How to cope with a Autism Diagnoses

Finding out that your love one has a developmental disability can be a difficult event to cope with. Here I will share some tips on how to cope with such news.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Notebook or Journal
• Pen or Pencil
• Open Heart
• Clear Mind

1. Absorbing the News of Autism There is no right or wrong first reaction to the news of an Autism Spectrum Disorder. However, holding it all in will only hurt more than help. Take the time to sit alone to absorb the recent event you just learned of.
2. Notebook/ Journal Refer to your notebook or journal, and be sure to remember your pen or pencil. Label your notebook/journal for it's topic; such as: "My feelings and Autism", "My thoughts about Autism".
3. Writing Your first entry in your notebook/journal should be as free flow as possible. Let all your emotions out, do not hold back, do not fear what you may write. Release all of you through the flow of your pen or pencil.
4. Once you are finish writing all your emotions can offer, take a deep breath and put the notebook/journal down. Try not to read over what you just wrote, just place the book to the side and relax.
5. For the first week continue to keep a daily vent entry for your notebook/journal. With each week that passes you can gear yourself to suit your venting needs; this can be daily, every other day, or maybe even weekly. The important thing to remember is releasing your true feelings on paper is the most secure coping skill there is.

Tips & Warnings

• Share parts of your entries with family members or friends.
• Search for support groups where you can get feedback for your feelings.
• Remember you are not alone in your journey with Autism.
• Everyone handles situations differently, this is just advice and to be taken as such.
• I am not a medical doctor nor is my advice based on medical facts.