Autism Parenting Starting The Journey

This book is for anyone starting on the journey of being a parent to an autistic child.A few years back, I learnt my son was autistic, however I didn't know what that meant. It was just a word. Was it a condition, or a disability or just a different personality type and what impact would it have?Back then I went hunting for information, much of it contradictory, much of it worrying, much of it written with a certainty that wasn't justified.What I needed were examples of the types of situations I would face and concerns I would have as a parent trying to do their best for a child I didn't fully understand.Key to that, I really could have done with someone simply saying that giving time is the main thing. Play with your child, get to know them, engage in their interests and the rest will follow.Yes, do reading, worry about schools and jobs and other stuff off in the future but right now all that can wait. Just engage with a child to whom you are everything.Writing the book has been cathartic and yet it is a book that both is and isn't personal.It is personal in that it is written from experience rather than by an expert on all things autism, it is also personal in that it is written as a reminder to myself to follow the principles contained within.At the same time, while it is shaped by my son, it is not a book about him and nor is it a book for me.It is a book for you, right now.Your child is autistic, you will have a sense that makes things different.In this book I'll talk through examples, whether it is small allowances like engaging in niche interests or ruling out certain venues, or bigger concerns such as battling for suitable educational provision.What binds the topics together is an urge to do what's best for your child, only without certainty as to what best actually looks like.There are 10 key messages.1) Most parents to autistic children will have similar concerns, it is worth remembering that you are not alone2) There is no destination, only progress3) You will become the world's leading expert on your child. Carry this confidence around with you - listen to others but don't downplay your own experience and knowledge.4) Spend time with your child, if they have an interest embrace it as if it's your own. An autistic child may not grow up to have a large social group, arguably this makes their relationship with those closest to them all the more important5) Don't be too hard on yourself. Things go wrong even when perfectly planned. Everyone gets frustrated. If you have a bad five minutes, don't let it become a bad hour. If you have a bad day, don't let it become a bad week.6) Develop a thick skin. Your child will have meltdowns, they might, if they're anything like mine, say the odd random thing that you might feel the need to apologise for. Deal with it, move on and forget about it. Do not allow the past to limit the present7) Don't overstate the impact of autism - every family has struggles, every child is challenging. Do not frame each challenge as if it is caused by autism.8) It's the environment and society that needs to change, not your child. The world is not set up with autistic children in mind, that's not their fault. They need to learn to cope, but not to be someone they are not.9) Remember that although your autistic child has needs so too does everyone in the family unit. This especially applies to any siblings, their needs cannot be compromised.10) Right now matters more than the future.In this book, every chapter starts You Will, yet that suggests a certainty that I cannot deliver. I cannot say definitely what you will do, all I know is that there are certain topics and questions that are likely to occupy your thoughts.There is one exception. There is a You Will chapter of which I'm certain.It's the final chapter. You Will Make Things Better.You will do that.Yours from a few years down the line.Jon

Recognising that your child is autistic is a pivotal moment for parents and carers. While it can lead to positives in terms of understanding behaviour and accessing support, the diagnostic process itself can be a huge source of anxiety, stress, guilt and worry. But it's going to be ok - because right here you have the ultimate guidebook to navigating the emotions and challenges that these early stages present. From weathering the initial impact of a potential diagnosis, to self-care strategies and finding new parameters for success, reading this book is like being taken by the hand and shown how to look after your own mental health while supporting your child. Each chapter is full of guidance from someone who's been where you are now, and tells you what you really need to know so you can journey from panic and uncertainty to confidence, acceptance and strength.

Maureen F. Morrell and Ann Palmer are raising two very different children: Justin, a whirlwind of activity and mood swings, who is supervised in a residential farm community, and Eric, quiet and passive, who lives independently at college. The authors give an account of the striking similarities as well as the stark differences in their experiences of parenting children at opposite extremes of the autism spectrum. The two mothers speak openly about their children's diagnosis and early childhood through to adolescence, young adulthood and the day they leave home. They give a moving account of the challenges they faced and the surprising consolations they found along their sons' very different paths in life. Through their friendship and two decades of shared experiences of parenting an ASD child, each has gained a clear understanding of her own strengths and limitations, as well as those of her child. Parenting Across the Autism Spectrum offers a personal perspective and practical guidance for parents at the start of their journey with autism, especially those whose children are newly diagnosed. It also provides useful insights for professionals working with individuals across the autism spectrum and their families. The book was elected the 2007 Autism Society of America's Outstanding Literary Work of the Year.

Cindy Rasmussen wrote this story for her children to help them understand what happened in their family when they were growing up, from the perspective of a Mom. Her eldest son, Mark, was only 19 months old when her autistic son, Steven, was born and only 2 1/2 when the first serious problems began. Steven was 6 years old when Geoffrey was born. So although they were there for most of the journey, they have little memory or understanding of the most difficult years for our family. It is her hope that as adults they can read her account and gain a deeper insight and understanding into things that took place in their childhoods and that this knowledge might help them as they go forward in their own lives.

Questions Every Parent Has About Their Autistic Child; And The Answers... Autism is a complex disorder, and there really is no one singular way to discuss or define it. But there is one thing that is true across the board when it comes to autism: the number of questions parents have. I know what it's like to be unsure and worried about what to do for the best for a loved one with autism. I know all too well about the many challenges and frustrations that you are facing with your autistic child. When my son was diagnosed with autism in 2009, I scoured every book and website I could find looking for answers. And for every question answered, there always seemed to be three more questions related to the original, and on and on. Many resources I found were either out of date, or written with medical jargons that only doctors could understand. You probably have the same frustrations on your journey to understand autism. Fortunately you don't have to spend countless hours searching and verifying information like I did. I wrote this guide to cover a lot of the basic questions parents have, and a few you may have never thought of. If you'd like to have a better understanding of the reasons behind your autistic child's behaviors, so you can help your child more and take some of the pressure off you and the rest of your family then this is the guide for you. Here are just some of the things you will learn in "Raising Children with Autism: 100 Things Every Parent of an Autistic Child Must Know": - What are the characteristics of Autism? - What are the early warning signs of Autism that parents should look for? - How do I get my child evaluated? & Will insurance cover all this? - I want to have more children. Will they also be autistic? - What does Early Intervention entail? - How much therapy does my child really need? - What are "biomedical" treatments? - How dieting can help control autism naturally? - The effectiveness of the most common alternative autism treatments - What kind of services will the school district offer my child? - My child never sleeps! What can I do? - How to choose an ABA provider? - How to cope with the stress of raising an autistic child? - How to ensure the safety of my child? - Is joining a parent support group really beneficial? - Will my child ever marry or have children of their own? - And much more...

There is the heartache we all share when our child is given the diagnosis of autism. At first we feel all alone in the world wondering how this could happen to my child, but we are not alone, there are a growing number of families who have a child who has been diagnosed with autism. A mother tells her story and explains how she took control of her son's future by creating her own therapy, sharing with other parents how she was able to determine what her son needed and then how to implement those needs into lessons he could understand. Gain insight into the ways in which you can begin providing your own therapy for your child or choosing to home school if that is your wish. If you have a child that has not been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder but you suspect they might be autistic, learn the diagnostic criteria used by professionals in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Are you having difficulty parenting your child who has Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? Do you feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to meet your child's specific needs? Look no further than "How to Parent Autistic Children." This comprehensive guide will teach you how to manage sensory issues, create a structured and predictable home environment, improve social skills and communication, and develop positive relationships with your child. This book, written by an experienced Autism parent and field expert, is a must-have for any parent or caregiver of a child with ASD. "How to Parent Kids with Autism" provides guidance and support for all aspects of raising a child with Autism in clear and concise language. This book will provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to help your child thrive, whether you are a new parent or have been on this journey for a while. Don't let the difficulties of parenting an autistic child overwhelm you. Take action today and purchase "How to Parent Children with Autism," your go-to resource for navigating the world of Autism parenting. Are you ready to change the course of your parenting journey? Get your copy of "How to Parent Kids with Autism" right away and begin confidently and compassionately supporting your child's unique needs.