No matter how much you suspected that your child was autistic or tried to prepare yourself for the worst, chances are that you just won’t be prepared to hear the news. What you expected from life with your child is radically different from the life you now have, and you will feel shock along with a range of other emotions.
You may not want to accept the diagnosis at first, which is a normal process of ultimate acceptance. You will have some grief associated with the diagnosis, but let yourself experience that sadness and express it as a way of working through the sadness and moving on.
Your sadness may yield to anger, which is a part of the process of accepting the diagnosis. Keep in mind that anger is a normal emotion, and expressing it releases tension. You may find that you are resentful or typically developing children and taking your anger out on those who are close to you.
You might experience times in which you deny what is happening to your child, which is a coping mechanism. Try to be aware of when you are experiencing denial so that you don’t stop focusing on your child’s treatment. You may also feel isolated once you receive the diagnosis, but ultimately you will get to the point where you can accept the diagnosis and become an advocate for your child.
Allow yourself to feel what you feel and try not to feel guilty about your emotions. Be patient with yourself and be sure to carve out time just for you. Reaching out to others, through a support group, for instance, may be helpful in maintaining your strength and emotional well-being.
If you get moving on your child’s treatment as soon as you can, you will feel a sense of progress and control. Educating yourself about how best to be an advocate for your child and learning all you can about his or her treatment can help you move forward.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help and to use the support group you have. Perhaps a family member or friend can help with caring for your other children, transportation, or cooking. Accepting help will help you to take care of yourself and consequently of your child.
Accepting an autism diagnosis is not easy, but by giving yourself time and respecting your emotions, you can get to a point of acceptance. Accepting the diagnosis means moving forward and getting the best help possible for your child.