Navigating early signs
Navigating early signs
These look different for every family. Some children hit their milestones as per what is recommended and then they start losing words, start displaying odd behaviours and generally not able to do the things they could before. Some children are just seen as quirky. For us, because my son was prem, I just assumed that he was behind due to that, but there was the rocking, being fascinated with lights and a lot of other signs.
By sweeping these behaviours under the rug or ignoring them is not doing your child any favours. I am not saying to not accept them, because this is part of the process, but acknowledging that your child may need a bit of help. The earlier you can do this, the better. We often don’t want to know that our children are different, it is sad and worrying. This means a lot of things for us as parents and as emotional adults.
Navigating early signs
Once we realise that we are dealing with different, we tend to go into denial. We do display all the signs of grief and more so when we finally get help, go to a specialist or get diagnosed. In my case, even though my son had seen a number of specialists, not one of them said that he could be autistic. My brother asked me to speak to a friend of his who had an older autistic child and she “diagnosed” him. Up until then I was just hoping he was just quirky.
So while I was perhaps still in denial of his situation, I still went ahead and put him in a specialized school while awaiting a formal diagnosis. It takes us a while to go through the grieving process to get to a place of acceptance. This journey also looks different for every family and parent.
Supporting Families with Autistic Children
As a qualified life coach and a parent of an autistic child, I bring a unique blend of professional expertise and personal understanding to my work with families dealing with autism. My journey as a parent has equipped me with firsthand insights into the challenges and triumphs that come with raising an autistic child.
I specialise in offering tailored support and compassionate guidance to families navigating similar paths.
My approach is empathetic and informed, focusing on empowering families to not only manage but also to celebrate the unique aspects of life with an autistic child. Through personalised coaching sessions, I provide effective strategies, support for enhancing family dynamics, and techniques for positive communication.
My goal is to help families foster a deeper understanding of autism and find balance and joy in their lives.
Just remember that our children are still the same little beings after the diagnosis as before, they have not changed. What is different is our thoughts and feelings about the situation. And it from this place that we make or don’t make decisions. Our first line of action is to get our children the help that they need. Our second line of action is to get help for ourselves. This is a tough journey for us, but it does not have to be.
Navigating early signs
Getting the help you need to start navigating all things autism is important, because directly affects your child and how you show up for your child. Getting help for you will look like going through the process of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and finally to acceptance. Acceptance is where we all need to get to in order to make a real difference in our lives and our childrens’ lives.
Once we hit acceptance, we are more open to what we can do, we are creative in getting our children help and setting up our homes and the family for success. There is a lot of information about autism out there and it can also be really overwhelming and my suggestion is just to take it one step in a time. You know your child better than anyone, you know what they struggle with.
Research
So do your research only on what they are struggling with. Find answers, find tips, find practical help and then do those things. If your child does not battle with picky eating, ignore it, if they don’t do the escape artist thing, don’t read about it. Only focus on what is relevant for your child. You have enough to deal with as is.
Look at your child as if they are the most amazing little humans there are. They are unique and different and they will show you in so many ways who they are and what they love. If you are stuck in your head wanting to do, help and focusing on autism, you will miss the very things that are so special about your child. These things are to be celebrated, these are your big moments and so special.
Join communities, there are so many out there, including this one, which will help you, share similar stories and support you on this journey. You are not alone and this is the most incredible journey if you let it be. I am here for you.
Till next week.
A
Xxx
1:1 Coaching
By taking care of yourself, making sure that you are in the correct frame of mind, will make a huge difference to your child. If you are feeling overwhelmed, frustrated or just plain lost, join me for 1:1 coaching.
I will help you deal with all the feelings, making you feel stronger emotionally to deal with your journey. We will focus on self-care as well as having a life beyond autism, all of which will by default help you child live the best life they can through you.
Email me at he***@ll*******.net
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