AUTISM PARENTING ADVICE
Lessons Learned From Years Gone By
A MOM OF AN AUTISTIC TEEN SHARES WISDOM SHE HAS LEARNED THROUGH THE YEARS.
By Tulika PRASAD
As my son turns 13, I reflect upon the years gone by. Those who have been a part of our journey would agree that our journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.Compared to most, our joys and our challenges have been different in so many ways, and surprisingly, similar in just as many.
The past 10 years growing with my son have taught us lessons in humility, acceptance, and perseverance…and this is just the beginning.While I could write pages on what the experience has been like this far, here are just a few things I’ve learned.
1. It’s both a sprint and a marathon
I have heard many special needs parents say we need to slow down because raising our kids is not a sprint, it’s a marathon, and we need to judiciously use our energy. It really is wonderful advice, and generally speaking, it works great. Except, sometimes you have to run a sprint within this marathon too, and then take a rest before starting again.
Some challenges can feel like a sprint, taking up all your emotional and physical strength and pushing you to your limits; no matter how hard you try to pace yourself. Though these situations might differ for every parent, they will happen for all.
However, the reward at the end is worth every bit of sweat and tears when you see your child succeed or overcome a struggle. For the most part, though, it is a marathon where the key is patience and persistence. There is no other way.