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Autism Parent Diaries: With Acceptance Comes Understanding

36 blog avatar Autism Parent Diaries: With Acceptance Comes Understanding
Expert Name: Jill Rodriguez
Expert Title: Jill Rodriguez
Company Name:  Guest Blogger
Company URL: N/A
Short Bio: I am a mother of 3 children, one who has autism. My daughter is newly diagnosed with autism. 

My journey has just started but I’ve learned a lot. I started blogging in hopes of giving advice to families that are on the same journey. My blogs are based on experiences I’ve had with my daughter.

Autism Parent Diaries: With Acceptance Comes Understanding

When I found out my daughter had autism I was devastated. So many questions went through my head, like…Will she make friends? Will she be able to keep up with her classmates? What is the next step that I need to take? I was just so scared and confused. Every day is a struggle for my daughter and I. She is nonverbal so I have to figure out what she wants. When she is sick she can’t tell me, I have to tell by looking at her. When she is hungry she will point to food, but I have to give her choices. We have to have a routine or she will have a meltdown. An outing for us is not just grab your coat and go. I have to make sure I have her favorite drinks, snacks and toys to try to prevent a meltdown. Some meltdowns can be prevented, but not all. Where we go depends on if it is too noisy or too many lights. Most kids with autism have sensory issues so, many parents can’t go to certain places.

There are many issues that surround the diagnosis of autism, but there are also many joys. Every little accomplishment is a big accomplishment for me. When my daughter was able to recognize her letters, shapes and numbers I was filled with joy. When she learned to hold the toothbrush to brush her teeth, I was so excited. When she learned to zip up and zip down her coat I was super happy. I could finally let some stress out knowing that my daughter will do great with my help and the schools help.

It is a difficult but joyous journey when raising a child with autism. In order for my child to be accepted I have to help spread autism awareness. There are so many people who don’t understand what autism is. It is a very complex disability. We all need to come together and spread autism awareness. First we can learn what autism is and then help educate other people. Acceptance and understanding is the key for my child and many children on the spectrum.

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Being an RBT for me was extremely fun because where were you going to find a place where you can be completely silly without having to worry what people thought about you? This was the only job that made me feel like I could make a dramatic difference while being myself.

I also liked to be surrounded by people that had the same goals of wanting to help kids and the teamwork made the job much easier and more enjoyable.

Change and progress was the ultimate goal for our kiddos. The early intervention program was seriously only a miracle because I saw changes in the kiddos that from day one, you wouldn’t even recognize who they were.

Changes from being able to utter 3-4 words where they can only make a syllable from when they started, the behavior decreases in which kiddo that used to engage in 30-40 0 self-harm to only half, learning how to wait during games, table work where they use to swipe and drop to the floor if they had to.

My favorite was when the parents would tell us what amazing progress they were making at home. I used to tear up and felt for these parents so much because it was already difficult for them and now, they can trust and rely on ABA and the therapists knowing their goal was ours.

By Emma Rogers, BA, RBT

Mother Child
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