So where do we begin creating a Parent for Autism? Many parents back their way into an Autism diagnosis and some of you reading this may find that you came to this place from a hunch or a feeling that something was not the way you expected it to be for your child. Others are brought to Autism through drastic crisis. You are here today to find out more. So immediately, the parent is a stand for the child, an advocate, love, and suddenly in league with many others – communities of ASD families, physicians, therapists, nutritionists, insurance companies, gas stations ( for all the driving we do), and banks.
Some of you may be lurking, wanting to research and question until you find something that sounded right, but then feeling like this is surreal and at the very least a breakdown. So, we had our ideas about how life for our child would be, and then, encountered this confronting altercation. We imagined a path called “Childhood” where someone put up a “Detour Sign” that led us down a new ath that often confronts us and makes us feel lost. So we look for answers and begin the journey of finding our way.
It is the intention of A Voice for Autism to provide education and resources that will enable that passage, and perhaps, even turn it into the most beautiful walk of life for a parent out of who you choose to be in the face of your child’s circumstances.
Many describe this like a special needs rite of passage to becoming competent at handling anything in the world and living like nothing could stop you from being what you create.
A parent can affect the world as profoundly as a butterfly flapping its wings on one side of the earth, starting a tsunami on the other side of the world. Humanity is knocking at your door right now, asking “Will you take this on for us?” It is a powerful position to be inand most people are not thinking of it that way, but even in being confronted by a sense of overwhelm, these children are simply put, “the canaries in the mine” warning us about the future of humanity itself. There won’t be just one or two answers to your quest.
That may be hard to imagine if you are in the early stages trying to get your arm around this but keep in mind that many parents who have been at this a while will tell you that it’s a gift to have such a child and beyond that, you have been chosen as the right parent to have this child. You will find the strength inside you at the right moments.
Start by defining for yourself what your life is intended to be for this child. Consider that you are your child’s light, hope, protector and nurturer. Know that you can take on being a stand for their life. This is intended to inspire you into action and so here is the request of this site’s intention:
1. Take on Autism as a parent of possibility, hopes, courage, and inspiration
2. Find Support for your own wellbeing
3. Seek partnerships with professional medical resources and services
4. Come back and visit our site
Two consistent and helpful resources for steady information on Autism are Lisa Jo Rudy who has a yahoo group called About Autism, and Rachel Evans who developed Autism Tree. They have extensive research and provide online list services for parents to learn more over time and not to be confounded by too many suggestions at once.
Many other sites and sources will be described on this site. One of our favorites, is TACA or Talk About Curing Autism because it is in line with the philosophy to create a new view and take on new possibilities for treating your child’s autism. This site will point you to resources, but not provide all the content for navigating specific health concerns.
Here our focus is on you the parent.
Research physicians, therapists, and healing arts individuals who can provide you expertise and treatment interventions. Move through every crisis with these people and do not be afraid to communicate your child’s needs to them. Often they are busy – so what. You are a stand for your child and their advocate in the world.
Our favorite medical resources are DAN!, NIDS doctors, and the alternative medicine people. They are all similar in the sense that they want to get to the root of the cause and address the underlying causes rather than condemn a child to a dead end diagnosis.
Our enrollment into the Relationship Development Intervention with Dr. Gutstein has been tremendous as well. He gives parents opportunity to remediate development steps that were missed and allow children to become competent in our world.
And last, get some rest for yourself. If your on the internet until 3 am researching you will be no good for your child in the morning. Finding respite is key in supporting your family emotionally and developmentally. Slow down your lifestyle at home. Often these children are overwhelmed by the world around them. Reduce stress, chemicals, toxins, foods with additives and preservatives…
Welcome to the beginning of taking a new view of Autism. That is, you can create a world where anything you want for your child and family is possible.
Best,
A Voice for Autism