When your child is first diagnosed as having autism, you feel your heartbreak. It may take a bit but you slowly begin to let the pieces fall into place. The odd behaviours other children never do, become clearer. Your world becomes more understandable, while your autistic child’s becomes more blurred. You may want a second, third, fourth opinion. You may be confused and blame yourself.

First you must realize it is not your fault. Children with disabilities and delays are born everyday with no fault of their parents or the pregnancy. Nothing you could’ve have done would’ve prevented this and nothing you do will ease the feelings you have. All you can do is assist your child in surviving in his autistic world and do your best to learn and understand how they feel, who they are and what they are going through.

Every child is born unique. Every child is special in their own way and mannerisms, your autistic child is just a little more special and needs a little more guidance and care to help them to cope with daily life and the world around them. You still care for them as any parent would, you just may have to change some of the techniques you thought would have worked when you became a parent.

A diagnosis of autism is not the end of the world and is something that can be easily coped with, with education and knowledge about your child and their condition you can make their transition through childhood no less stressing or joyful as any other child’s. They are special but all children are.