Parenting a child with autism can be very different from parenting a neurotypical child. There are many challenges but there are also many rewards. One thing that seems to be universal is that children with autism require more of parents, including more time, effort, and patience. As another year of parenting a child with autism begins for many families, the following are some resolutions to consider that may help in the new year.
Take Care of Yourself
Children with autism can require 100% of our attention and be very consuming, but it is important to find some time for yourself. You need to take care of yourself or you may not be able to take adequate care of your child with autism.
It may be hard to find time, but even a ten-minute mindfulness meditation can help. There are many that are available and free on YouTube. You can also download Calm, Headspace, or other mindfulness apps that provide brief but effective meditations.
You may not feel that you have time for the things that you enjoy, but even a small amount of time doing something that really matters to you can give you energy and perspective. Whether it is reading, exercising, watching a favorite TV show, or whatever else you enjoy, the time that you can spend just disconnecting for a bit can be priceless.
Practice Acceptance
Accept that your child is a unique individual who is also autistic. Each child with autism will learn new skills and make progress at their own pace. Your child’s life and your life will be, as Dr. Temple Grandin has said, “different, not less.” The challenges can be great but the successes can be as well. If you can accept who your child is, and where they are, you will be able to feel the joy in every step they accomplish.
Spend Time with Your Child
Parents may spend so much time ensuring that their child receives the services they need, as well as taking care of the rest of the family, that there is little time left to spend with their child with autism. In addition, it may be difficult to spend time with a child with autism due to their behaviors, lack of language, or limited interests.
Even though it may be difficult, it is important that you spend time with your child. This will help you to learn more about them, including what might trigger behaviors, and how they may be trying to communicate with you. It may also help you learn which things might interest them that you can do with them to connect with them.
The people providing services to your child will change over the years but you, the parents, will always be there. Parental engagement and involvement are the constants that will ensure that your child has the best outcome.
Spend Time with Other Families of Special Needs Children
There are many, many families with children with special needs. They are a community that will provide you with understanding and support. The experiences that you share with each other can help you find ways to deal with specific issues and help you realize that you are not alone.
Although social media allows for interaction, it does not provide the opportunity to have a meaningful conversation. Social media can, however, be a good way to find out about opportunities to meet with other parents in person, either with or without your child. Special Olympics and other sports accept children at all skill levels. They are an excellent way to meet and visit with other families while your child enjoys the experience of playing and succeeding in sports.
Get the Most from ABA Therapy
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the most effective therapy your child with autism will receive. Not only is it the most effective, but it is the only therapy that your child will be able to receive intensively over a period of years, and with individual ABA therapists and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) dedicated to them for the number of hours they need each week to get the full benefit of the therapy.
Parents are an important part of the team in ABA therapy and have a role to play in maximizing their child’s progress. You can maximize your child’s progress in ABA therapy by attending all parent training sessions so that you can learn as much as possible about your child and how you can help them. Parents can also help by taking data or providing information that may be requested by the BCBA. Regular, ongoing communication with your child’s BCBA to let them know about any issues or changes in medication will help the BCBA provide better ABA therapy to your child.
New Year, New Start
The beginning of the year is the time that we designate as a time to consider ways that we can make improvements, but we can decide to make changes and improvements at any time. Action taken in any of the areas listed above at any time of the year can have meaningful results.
At Steps to Progress, we are here to support parents of children with autism as they work to help their child reach their potential. Please reach out and let us know how we can help you.
