As some of you may know we have been running a series called Autism and Parenting. The aim of this set of posts is to provide people in the autism and ASD community with a forum to share ideas of how best to parent children on the spectrum.

We decided to share with you the results of a recent discussion on our Facebook page AutismTalk. Yesterday we asked the page a very simple question “What is your best autism tip that you would like to share with our readers?”. In less than 24 hours we received nearly 500 responses. So naturally we wanted to share some with you.

It would be great if you could share your own ideas and suggestions in the comments section below!

The comment which gained the most likes was Jamie when she said “Nobody is more of an expert on your child than you.” While Justina mentioned “Never underestimate the intelligence of autistic people!”.

Adrian had a popular but important message for fathers of children with autism “Dad’s get involved. Yeah you may have a demanding job, but not only does being involved benefits your child, it benefits you as well. You are also your child’s advocate. Make a commitment to go to as many Dr appointments, to as many therapy sessions, to as many parent invites your child may have at his/her school as you can. You owe it to your child to be just as active as mom is being when it comes to ensuring your child get the best care that he/she can. The burden of raising an autistic child shouldn’t fall squarely on mom alone. Step up!!”

“Never beat yourself up or call yourself a bad parent. From experience, you will have easy days and not so good days. Have patience and get rest when you can. Get as much help and therapy for your child. was Karen’s important message.

Tonya recommended “PATIENCE! It is very frustrating at times to be a parent or caregiver to someone on the spectrum. It is really easy to lose your patience with them at times, but you have to remember that they didn’t choose to be this way!” while Sara suggested “ACCEPTANCE each child just wants to know they are loved and safe. Don’t try to change who they are, try to be more like them “.

Kyle said “Don’t shelter your child. Allow them to find their place in this world rather than protect them from it.”

On a practical note Sherleen said “Triple lock the doors or install alarms if you have an escape artist.” While Amy shared “Use “first this” , “then”….. that works well for my daughter”.

Another said ” Always remember they will see the world and feel the world in their own way ! And it’s ok to be different !”. While yet another reader “Always be prepared and have a good routine to avoid a meltdown“.

Dana suggested this and I have to say I agree “Make them live normal. Teach them right from wrong. Demand appropriate behavior. Teach them to play, imagine. Color therapy, speech therapy, behavior therapy. Autism doesn’t mean, no holds barred. My son 22 had full blown Autism. He’s high function Aspie now. Start each day with clean slate.”

I’d like to end by quoting way more than on reader with a statement which gets my full support “Choose your battles!!”.

So what is your tip?

Why not share in the comments section below.

Thanks in advance.

 

colleensaddress	Researchers around the world have done a great deal of work for the autistic child. But, just like we all know, they are in bits and pieces like a puzzle, and it’s up to us to put them together. My granddaughter is just now beginning to make eye contact and to say her first words after 4 years. Having studied root possibilities, we focused on eliminating toxins such as glyphosate-based herbicides used in GMO practices, overly-processed foods (refined sugars and starches) and chlorine. All of which are now directly linked to the development of autism in clinical studies.  We have been introducing organic foods and natural supplements. We see a difference, her therapists see a difference.
	Google Very handful of websites that take place to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly nicely worth checking out. Approve | Reply | Quick Edit | Edit | Spam | Bin
PHOTO LADY	I’m not a parent of autism, but I had an experience today that really threw me for a loop. I’m a youth sports photographer and while taking pictures today I noticed a young boy having a meltdown. He was kicking and punching his mother and throwing his bat towards one of my fellow photographers. My first thought was not autism, I just thought he was a brat and I was concerned hat he was going to damage one of our cameras. While trying to line his team up “tallest to shortest”, he was hitting and grabbing the hat off his teammate. He was crying and I was thinking his mom might pull him out of the group shot since he was so upset, but she didn’t? She just crouched down behind him, trying to hold him up as he flopped around swinging his arms. I went with it and took 3-4 pictures, but then tried to adjust the children to get a better photographic arrangement. I saw that the boy was again about to punch the teammate next to him and I put my hand between the boys to block the blow. The mom of the abusive boy started screaming at me, “How dare I grab her child with autism!” I told her I was sorry, it was a protective reflex. I just couldn’t stand by and watch the other child be smacked again (side-note: I never grabbed the boy. I just blocked the other boy from being punched yet again). She said she didn’t accept my apology. I apologized again and said it was wrong of me to intervene. She stormed off angry and screaming, “She couldn’t stand by and watch me grab her autistic child “. I in actuality do not feel as though I was wrong. Had I known he was autistic before I took the picture, I don’t think my reaction would have been any different. Why should he get a pass to be violent to another child? I’m asking you, the autism community, shouldn’t she have not forced him to be in the picture if it was upsetting him so? I feel very unsettled that she was so angry with me and so unconcerned for the welfare of the other children on the team. There are challenger sports leagues for special needs children. I’ve photographed many and have been praised for my patience and compassion, while attempting to get the best photograph possible. Any thoughts about this would be appreciated. I do not profess to know what you deal with day to day. I raised three healthy children, I’m an elementary school teacher, and a freelance youth sports photographer. I love all children and just want to be better educated on an appropriate response should I ever be in this situation again.