New realities after ASD diagnosis–Part 1
It’s among the scariest sentences any parent can hear: Your child has autism. The parents of one in every 54 American children will receive this news this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Learning that a child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects families in profound ways and can prompt intense initial reactions that are perfectly understandable: fear or panic, guilt or shame, denial or disbelief.
However, some parents are relieved to finally have a diagnosis—relieved because they've suspected it and they've learned that the diagnosis will connect them to treatments that often make a tremendous difference in the child’s development. In either case, it's helpful for parents and others in the child’s orbit to understand what an ASD diagnosis means and how best to approach it.
Start with a few basic facts about the condition:
· ASD diagnoses are increasing. It’s ten times more likely to be diagnosed today than it was four decades ago.
· ASD is approximately four times more likely to affect boys than girls.
· ASD signs and symptoms vary widely, but most children with ASD have trouble in one or more of three basic areas: interacting with the world, communicating with people, and repetitive interests or behaviors.
· There’s no single identified cause of ASD, though there are a number of underlying factors that make someone more likely to develop the condition. Broadly, these include a combination of genetic, environmental and biological factors. No one is to blame for it.
· ASD takes many forms and affects different people in different ways. Some with ASD are able to speak fluently but have other difficulties with communication such as linking words with eye contact, facial expressions and gestures. Some may struggle with using the right content and delivery at the right time. The difference between mild and severe ASD is defined by the amount of support the individual with autism needs.
What an autism diagnosis means
An ASD diagnosis challenges many people’s most basic assumptions and expectations about family life. But over time, having a family member with ASD is not as devastating as it may seem at first.
As a parent grappling with this new information, you’ll likely move through a series of stages as you gain clarity about what you’ll be facing. While everyone’s experience differs, the process at its most basic level usually looks like this:
· First, you’ll likely experience greater awareness of ASD and its parameters; you may find yourself on a fact-finding mission to learn as much as you can about the condition.
· Then you’ll gain an acceptance of the new reality and an understanding of the ways it affects you, your child, your family and your wider social environment.
· Next, you’ll come to appreciate that ASD isn’t just about weaknesses and deficits—it’s also about strengths and possibilities that other kids don’t have. It’s not all downside; there’s an upside, too. Some of your child’s successes will be because of ASD, not in spite of it. People with ASD are unique and interesting. They aren’t less than; they’re different from.
· Finally, you’ll reach a stage where you feel ready to start taking action and advocating for your child. One goal will be to ensure they get the level and types of support they require as they grow and develop. You’ll find ways to integrate the diagnosis into your family members’ lives. As your child grows, your focus will shift toward helping their life be as independent and fulfilling as possible.
For information on first steps you can take, self-care tips, learning to evaluate information, and long-term helpful strategies, continue reading Part 2 of this blog.
Hope Haven serves children with all kinds of challenges and disabilities, including lots of kids with varying forms of ASD. If you’re not already familiar with our programs, including the evaluation and therapy services we offer, call us at 904-346-5100 to schedule a tour and for more information
Continue to New realities after ASD diagnosis–Part 2