Things You Can Do to Be a Support for an Autism Family
It's an extremely emotional moment for a couple when their child gets detected with symptoms of autism. Though a new autism definition excludes a lot of children from getting classified as autistic, it is difficult to ignore the symptoms. What follows is a barrage of emotions that they go through including fear, anger, guilt and depression. Some of us often wonder if there is anything we can do to make their lives easy.
You will notice how quickly parents of an autistic child distance themselves from the society fearing abandonment. Not everyone is supportive when it comes to dealing with an autism family. If you truly feel that you can make a difference to their lives, below mentioned are a few things you can do to lend your support.
a)Make friend with the parents
What the parents of an autistic child need the most is a friend who they can talk to. Just having somebody to listen to their problems can take the load off them. Call them over for a cup of coffee or invite them over for lunches to build a rapport with them.
b)Set up a play date
A revised autism definition has led to a huge dip in the number of diagnoses, but the general perspective of people towards autism remains unchanged. If you are a parent yourself, set up a play date with their kid. Remember autism is not contagious.
Just because you let your child play with another autistic kid is not going to cause any harm. If anything, it will be a start of a beautiful friendship between the two.
c)Do not take anything personally
An autistic child may get unruly at times, as a result of which the parents may go through bouts of depression or anger occasionally. If they happen to behave a little off with you, don't take it to your heart. It really has nothing to do with you per se; they are just bogged down with what they are going through. At such times, it's all the more important for you to be there for them.
d)Ask for support from other parents
A lot of couples are afraid of interacting with parents of special kids. As a friend, you can try talking to such couples and explain them how crucial it is as a society to make lives easier for autism families.
Try clearing off some of the misconceptions that they have about autism and share your experience with them. Tell them it's absolutely okay for their children to play with an autistic child. A revision of autism definition may seem like a bonus to some parents as it excludes several kids from being tagged as autistic.
e)Spread awareness not gossip
The last thing you want to do to an autism family is break their trust. All the emotions that they share with you do not need to be discussed with other couples. Do not gossip about issues that an autism family is very sensitive to. If you cannot help in spreading awareness about autism, at least don't talk behind their backs.
f) Appreciate them
Do tell them how strong they are as a couple to have gone through so much and how wonderfully they are handling everything. Sometimes these few words could mean a lot to them, especially coming from a close friend. You may not realize how a few kind words can make a big difference to them.
You will notice how quickly parents of an autistic child distance themselves from the society fearing abandonment. Not everyone is supportive when it comes to dealing with an autism family. If you truly feel that you can make a difference to their lives, below mentioned are a few things you can do to lend your support.
a)Make friend with the parents
What the parents of an autistic child need the most is a friend who they can talk to. Just having somebody to listen to their problems can take the load off them. Call them over for a cup of coffee or invite them over for lunches to build a rapport with them.
b)Set up a play date
A revised autism definition has led to a huge dip in the number of diagnoses, but the general perspective of people towards autism remains unchanged. If you are a parent yourself, set up a play date with their kid. Remember autism is not contagious.
Just because you let your child play with another autistic kid is not going to cause any harm. If anything, it will be a start of a beautiful friendship between the two.
c)Do not take anything personally
An autistic child may get unruly at times, as a result of which the parents may go through bouts of depression or anger occasionally. If they happen to behave a little off with you, don't take it to your heart. It really has nothing to do with you per se; they are just bogged down with what they are going through. At such times, it's all the more important for you to be there for them.
d)Ask for support from other parents
A lot of couples are afraid of interacting with parents of special kids. As a friend, you can try talking to such couples and explain them how crucial it is as a society to make lives easier for autism families.
Try clearing off some of the misconceptions that they have about autism and share your experience with them. Tell them it's absolutely okay for their children to play with an autistic child. A revision of autism definition may seem like a bonus to some parents as it excludes several kids from being tagged as autistic.
e)Spread awareness not gossip
The last thing you want to do to an autism family is break their trust. All the emotions that they share with you do not need to be discussed with other couples. Do not gossip about issues that an autism family is very sensitive to. If you cannot help in spreading awareness about autism, at least don't talk behind their backs.
f) Appreciate them
Do tell them how strong they are as a couple to have gone through so much and how wonderfully they are handling everything. Sometimes these few words could mean a lot to them, especially coming from a close friend. You may not realize how a few kind words can make a big difference to them.
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