What to Expect When Raising a Child with Autism

Being a parent of a child with autism can be very stressful. Your natural instinct is to care for your child the best way you can. You want to be there for them and make sure that all is alright. When you are the father of a child with autism there are challenges to face that many do not understand. It is that feeling that is hard to know unless you are dealing with the same things. There are a number of things that make parenting a child with autism different.

Knowing What to Expect

Nando Caporicci states that one of the hardest things about being an autism parent is that you never know what to expect. There is always that chance that something may trigger a reaction at any moment. This makes any parent tense and stressed at all times. Most autism parents like Nando Caporicci will learn to understand what triggers your child’s meltdowns. It is also important to know what kind of meltdowns the child has. High functioning autism is different from Asperger’s. Sometimes a meltdown can be violent while other times the child shies away and wants to be alone. There must be a course of action to help the child calm down and work through the meltdown.

Strict Routines

One thing that many parents have noticed with parenting children with autism is that there must be a strict routine in place. There must be a system that the child goes by. This will make matters easier for them. Also, remember to have the routine or schedule where the child can see it. Make it visual as well with small pictures on it so that they understand. This is especially good for those who don’t know how to read yet. Put times by it to go by so they know what time is what. One thing to remember when it comes to a routine is that you must abide by the schedule. One wrong move or being late by just a few minutes can throw off the whole day and cause them confusion. An autistic child processes things differently. That means a schedule that is not followed can be devastating to them.

Strict Diets

There are many different diets out there today. Ultimately autism is a sensory disorder. This is also something that comes into effect with the way things feel. There are some autistic children who will never eat anything crunchy. They only want smooth things like applesauce. There are other children who want crunchy things and won’t touch mashed potatoes. Knowing and understanding their eating habits are important. There are some parents that limit certain products in their child’s diet such as casein and gluten. Whatever is best for the child is what should be done.

Vacation

Every family wants to go on vacation. Going on vacation when you are raising a child with autism is a little different though. There are certain steps that must be done to make sure that you all enjoy the time away. The first thing is understanding that vacation to you means going away and having fun. A vacation to a child with autism means change. Many children with autism don’t do well with change. There are a few things that can help with this step. Create an itinerary. Remember the itinerary has the same rules as a schedule. They must be followed so that your child stays on track. If you are traveling, however, things happen and can throw off a whole trip. Don’t put times down on the itinerary. Make sure to use pictures. You have plenty of time to go over the itinerary before you leave for your trip as well. Let them study it so that they are prepared. Take things from home that are familiar to them as well. Bring their pillow and blanket or favorite toys. Also, remember that a child with autism has a hard time being idle. They need to have something to do at all times.

Being a parent of a child with autism can be tough but it is also rewarding. Nando Caporicci reminds everyone that you are not alone. With a little bit of extra leg work your child can have the same experiences as every other child. Remember to be patient with them. Whatever you are feeling, they are feeling tenfold. Always give them understanding, time and your love.