By: Crystal Blum

 Q: What were some of the signs and symptoms you first noticed in your child’s behaviors?

I noticed some of the milestones were not being met. He was nonverbal, there wasn’t any cooing, and he couldn’t form simple sounds. That’s when I realized that there could have been something more

going on.

Q: What was the biggest challenge when adapting to the lifestyle

with a child with autism?

The biggest challenge was the outside world adapting to being around a child with autism. Acceptance and understanding are difficult, especially as they get older, so watching the world treat them differently because of something that they cannot control will always be a challenge for me. There is only so much that I can do. 

Q: What is something that you want

everyone to know about autism?

Every child with Autism is different. The spectrum is

so large, that not every child will act or look at the world in the same way. It is important to realize that they hear everything that is said to them, they may not

react because they simply may not know how to, but they do hear and understand everything said to and about them.

Q: What is some advice you would give to a parent who has recently found out that their child has autism?

The initial shock will wear off, so don’t dwell on it for too long. It’s important to let go of all the traditional milestones that we are used to and accept everything small as a milestone reached

in their journey. Love with

an open mind and patience because you will need it throughout this journey.

And please, embrace the local programs and special needs parent groups! You will need support for both your child and yourself; you don’t have to go through this journey alone.

Q: What are some community resources that your child uses that you think other families within your situation

will also find helpful?

Some resources we used are Respite, Cradle Beach Camp, and Fantastic Friends.  These organizations really helped our journey in ways that we can’t even begin to explain, and I would encourage others to investigate them.

Q: What are some things that your child enjoys that may come as a surprise? 

He enjoyed many things a lot of kids his age enjoyed, like music of all genres, computers, and swimming. But what took me as a surprise was his love for chores!

Q: Is there anything that you would change from your journey? If so, why?

The loneliness. If I could do a re-do, I would reach out to more support groups for both my child and me, I realize now how much this could have helped had I used these resources earlier.

This is why I encourage others who have found themselves in this situation to get a circle of close people to help you. Build an empire for your child and yourself and learn to ask for help, it’s okay to need it—you do not have to go through this alone.