Do you Have What it Takes to Raise an Autistic Child?
No mum gives birth to their child thinking that they will have to take on the monumental journey of raising an autistic child. No one , at the beginning can fully comprehend what is required to become the parent that their autistic child so desperately needs. Questions like Am I strong enough for this? Am I patient enough? Do I even have what it takes to do this? Will circle through a mums mind. Nervous and afraid of what the future holds.
Those questions aren’t signs of weakness. They’re the signs of a parent who loves their child so deeply that they want to get it right.
Firstly, let me share one huge myth…there’s no such thing as the perfect parent—neurodivergent child or not. Raising an autistic child doesn’t require perfection. It requires something far more real: courage to keep showing up, even on the days you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, or doubting yourself.
But, I can tell you after almost a decade of raising my autistic son what has worked for me and for other mums on the same/similar journey:
Patience
This is a big one. Not all of us are patient, in fact we’re far less patient when we’re sleep deprived, exhausted or completely touched out. This journey will teach you that the only way forward is through patience. Your autistic child isn’t running a race against time or their peers. They’re living day to day and your patience is a huge factor on how they show up. Through your patience, they can co-regulate, find a solution and navigate tricky situations.
Flexibility
When you’re raising an autistic child, flexibility will have to be one of the top traits you’ll need to succeed. Change seems to be on the horizon because sometimes your child can’t go to the birthday party or the supermarket. You’ll need to be flexible with which school you choose for your autistic child, and it may not be the one that you had in mind or the one you put their name down on the waiting list when they were first born.
Advocacy
You’ll learn quickly that you will become your child’s biggest, strongest and fiercest advocate. You will learn to have your voice be heard even if it shakes. You will know that without your voice your autistic child cannot thrive. Get in the seat of project manager because your assignment has begun.
Resilience
I have never seen resilience shine as much as when I look at a mum who’s raising a neurodivergent child. The sheer amount of will, persistence and consistency you need to rise above all the setbacks is truly remarkable. That resilience will pay off when you see your child achieve the things that you thought they’d never ever be able to do. Hold tight to those feelings because you can tap into that when you’re feeling like you cannot go on.
I want to remind you…you don’t have to be an expert on your autistic child because you are already one…but first you must believe it. You see most parents, especially mums raising autistic children don’t believe or recognise that they are the ones that will be the biggest game changers for their child.
If you tell your brain that you can’t do something, your brain will ensure that you cannot and will not be able to do that thing. Touch a spider or swim with sharks. Your brain is a computer and you’re writing the code… how do you want to write the code?
So, do you have what it takes to raise an autistic child?
Yes! You do. Not because you’re superhuman, but because you’re their parent. And that, more than anything else, is what it takes.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Podcast Episode #44: Life-Changing Social Programs for Young People with a Disability
In this week’s episode I spoke with Bianca Sher Participant Manger for Flying Fox.
Flying Fox, a youth-run organisation that provides fun, social, and life-changing opportunities for young people with disability. With a background in social work, Bianca is deeply passionate about inclusion and community building. She plays a vital role in supporting and facilitating meaningful experiences for over 200 participants in the Flying Fox community, helping to foster genuine connections and lifelong memories.
In our conversation we spoke about:
▶️ Programs offered by Flying Fox
▶️ The level of support that Flying Fox provide
▶️ How unique Flying Fox are in terms of supporting their participants.
▶️ Why Flying Fox is called Flying Fox.
▶️ What makes Flying Fox unique and stand out against all the rest.
If you’re looking for a program to help and support your autistic child partake in lots of social events, Flying Fox is exactly what you need!
To listen to the podcast episode, click here.
💻 If you’re needing some extra support whilst navigating the journey of autism, please book in your free call today.
Book in a FREE call, select the time that suits you.
