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As a parent, you know that it’s important to have a support system and a community while raising your child in order to help your child grow, socialize, and learn everything they can about the world around them. However, if you have a child who has been diagnosed with autism, that community and support system may feel more intimidating. If you don’t already know other parents, family members, or community members who understand autism or have autism, it can be scary to bring it up to others and discuss your child’s autism. However, at ACES ABA, our team is dedicated to helping the parents, children, and families we work with navigate the world more easily and with greater confidence! Here are some tips from our team about how to talk to others about your child with autism.
You Don’t Have To Share Details With Everyone
First, it’s important to remember that you don’t owe explanations to anyone! Your child’s diagnosis can stay between you, your child, and their professional support providers (doctors, teachers, etc.) if that’s what you choose. Whether you’re at a park socializing with other parents and children, you’re at a family gathering, or you’re spending time with neighbors and friends, you are allowed to disclose as much or as little information about your child and their diagnosis as you feel comfortable. As long as you and your child are safe, happy, and comfortable, you can focus on staying that way.
Behavior-Focused Discussion
If you do choose to discuss your child and their autism diagnosis, the best way to go about it, especially around those who don’t quite understand what autism is, is to focus on behaviors. This is especially helpful because behaviors are major factors taken into account during the diagnosis process. When explaining your child’s autism, use their behaviors as a way to explain how they’ll interact with the world, others around them, and their environment. For example, if your child doesn’t like physical contact, is uncomfortable with making eye contact, or has difficulties connecting with new people, remind the people around them that these behaviors are normal for your child and that they simply operate differently in the world, they aren’t shy, and they are moving at their own pace.
Offering Education
Whether you go further to educate others around you about autism and your child’s diagnosis is also up to you! If you don’t feel comfortable educating friends and family about autism, that’s perfectly fine, too! However, if you choose to answer questions about your child’s diagnosis, you can potentially help others in their life understand and interact with them better, ensuring a more supportive and reliable community. When educating others about autism, it’s important to remember that not everyone has access to information about neurodivergent brain development and that the condition is marked by a spectrum of behaviors. Try to keep the conversation positive so your child knows that they are loved, accepted, and supported, and that being different from others isn’t a bad thing!
Redirecting Expectations/Stereotypes
As you discuss autism with others, you may encounter negative reactions or harmful stereotypes. As a parent, your main focus should be on supporting your child and setting them up for success, so try to stay calm, positive, and assertive if you encounter negativity. Be confident when you assert that an autism diagnosis isn’t a bad thing, and the diagnosis can actually help to improve your child’s life by providing avenues of support throughout their life. While it may be uncomfortable, correcting assumptions or stereotypes others have about autism or your child can help to create a more positive and encouraging environment for them as they grow, so don’t be afraid to gently and respectfully correct others in these situations!
Reinforcing Positive Talk
Of course, it’s important to remember that your child learns from you as the parent, so reinforcing positivity and support is key when discussing their condition with others! Find encouragement, support, and assistance with guiding your child at ACES ABA! Contact us today to learn more.
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