, I could not cope. I was so | | | | know how to do. |