Autism diagnosis can be overwhelming for parents. It may also be challenging to deal with. Parents may have a difficult time coming to terms with their child’s Autism Spectrum Disorder or ASD; more so if they have little to no knowledge about the condition. Parents could also struggle in search of ways for all members of the family to cope and receive support.
The sad thing is, not everyone has access to the right guidance on the necessary steps to be taken after a child’s diagnosis. Fortunately, there are autism centers that provide information, treatment and advice, and partner with local resources for support.
In this blog, we will be talking about how the diagnosis affects siblings, parents, and the whole family.
Educating The Family
Despite being diagnosed, your child will always be the same person you always knew. It is important for parents to understand the need to be educated about their child’s condition. It is the first step towards giving proper care and support for the child. Once parents begin to understand the condition of their child, it is easier to provide the right accommodation, and arrange the necessary support and care to maximize their child’s potential to the fullest.
Parents have the responsibility to ensure that all members of the family are educated- especially siblings. Autistic children will greatly benefit from the understanding and education that family members will get. They will be able to receive appropriate support from their family. Family members, on the other hand, will become sensitive to the needs of their autistic loved ones.
Apart from this, parents should also have self-awareness and evaluate as well as identify their source of strength and coping skills. Learning centers for autism are excellent resources for training, skills, and education for parents and their family members.
Addressing Sibling Needs
Siblings are in a unique position. They have to be able to catch up with their brother or sister’s condition along with their parents. Addressing their needs is equally important. Siblings need to feel appreciated and equally cared for. There should be time dedicated to them so that they don’t feel left behind. Parents should raise them as advocates for their ASD sibling and help them provide the love and support their sibling with ASD needs.
Talk about autism as comfortably as you can. Make them feel they are not alone and their feelings are accepted. Make them understand their sibling’s condition and educate them with ways they can contribute to their sibling’s support system. Create activities that both neurotypical and ASD siblings can enjoy. This will also aid in the development of their social skills. Make these activities something that siblings can look forward to.
Getting The Right Support
Upon diagnosis, starting support services as early as possible is key for their development. Early intervention is the best way to provide your child with the opportunity to live their full potential and improve the long-term results of their treatment. Talking to a specialist and asking for the right support is necessary. It is important to know that children with ASD have varying degrees of intellectual challenges. These can be addressed with the appropriate support.
For instance, speech and language therapy will be beneficial for non-verbal children with autism. Occupational therapy can help them develop essential motor skills and improve their quality of life at home and at school. Each child with ASD has unique needs, so seeking the help of a specialist is vital for them to have a child-specific treatment, tailored to their needs.
Inclusion in Education
Whether a child is autistic or neurotypical, they all have the right to education. Countries around the world have different policies that protect this right. In the UAE, the government has a framework dedicated to the education of children with special needs and determination. For children with ASD, education will include an individualized educational plan or IEP.
An IEP is a tailored educational plan tailored to the needs and educational capabilities of a child with ASD. It aims to provide the best education they can get. It fosters their strengths and improves on their challenges. Obtaining an IEP is usually a long process that involves assessments and meetings with educators and specialists. It is a continuous process up until the child has successfully finished school.
Conclusion
It can be daunting to cope with your child’s ASD diagnosis, but with the right support from a learning and therapy center such as Pulse, it can be manageable. You will be able to discover things you didn’t know you could do, and develop the strength and resilience needed to cope with the challenges in the future. For reference, check out our resilience guide for parenting children with special needs.