How to Help Others Understand Your Autistic Child

As parents, it can be daunting if your child is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. On receiving such a diagnosis, you may be wondering how this will affect them, their relationship with others around them and their future. 

You may also be wondering how you can explain this diagnosis to loved ones, friends and family. Of course, you must take the time to accept the diagnosis yourself and learn what you can before breaking the news to others. Perfecting this might take some time.

What You Need to Know About Autism Before Discussing It With Others.

You might want to research several things before you decide to share your child’s diagnosis with others. Knowing these things can help you adequately explain ASD and answer any question you may receive:

• The early signs of autism.
• How it affects their social communication skills and how they interact with others.
• Distinct behavioural autism patterns that children might display.
• Common misconceptions about autism include the cause, autism medications and cures for autism.
• How ASD is commonly treated, and which intervention method and autism services you plan to use.

It can also be very helpful to research ways to discuss autism in a positive, constructive way and react to questions effectively. Ensure that the conversation is taking place in a neutral, comfortable setting and that you have enough information to keep the conversation going.

Tips For Explaining Autism To Family, Friends, and Other Kids.

Although explaining autism to others might not be the easiest task, it is crucial that you can aid others in understanding your child with autism effectively. Here are some tips to help you explain ASD to others:

1. Come to Terms With the Diagnosis Yourself. Parents of autistic children may face some hurdles in processing their child’s diagnosis. Many times the feelings that accompany this news can be overwhelming and confusing. Many parents may experience devastation for their kids while also having an eagerness to assist them and learn about the disorder. That is why it is crucial that you have accepted the diagnosis and processed these emotions before you break the news to others.
2. Make Sure to Cover the Most Basic Information first. Although most people have heard about autism, it is possible that most people have a warped or incomplete understanding of the disorder. Before becoming too technical and using jargon and complex terms, make sure that you first cover the basics of autism. Explain the autism meaning, how it affects your child’s social and communication skills, etc.
3. Share Any Information That is Relevant or Specific to Your Child. People may not understand that autism symptoms may differ from one autistic person to another (such as fewer symptoms in high functioning autism and mild autism as opposed to severe autism). It can help to explain the autism spectrum and how autism affects your child specifically.
4. Give others advice on how they can interact with your child. Family, friends, and children may have difficulties understanding autism the first time you explain it. It might help them understand and embrace autism in your child if you give them suggestions on interacting and communicating with your child. Although you won’t necessarily need to share your child’s autism treatment plans with everyone, sharing these suggestions may be beneficial for those who are sometimes responsible for your child’s care, such as teachers or grandparents and your child’s friends’ parents.

It is good to consult with a professional who can help you to adequately understand autism and how you can explain it to others around you. There are also several resources that you can use (or recommend to others) to help you define autism signs, causes and misconceptions. These resources include articles, books and movies about autism.