It’s a shocking point in your life where you get to know that your child has been diagnosed with autism. Suddenly you start experiencing different feelings. Your life might feel completely different from what you planned. You start worrying about your child and his career. You’re concerned about the everyday complexities and challenges of autistic care for your child. This is a major tipping point in your life and also the future of your child and other members of your family. During this time, it will be crucial to get emotional help and reliable resources to help you survive and maintain a positive future for your family and children.

The common reactions:

Based on many aspects, the response of each family to the diagnosis will be distinct. Parents and relatives often feel an assortment of conflicting emotions and thoughts when a child is diagnosed with autism. Many parents are shocked when they came to know that their child has autism or is going through regressive autism. You may go to phases of skepticism or fail to accept that your child is experiencing this. You will not be prepared to understand the facts throughout this period, as they relate and refer to your child.

There have been moments when you may feel lonely and isolated. Such thoughts come from a variety of places as you undergo diagnosis or other dramatic changes in your life. Anxiety can also come from not thinking you have the time to visit a company, friends or family. It’s easy to get confused by your thoughts and your worries about what the future might hold. Distressing feelings are normal. When you embrace your feelings and understand your thoughts, you will grow up and start advocating for your child suffering from autistic disorder.

Addressing Common Areas of Concern

When you get to know about autism, your role and duties as a parent will shift and in your new role, you’ll experience many positive and negative situations and emotions. Read out the run down some new feelings you may encounter.

You might feel pressurized due to the everyday responsibilities of raising an autistic child
You could face challenging situations to learn about autism immediately as you are not an expert
Difficulty in managing time for everyday work and domestic tasks

The parental role

When your child is first diagnosed, you’ll find yourself playing several tasks and roles such as a therapist, a friend, parent, a care coordinator, a mentor and so on. In such situations performing and working as your child’s advocate is crucial. It will be an everlasting journey with many challenges. We have summed up some important principles for parents to serve as an effective advocate. Read them below.

Accept the situation. Take responsibility. Don’t forget that you are a leader.
You are not an expert with autistic disorder. So don’t worry and start learning about it.
Think Critically – Be discerning
Speak with Authority- Be proactive
Educate – Be a voice for your child

How to look after and support your other children?

Parents of autistic children will feel immense stress. It might seem as though there is still not enough space or time to do whatever needs to get done. Their primary and core concerns are on autistic child and they find it difficult to devote their quality time to other children.

Siblings of an autistic child frequently face challenges and ups and downs. Sometimes they need help to identify and understand the emotional reactions that they experience as a result of several changes that occur in their lifestyles. This assistance is vital to their long term success.

Do you know about the factors and the things your other children may be experiencing and struggling with? Read them below.

Young children might not realize what their autistic brother or sister is going through. They may be puzzled and therefore unable to fully grasp the diagnosis ramifications.
They may feel upset and angry once they see that their guardians are not spending enough time with them compared to another autistic brother or sister.
At certain points in life, they may be frustrated at unjust treatment. They might think that they are not treated the same way their autistic sibling is being treated.
They may experience discomfort around friends or in group settings where people respond adversely due to the unusual and at times offensive actions of their siblings.
They are often disappointed and frustrated that they can not get their brother or sister to react or respond or communicate with them in a normal or usual manner
Sometimes the siblings are quite worried about their autistic sibling as everybody in a family is in some way affected by the disorder

Methodologies and tactics to support your other children:

Teach your kids the tactics of building relationships with their autistic sibling. There are a few basic steps you can take, like showing your other children how to catch the focus and attention of their siblings and give simple guidance and direction.
Try finding out communities and platforms that can help your other children to build a friendly relationship. Ask them about their experiences with their autistic sibling. This will help to strengthen the bond among your children.
Do not hesitate to contact an expert if you suspect that your kid internalizes most of his or her emotions and thoughts or starts acting out.

Take care of yourself

Taking care of an autistic child can be both physically challenging and emotionally draining. Responsibilities in parenting can cause exceptional stress. It is not easy to try to align your time and effort with the requirements of your other children. To maintain balance in such scenarios take time.

Sit down and take a deep breath for 10 minutes a day. You need to take care of yourself if you want to take care of others. Enjoy some quality time with yourself. Relax and enjoy with your partner and family. Several other parents say that they were provided the encouragement and support during one of the most difficult times by long-lasting friendships. If you feel isolated from your friend circle, try to take action.