In the USA, the average age for an autism diagnosis is around 3.8 years for boys and 4+ years for girls. This is because this is around the time when their differences to their peers become more apparent, whether this relates to how they carry themselves or socialize with others. However, many individuals with autism and related disorders do not receive their diagnosis until much later in life, sometimes even into adulthood (70% receive a diagnosis after turning 18).
Nevertheless, while you may have noticed the signs of autism in your child from an early age, receiving an official diagnosis can feel daunting.
With that in mind, here are some top tips for parents whose child has recently received their diagnosis on the steps you can take moving forward.
- Remember that Autism is not a bad thing. Autism does not have to be perceived negatively – despite what popular media may have you think. It simply means that your child experiences the world in a slightly different way from the norm. But as we are all aware, being different isn’t inherently bad. Once you accept this mindset – you’ll soon realize that a diagnosis is nothing to feel sad or worried about – and it’s a step towards helping your child get the support they need to thrive.
- Do your research – but rely on the experts. Whenever we receive a diagnosis, it’s only natural to want to google the condition and see what you can find out about it yourself. This is perhaps why there are thousands of articles published regarding autism every single day. However, some of them are far more accurate than others. As a result, you must get your information from trusted resources – such as reputable charities or doctors – instead of online gossip forums.
- Put together a routine. Once your child has received their autism diagnosis, you must make some changes in your life to help them feel more comfortable and relaxed. For example, you may want to introduce a more formal, rigid structure and routine to your daily life instead of going with the flow. A clear routine is useful due to the fact that it removes the element of surprise from daily life so that your child always knows what to expect out of their day. This stops them from feeling overwhelmed.
