Getting an autism diagnosis can be one of the most disturbing conversations a parent can have.
At that point a parent may not know where to go or what to say.
Even when the diagnosis is expected, it can still make a parent take pause.
Many parents see an autism diagnosis as the end of the child they wished for and dreamed about.
While this is true, young parents do not realize than none of our children turn out to be the person we dreamed about.
It is no different for the child with Autism.
Their life will be different, but there is a whole world out there for them.
They may need more assistance than the next person or they may not.
Not all people with Autism need 24 hour supports.
Some adults without Autism need help paying their bills.
Even a child with Autism who needs 24 hour supports can have a fulfilling life.
They may do it differently but they can be part of their community just the same.
Many people with supports work, go to church, own homes, and mow their yard.
Just like you and I do.
Parents may have to do more planning than they might do with a typical child.
Finding other parents is what we do as typical adults.
We talk about our toddlers.
We talk about our teenagers.
We call each other when they do well and when they do poorly.
The same is true for the parent of a child with a disability.
An Autism diagnosis is not the end; many times it is the beginning.