Autism Mammy here...how about you?

Hey there Love Lifers!

Are you a parent of an awesome autistic child or neurodiverse child? If so, welcome to the club! Parenting an autistic child can be challenging, especially in the beginning, but it's also incredibly rewarding. I wanted to offer some tips that might help you on your journey.

First things first - let's talk about the autism spectrum. Autism is a spectrum disorder, which means that no two autistic individuals are the same. Your child's needs and strengths may be different from those of another child with autism, and that's totally okay. It's important to embrace your child for who they are, quirks and all!

Also, having a diagnosis is helpful for supports and guidance but it doesn't change who your child is. What it does do is help you to explore the many unusual ways you might help your child navigate this neurotypical world. It will open your eyes and mind, if you allow it, to a lifetime of learning, growing and regniting your creative brain and your problem solving skills!

One thing that has helped me as a parent is finding a community of other parents of children with different needs. In fact, I am now a trustee with the North Kildare Carers Support Community where I live. This can be a great source of support and understanding, as well as a place to share tips and resources as a community. There are lots of online forums and groups where you can connect with other parents, so don't be afraid to reach out!

Being part of a carers community- it changed my life on so many levels. Heck, it even started me on the journey of rediscovering who I was outside of mammy, wife and carer. This community I now run would not have started if I hadn't attended a course with fellow carers in my community that reminded me of all my strengths and gifts and dreams as an individual.

Another thing that has helped me is being open and honest with my child about autism in general. I have not confirmed or denied his diagnosis. I have chosen at this stage to stick to this as I don't want him labelling himself and worrying about what the label means. As I said above, it is a spectrum and everyone on it is different. Some of my own family now dispute what doctors diagnosed but we know that the changes we made as a family unit have allowed us to find the ways to manage and parent in a way that means we don't have the issues we used to have daily anymore.

We talk about all differences in a positive and empowering way, emphasizing their strengths and unique qualities. We also work together to find strategies that help navigate the challenges that come with being uniquely themselves.

Of course, parenting an autistic child also comes with its fair share of challenges. Sensory issues, meltdowns, and communication difficulties are just a few of the things that parents of autistic children may face. It's important to be patient, understanding, and compassionate with your child - and with yourself.

Thankfully, this is rarer for us these days. We made many changes as a family to help reduce these incidents. We changed our diet, decor, removed chemicals from our home, how we communicate, how we plan or don't plan, where we go, who we spend time with and for how long.

I do highly recommend that all parents and humans consider looking into what a 'sensory diet' is as it is incredible what you learn about yourself and those you love by looking at and making changes to support your sensory diet needs.

At the end of the day, parenting an autistic child can be a wild ride - but it's also one of the greatest catalysts for change I have experienced in my life. Watching your child grow and thrive is an incredible feeling, and knowing that you're helping them to navigate the world on their own terms is incredibly rewarding.

So, to all the parents out there raising amazing autistic kiddos - you've got this! Keep being awesome, and don't forget to take care of yourself along the way.

Aislíng x