If you’re raising a child with autism, you pour lots of time and energy into putting their wellbeing first. You want to ensure that they receive the support and services they need at home, at school, and in other settings. You’re frequently coordinating with medical professionals, educators, and people in your community to make sure that your child has all the care that they require.

But sometimes, with so much effort going towards your child’s care needs and support services, you wonder if your own relationship with your child could use a little more nurturing. It’s easy to let personal time get lost in the shuffle of parenthood. Here are a few tips to help you strengthen your relationship with your child with autism.

Create a Sensory Friendly Environment at Home

First, it’s important to create an environment at home that truly feels like a safe space for your child. Pay close attention to their sensory needs when you’re choosing furniture, fixtures, or even colors for a particular space.

When it comes to your child’s room, as well as spaces where you often spend time together as a family, it’s especially important to make design choices with their sensory needs in mind. If your child can genuinely relax and feel content at home with you, it’s easier to make the most of your time together, away from the outside world.

Take Interest in Your Child’s Interests

No matter what your child is interested in, it’s important for them to feel like they can share it with you. You never know what you might learn by becoming more engaged with your child’s interests! Be an active participant in your child’s interests. Watch as your bond grows stronger.

Shift Your Communication Style

People with autism often don’t interpret communication and social cues the same way that neurotypical people do. That’s why paying close attention to your child’s communication style and learning to convey what you mean in a way that makes sense to them is crucial.

At times, it may feel like you’ve gotten a handle on this already. After all, you know your child better than anyone. But as your child grows up, the way they perceive communication might shift, too. Meeting your child where they are in terms of communication is key.

Focus on the Positives and Encourage Your Child

Sometimes, you might feel frustrated that your “wins” don’t look the same as other families. It’s easy to let comparison steal your own joy. Instead, give yourself permission to focus on the positives, no matter what they look like.

Your child’s milestones may not be the same as their peers. But you can still encourage them as they grow up. Life is not a competition with others. Your relationship with your child cannot be defined by any particular milestone or accomplishment.

Accept Your Child for Who They Are

Above all, it’s essential that your child knows that you accept them for who they really are – not who they might become one day with enough support, or who they would be if they were neurotypical. No parent wants to see their child struggle, and if you know that your child is frustrated, you wish that you could somehow make the problem disappear.

Furthermore, you may have never expected these challenges when you became a parent. But parenting is unpredictable, and accepting your child as their true self is an act of deep love.

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If you’re the parent of a child with autism, and you’re seeking guidance on nurturing your relationship, therapy can help. Reach out to us to learn more about our family therapy services.