3 Secrets of Autism

#1 - AUTISM IS AN INDIVIDUAL EXPERIENCE.
No one, I repeat, no one is living with your version of autism except you. Which means, NO ONE is an expert in your version of autism but YOU. Whether it is you, your own self, who is autistic or whether you are the parent of an autistic kiddo, like snowflakes, each experience is unique.

There's that autism saying, "If you've met one person with autism, then you know ONE person." When someone offers you advice, a friend, a teacher, a doctor, take it with a smile (even if you think it won't work for you). These people are trying to help you and /or your kiddo. Smile, believe in your heart that they want to do the best they can for you, and if it doesn't work, you've already tried it, whatever, you can ignore them.


#2 - BE ADAPTABLE.
Part of ignoring advice if you don't feel it fits with your family situation is also to adapt to what does work for your life. If your kid cannot take loud noises, then maybe you have to skip the Blue Angels Air Show. Or see if your munchkin will tolerate headphones.

Do birthday parties make you hit the ceiling? The sugary cake, the buzzing of voices, the flash of cameras make you want to go curl up in a corner and rock the stress away? Skip it!
 
Don't want to skip the party but afraid of getting into melt-down mode? Plan your exit ahead of time. Tell your host that you have another thing and can't stay too long. Having fun, no melt-downs in site? Remember that texting is a powerful tool and you can always tell your host that you received a text that changed your plans. Plan your exit ahead of time!



#3 - THERE IS NO SECRET TO AUTISM. 
What works for you to calm or soothe your overloaded nerves may not help someone else. Diet changes make work wonders for your sibling but not for you. (See #1) Your child will only eat Goldfish crackers and grapes? Then stick a package of Goldfish and a container of grapes in your travel bag and still go to out for dinner. Encourage your kid to try new things. Adapt to your life for what Works Right Now. (See #2)

You have to focus on what works for you. There are no Magic Beans. There is no Secret.