Tips for Parenting a Child with Autism
The shock of finding out your child has autism is life-changing for most parents. But new findings show parents can fare well emotionally and still have a strong bond with their child.Studies into the coping skills of mothers of children with autism confirm that they are more likely to report “poor or fair” emotional and mental health than other moms, but they are also more likely to show remarkable strengths.
These findings, published in the journal Pediatrics, come from a nationally representative survey of almost 62,000 mothers of school-aged children, including 364 mothers of children with autism.Researchers concluded that moms of children with autism were just as likely as other moms to report having a close relationship with their child are five times as likely to do so as mothers of children who had other developmental problems (not including autism).
Autism and other pervasive developmental disorders (or PDD) typically begin before age 3. They are a complex group of developmental disabilities marked by great difficulty in social interaction and communication. Difficulties on the spectrum range from mild to severe.
If your child has autism, you know how this developmental disorder can disrupt every part of your life — your relationships, physical and emotional health, and career aspirations. But there is hope and help. Consider the following strategies as you tackle the special challenges and receive the unique joys of parenting a child with autism.
