| If your child is on the autism spectrum, the chances are | | | | role of a parent is to love, educate and support your |
| you suffer from guilt. Paradoxically, parents of autism | | | | child. You provide your child with values, teach right |
| spectrum kids are one of the most proactive groups | | | | from wrong, build their self esteem and guide them to |
| that exist. While they commonly feel they're not doing | | | | become happy, independent adults. |
| enough, these parents should be honored and | | | | When you have a child with autism, you become a |
| commended. They're able to cope with more in a day, | | | | teacher. The role of a teacher is to educate a child. |
| a month and a year than most can conceive of coping | | | | Whether it's a small task or a large task, teachers use |
| with in a lifetime. Their resilience, creativity and | | | | every opportunity to educate a child. As a parent of a |
| persistence help their children progress and reach | | | | child on the spectrum it's difficult to maintain a balance. |
| potential that nobody thought possible. | | | | While you want your child to learn as much as |
| The next time the guilt factor sets in, keep it in | | | | possible, you also simply want to be a parent. |
| perspective and remember the following points. | | | | The next time the guilt factor sets in because you're |
| YOU'RE NOT ALONE | | | | not teaching your child at every moment, release it |
| You are a great parent. You are your child's best | | | | immediately. Your child loves it when you're just being |
| advocate. You have a lot on your plate. Your days | | | | a Mom or just being a Dad. While it's perfectly fine to |
| are often filled with a great deal of mental anguish and | | | | teach some of the time, a healthy balance leads to a |
| emotional stress. You help your child through small | | | | healthy relationship between you and your child. Enjoy |
| activities that most parents don't even think about. You | | | | those moments with your child. Even if they aren't |
| fight for services and the best class placement. It can | | | | typical interactions, they're certainly fun! |
| be tiring. It can be exhausting. As you look around, you | | | | ACCEPTANCE |
| often feel that other parents are doing a better job. | | | | On asking adults with autism "What's the single piece |
| Realize they think the same of you. The guilt factor | | | | of advice you would give to parents of autism |
| impedes their life too. Parents of autism spectrum kids | | | | spectrum kids". The answer is almost always a |
| have a common bond. They understand, they | | | | unanimous "Unconditional love and acceptance." For |
| empathize and they spur each other on. If you declare | | | | just a moment, view your child's perspective. Almost |
| "My 6 year old dressed independently today" they | | | | every action gets corrected. Almost every behavior is |
| rejoice with you, because they too appreciate every | | | | modified. Method of play is considered inappropriate. |
| milestone, large or small. | | | | Self stimulatory behavior is often halted. Your child is |
| ORGANIZATIONS | | | | constantly being told to think, talk and act in a way that |
| Parents of children with autism have been the catalyst | | | | is foreign to his inner nature. It can't be easy to keep |
| of some of the largest and most successful | | | | one's self esteem intact. |
| establishments for helping those on the spectrum. This | | | | I certainly advocate teaching as many skills as possible |
| is on a worldwide basis. A large number of autism | | | | to help your child function in life. However, it's essential |
| schools have been driven by parents. Special | | | | your child knows you believe he is perfect just the |
| education distributors and manufacturers often have | | | | way he is. It's simply unfortunate that others might |
| parents at the helm. Researchers and educators are | | | | have difficulty understanding him. |
| often parents. Non profit establishments have teams | | | | Your child should intrinsically know the reason he's |
| of dedicated parents who are committed to helping | | | | learning new skills and altering his behavior is not |
| those on the spectrum. | | | | because you want to change him, but because it will |
| You might not be part of one of these establishments | | | | help others relate to him, grant him acceptance and |
| but you have made a difference. It's the combined | | | | allow him to lead a more productive life. |
| unity of parents and a strong voice when advocating | | | | The next time you feel guilty about not correcting your |
| for your child that calls these organizations into being. | | | | child's behavior or mannerisms, remember that |
| RELATIONSHIPS | | | | delighting in your child's unique qualities is just as |
| When your child is born you are instantly a parent. The | | | | important as teaching appropriate actions. |