Raising a Child with Autism

When a child is born, most parents immediately know if their child is healthy, or if the child has medical issues that need to be addressed. However, some parents are stunned several years into their child's development when they realize that the child has autism, a complex developmental disability that typically manifests itself during the first three years of life.

I was one of those stunned parents, when in 2001 my son, then 2 ½ years old, was diagnosed with autism. While it has been a challenge, I have learned to adjust to a life that is somewhat different than the one I had in mind. When thrown a curveball like autism, there are several things a parent can do to ease the devastation they may feel once they receive that diagnosis.

According to the Autism Society of America, as many as 1.5 million Americans today are believed to have some form of autism. This condition is the result of a neurological disorder that affects the normal functioning of the brain, impacting development in the areas of social interaction and communication.

While everyone with autism is different, the underlying range of characteristics is pretty much the same.

I had heard about autism before, but didn't really know much about it, and here I was, thrown into this new world. Being a parent is scary, but the autism diagnosis made it 10 times scarier, and I needed to do something.

The first thing I did was research. I wanted to read and learn everything I could about autism. Understanding the condition that your child has helps you to relate to them better. Just as important, however, is studying your child. See what makes them tick. While you may be frustrated with their behavior, it helps to understand why they do certain things or have certain habits. With having knowledge of the condition to back up what you already know about your child, you can create the most comfortable and healthy environment for him or her.