How do I cope with an autism diagnosis?
Autism doesn't just affect the sufferer. The parents, siblings and other close family members can all be affected by the condition. Read on to find more about autism and how it can affect everyday family life and how you can cope.
The difficulties of autism
Autism can affect each suffer in a variety of different ways. The severity of the condition will affect the number of symptoms the sufferer experiences, which then determines how badly they are affected by their autism. Children and young people with the condition will often experience the following problems:
- Communicating with other will be problematic, and this can make it particularly hard for sufferers to have relationships with others. They are also likely to experience difficulties in understanding what others are saying or decoding facial expressions and gestures.
- A lack of imagination and trouble seeing things from the point of view of others.
- Obsessive behaviour and the inability to do things outside of their regular set routine.
How parents are affected by autism
Having a child at any age with autism can be incredibly stressful for parents. Children with the condition often demand a lot of attention, and depending on the severity level, certain measures may have to be made to accommodate the sufferer. Everyday tasks such as shopping and getting ready for school can take a lot longer, and may need forward planning.
In addition, younger sufferers may find it hard to express how they are feeling, or what the want or need. This makes it increasingly difficult for parents to cope and to know what's wrong when their child is crying. This is not only frustrating for the parent, but also for the child too. In many cases, this frustration leads to aggressive behaviour. Causing the sufferer to be aggressive towards their parents and themselves.
The obsessive tendencies associated with autism can make it difficult if parents break form their regular routines. This will often cause the sufferer to become agitated, and refuse the change. Many young children with autism my experience sleeping problems, and are unable to sit still for long periods, both of which can prove to be exhausting for parents and other family members.
Some parents admit that having a child with autism, can sometimes be embarrassing. These who are severely affected by the condition can not play appropriately with others. The inappropriate behaviour can also make social interaction and social situations difficult. Many parents who have autistic children are unable to work, due the constant care required. This often affects a families financial security, but can also add strain to marriages.
How the rest of the family can be affected
Autism is particularly hard for siblings to deal with. Younger siblings find autism difficult to understand and bonding can also be problematic. Siblings are likely to feel jealous of their autistic brother of sister, as they usually get far more attention. It is also likely that they will be embarrassed of their siblings condition and find it hard to cope with.
Help is at hand
A diagnosis for many parents comes as a relief, as it offers an explanation of their child's unusual set of behaviours. The diagnosis also offers parents access to the wide range the support available.
There are many support and parent groups out there that offer first hand advice on how to cope with autism. Although there is no known cure for autism, there are a number of treatments and therapies that can help parents and sufferers.
References -
1 - Current strategies for coping with autism – http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/special_reports/autism/autism.htm. Accessed Sept 11, 2009.
2 - Coping with autism – http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6988852. Accessed Sept 11, 2009.
3 - Coping with Autism – http://www.bbc.co.uk/leicester/content/articles/2008/01/30/autism_feature.shtml. Accessed Sept 11, 2009.
