Recently, your child was diagnosed with autism. You may have suspected this diagnosis for some time. Part of you is relieved to have an answer explaining your child’s behaviors and developmental delays. Yet at the same time, you’re intensely nervous about the path forward. Suddenly, all of your expectations for parenthood have been turned upside down. You had prepared to raise a neurotypical child, and now you’re on an entirely different journey.

Learning how to parent your child after their autism diagnosis will certainly involve a certain level of trial and error as you figure out their unique needs and preferences. But with time, you’ll figure out how to best support your child. Here are a few things to keep in mind after learning your child’s diagnosis.

Seek Professional Support

First, it’s crucial to connect with your “support team.” In addition to your child’s pediatrician, this can include any other medical professionals they might benefit from seeing, such as a therapist who specializes in working with children with autism. You may also want to seek out a therapist whom you can speak with as an individual or a couples therapist who can give you and your partner the guidance you need to care for your relationship while parenting your child. Knowing that you have people to lean on will be invaluable for your entire family.

Connect with Other Parents of Children with Autism

Right now, you may feel like your other friends with children don’t understand what you’re going through. You still value their company and reassurances, but you’re also craving advice from parents who have been in your shoes before. Look for groups for parents of children with autism in your area or online. Your therapist or your child’s doctor might be able to point you in the right direction. Befriending other parents who have stood where you are today can give you hope for the future and strengthen your circle of support.

Practice Sensory Awareness

For children with autism, sensory overwhelm can make it hard to truly feel comfortable in public and even set off tantrums. As a parent, practicing sensory awareness at home and in public is critical for supporting your child’s wellbeing. You may need to adjust the lighting, textiles, paint hues, or other fixtures in your home. Pay special attention to your child’s room and consider adding soundproofing features to this space and other areas of the house if your child is particularly sensitive to loud noises.

Create and Maintain Predictable Routines

All children benefit from having stable routines, but for children with autism, routine is particularly important. Deviating from a routine can be especially distressing for kids with autism. Work together as a family to create predictable routines that work for your household. You may want to design visual aids so that your child knows what to expect on a daily basis. If you know that a routine will be disrupted in advance, let your child know so that you can prepare them for this shift.

Emphasize Positive Reinforcement

When your child masters new skills, it’s important to give them plenty of positive reinforcement! This is one of the best ways to encourage your child to keep repeating these healthy behaviors and making progress in different areas of their life. Positive reinforcement will motivate your child to keep making improvements.

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Are you trying to figure out a new approach to parenting in light of your child’s autism diagnosis? A therapist can support your whole family during this time. Connect with us to learn more about child or parenting therapy can benefit you as the parent of a child with autism.