There are many difficult jobs people do every day. Some are firefighters, some are doctors, and some risk their lives working as police officers. But the majority of parents will tell you that the toughest job in the world is raising kids. It is an all-encompassing job, and you don’t get a day off. Raising the new generation carries a huge amount of responsibility, which can be very stressful. However, there are those parents and caretakers who have an extra layer of responsibility, and that is balancing the needs of autistic and neurotypical children. Raising these children presents different types of challenges for parents daily. Throughout this blog post, we will give some insights on this topic and hopefully help some parents in this situation.
Insights into the World of Autism
The first step is defining what it actually means to have an autistic child. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), autism refers to “constitutes a diverse group of conditions related to the development of the brain”. The main characteristics of autism are difficulty interacting with others and problems with communication to various degrees. While it can take some time to set an accurate autism spectrum diagnosis, certain symptoms show up at an early age:
- Repeating the same movements
- Difficulties with eye contact
- Strong reactions to certain mundane things (smells, sounds)
- Not talking much
These are just some of the symptoms. However, it is important to note that seeing these symptoms in young children does not mean a guaranteed autism diagnosis. It is a long process, and it takes a lot more tests by medical professionals before a diagnosis like that is given.
Everyday Struggles
The data from the CDC shows that approximately 1 in 36 children in the US have been diagnosed with some kind of autism spectrum disorder. This means that there are many parents out there dealing with everyday challenges that raising an autistic child requires. Those who don’t have any experience with autism spectrum don’t have any idea just how many things these parents and caretakers have to deal with. The simple task of feeding can be difficult as autistic children can have problems eating food of a certain color or texture. Autistic children also suffer from heightened anxiety, which can be triggered by various things. These include loud noises, unfamiliar social situations, changes in routine, etc.
Routine Disruption Issues
As we already said, one of the main issues for autistic children is disruption to their routine. A routine helps these kids feel safe. Parents need to be well prepared when it comes to big routine-disrupting life changes like moving to a new home. For example, if you’re about to relocate, it’s important to start talking about the move with your child early on to get them used to the idea. It’s always useful to use visual cues to explain what is going on. Then, to deal with the logistics, it’s best to find a really good moving company. Look for a company that has characteristics like promoversmiami.com, for instance. It’s a reliable company with years of experience that will help you move quickly. Efficiency is key when moving with an autistic child. The sooner you move and set up their new room as it was before, the less disruption there is to their routine.
Balancing the Needs of Autistic and Neurotypical Children
What Does Neurotypical Mean?
When we describe someone as neurotypical, it means their neurological functions are “normal” or typical. These persons don’t have any developmental disorders like autism, ADHD, etc. The opposite of neurotypical would be neurodivergent. Neurotypical children develop at an expected, usual pace. They can develop their verbal, social, and intellectual skills at an age that’s considered normal in society. This is often the complete opposite of autistic children who have issues with verbal skills, responding to their name being called, etc. Neurotypical kids learn to follow social cues, show empathy, have the ability to stay focused and blend in with their peers.
Autistic and Neurotypical Siblings
Families with both neurotypical and autistic children face specific challenges. It is expected that raising a child with a disability, in this case autism, takes up a lot of time for parents. There is no day off, and parents have to focus a lot of their attention on that child. This can leave the neurotypical child feeling left out and neglected. Also, autism can be very confusing for young kids, and it can be distressing for the neurotypical sibling to witness it sometimes. All this can lead to feelings of frustration and unhappiness in the household. Parents need to find a way to balance the needs of both autistic and neurotypical children in a way that is healthy and fair.
The Importance of Communication
One of the main tools when dealing with a situation like this is communication. The worst thing a parent can do is shut out the neurotypical child and keep them in the dark about their sibling’s diagnosis. They will naturally notice something different about their brother or sister, and not explaining it to them can be a source of great frustration. Parents need to slowly and patiently explain what autism is, the symptoms, and how to behave around their siblings. Understanding the diagnosis will help the neurotypical child develop empathy and adapt to their household situation better. They will also have more understanding of their parents and why they don’t spend as much time with them as they do with their siblings. Being open and honest can be healing, and it helps avoid those negative feelings of frustration and neglect.
Having Quality Time
While raising an autistic child can feel overwhelming sometimes, it’s important to still be able to see the beauty in it and have quality time as a family. Making an effort to spend time with your autistic child and doing something they love can be a beautiful thing. It will make you feel appreciative and grateful. The same goes for your neurotypical child. Spending quality time with them separately and together is an important step towards a healthy balance in your family.
In Conclusion
Balancing the needs of autistic and neurotypical children can be a complicated task, but it can also be beautiful. Your autistic child will need some extra attention, keeping the same routine, and a lot of patience. On the other hand, your neurotypical child will want you to be honest to help them understand what is happening. Living with an autistic sibling can be a beautiful thing that makes them more empathetic and teaches them how to appreciate differences in people. With good communication skills, empathy, and patience, you can balance the needs of your children and keep your family happy.
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