We’re in the family room today talking about our autism experience and what we want family and friends to know about it. It’s the first installment of “Our Autism Experience” series.
Raising a child with autism is very different than a typical life. But it’s often difficult for others to know what it’s like or how to help, even if they want to. In this episode, host, Janeen Herskovitz, shares what parents want their family and friends to know about their daily life. This is a shareable episode you can send to family and friends so you can start this conversation.
In this episode you will discover:
- Why autism parents don’t share much about our day to day.
- Seven things we want our family and friends to know about our autism experience.
- Seven things you CAN do more of to help us.
- Why more discipline is not the answer to our issues.
Mentioned on the podcast:
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Show Notes
7 Things We want family And Friends to Know:
- We’re exhausted: The amount of time and energy it takes to run our households is more than average.
- We need more help than the average parent.
- You can’t discipline the autism away.
- Feeling sorry for us isn’t helpful.
- Our children are different and may require things that others don’t.
- Just because my child can speak, doesn’t mean they can express their thoughts and feelings adequately. AND Just because my child cannot speak, doesn’t mean he has nothing to say.
- My child is much smarter than she appears.
What Family and Friends Can Do To Help:
- Ask how we’re doing.
- Ask what this experience is like for us.
- Before reacting to something you don’t understand, stop, think and ask.
- Trust that we know what is best for our child.
- Don’t give advice unless asked.
- Be patient with us, it’s not personal when we don’t call back.
- Offer to help; babysitting, gift cards, meals; every little bit helps, because we ALWAYS need it.
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