10 Tips for Parents Whose Children Were Recently Diagnosed with Autism

, "Lisa Blog", a mother of a child with autism spectrum disorder, offers

Lisa, a mother of a child with autism spectrum disorder, shares her experience through 10 tips, reflecting on when her child was diagnosed with autism 10 years ago. Lisa says: "My life changed completely after the diagnosis. I still remember the pain, fear, and denial. I used to ask parents whose child had recently been diagnosed with autism if they had any advice they could give me: what should I do and what should I not do?"

What to do and what not to do after the diagnosis:

1. Do not let an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis scare you; rather, give yourself some time. Read, research, ask, and do not jump to conclusions.

2. Do not let an autism diagnosis make you feel sorry for yourself. There are many things worse than autism, and there are also people facing truly tragic events. Stop feeling this way; your role now is to provide support to your child.

3. Do not let an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis make you preoccupied either with the present or with fear of the future!

4. Do not let an autism diagnosis make you feel guilty or blamed. You will encounter people who do not understand the nature of your child's disorder and may misunderstand. Do not let these people be a cause for feelings of blame.

5. Do not let an autism diagnosis isolate you; instead, seek help, get to know parents living through the same circumstances, and participate in programs such as support groups.

6. Do not let an autism diagnosis distance you from your other children. A child with autism may need more attention, but explain to them what autism is and what it means for them as a family, and involve them in the therapy plans and activities your child with autism needs.

7. Do not let an autism diagnosis rob you of your joy; rather, accept reality and look for the things that bring you happiness.

8. Do not let an autism diagnosis take away your hopes for your child. You may have placed many hopes and dreams on your child's future before the diagnosis. As your child grows older, you can assess whether achieving these dreams is possible or not. Adjust your expectations about your child and continue helping them bring out their best.

9. Do not let an autism diagnosis pull you into useless arguments; direct your time and effort toward meeting your child's needs.

10. Do not let an autism diagnosis make you doubt your faith in God; benefit from the things you can learn about autism.

Originally published in Arabic. This English version was produced with AI-assisted translation; the Arabic original remains the reference.