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| |    How to Cope with a Diagnosis of Autism by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. reviewed by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. The first reaction of parents when a doctor tells them their child has autism is often shock. Other feelings soon follow: anger, disbelief, and, sometimes, a sense of relief at having been released from the uncertainty and tension of not knowing. Usually parents have been worried for a long time. The possibility of autism may have been raised before, but the diagnosis itself is so frightening that parents might have grasped at alternative explanations. One of the first questions parents ask is, "Will my child learn to talk?" Behind that question are bigger ones: Will he ever be "normal"? Will he be able to go to school, get a job, have a family? The answer, of course, is that no one can predict the future. In the past 20 years, however, experts have discovered that early, intensive educational therapy can make a significant difference in the lives of many children with autism. Children who were once thought beyond hope can, in some cases, learn to communicate and function well. On the other hand, most children with autism experience some degree of lifelong disability, which affects their ability to function on a daily basis. Faced with a new diagnosis of autism, parents need to be optimists, activists, and realists. It takes a tremendous amount of emotional energy, as well as plain hard work, to organize and carry out a treatment program for a child with autism. There is a definite chance that these efforts will pay off in improved functioning for a child, but there's no way to know, from the outset, how much a particular child will ultimately improve. Finding support One of the first things parents are anxious for is information. They need to know that nothing they did, or did not do, caused the disorder's onset. Beyond that, a huge number of practical questions need answering: How do you find the best doctors and therapists? What medical and educational assessments must be done? Which of many possible treatments do you undertake? Aside from the information here on drspock.com, the Autism Society of America (ASA) provides a central clearinghouse for information, including where to find a local parent support group. Another excellent source of this information is other parents. Talking with folks who are coping with the same challenges of autism is often extremely positive and helpful. These parents are proof that living with a child with autism can be a rewarding and joyful experience for a family, even though it is never easy. You can find the Autism Society of America at www.autism-society.org. To find a local ASA group near you, see the ASA local group map.
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