If you're the parent of a child with Asperger syndrome, chances are you've gotten quite an education since you first heard that diagnosis. What would you say today to parents who are just getting the news? Tell them about that book that explained everything, that website full of resources, that e-mail group you still lean on, that experience with your child that made you see things differently. Those of us who have been there have important gifts to give those who have not yet done that. Offer your words of wisdom and experience here. Tell Your Tips
They are still the same child!
- The main thing we felt after our eldest was diagnosed is that it didn't change who he was -- he didn't "become" the diagnosis! It did lead to many "aha!" moments, as we put together the jigsaw of behaviours into this picture. It also changed how we managed behaviour challenges -- having more understanding about the background for the behaviours helped us to redirect them (mainly helping him to find stress management behaviours which are less irritating to those around him, and gently leading him away from things which were becoming compulsions). Therapy options here are limited -- there isn't even a social skills group he can join -- so we do what we can with family discussions and modelling good behaviour. The hardest challenge is knowing when to push hard on an issue, and when to sit back and let him work it out in his own time and own way -- but I think that is also the hardest challenge for parenting any child!
- —QuicksilverHg
