148. Shifting Perspective; Looking Through A Different Lens

It's remarkable how our journey evolves over time.  Every
moment you're navigating, every lesson you're learning, it's all
building a foundation of skills and resilience that you'll carry
forward as your child grows. With each new challenge, you'll be
able to lean on the expertise you're cultivating right now. 


Even though Jordan is older now, I vividly recall those early
years that taught me skills that I still use, even now. With each
year that passes, you'll grow more confident, tapping into the
wisdom you've accumulated. Whether you're facing the
uncertainties of age 3 or navigating the complexities of the
teenage years, the experience you're gaining today will be your
guiding light for what’s to come.


You know, being the parent of a child with autism is a role that
requires an immense amount of strength, patience, and
understanding. I firmly believe that we, as parents, are the
ultimate resources for our children. It's our ability to ride the
waves of challenges, to take care of ourselves, and to be
resourceful that truly serves both us and our children.


And more importantly, your ability to weather the storm, to
prioritize self-care, and to tap into your resilience, it's not
just for you. It's the foundation for supporting your child. I
truly believe that our collective strength and mutual support are
game-changers in shaping our children's lives.


Have you ever noticed how, once you're deeply involved in the
world of autism, it can feel like you're seeing autism
everywhere?


All of a sudden, you've got these glasses on,
you might have heard them referred to as “autism-colored glasses”
and it's like the world is illuminated by autism
traits.  


It's like a new perspective opens up, and you begin attributing
behaviors to autism even in people you've known for years.


You've known people for years, but now, with this new
perspective, you're questioning if their quirks might be related
to autism.  There isn’t a family member that is exempt from
this personal evaluation.  AND Let me say this –
autism-colored glasses aren't necessarily a bad thing.


Our autism-colored glasses sometimes can lead to increased
anxiety and misguided actions. This happens when we attribute all
behaviors, even unrelated ones, to autism, which can
inadvertently create unnecessary stress for us and our children.
 


When you attribute every behavior to autism, you might miss the
bigger picture and end up feeling more stressed and anxious.


Sometimes if you start relating all your child's feelings and
behaviors to their autism, that mindset can lead you to believe
there's something to fix, that every behavior tied to autism is a
problem and that simply isn’t true.


Comparing our child's progress with neurotypical children can be
disheartening. Each child's journey is their own. For us, even
small achievements are significant. Our children and adults on
the spectrum have a wide range of abilities and levels of
independence. Some might require more support than others.


By understanding, respecting, and supporting parents like us, you
can contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate world for
all individuals, regardless of their differences.


If you want to learn strategies and tools that you can use to
improve your life along this autism parenting journey, be sure to
get over and get registered for our FREE
Course, Unburdened; Finding Balance Living
Alongside Autism 


⁠www.notyouraverageautismmom.com/freecourse ⁠


It is a self-paced video course that will help you reduce your
stress and overwhelm and show up better every day.


Additional Resources:


Follow us on Facebook so you won't miss an upcoming Community
Collective - Creating Collaborations Together


https://www.facebook.com/NotYourAverageAutismMom2020 


If there is a specific topic that you would like us to talk about
on the podcast, email us directly
at info@notyouraverageautismmom.com


Episode 96. Our Parenting Journey is Different


Episode 74. You Cannot Fix All the Things All the Time