Norway Mom its funny you mentioned this article, I have started reading 'ten things... book only today. I was about to google for this article.
Mary
I would add, make time to process your feelings. I didn't take time for it the whole first year after the diagnosis, and those heavy feelings were like a millstone around my neck, sapping my energy. I felt much better after dealing with those feelings through a class for parents of special needs kids, with life-coaching and support-group elements to the class.
I might also add, read the article "10 things every child with autism wishes you knew" by Ellen Notbohm. Ellen writes like a friend, gives you a positive attitude, and sums up the some of the most important things you need to know. Here's the link.
http://www.ellennotbohm.com/ten_things_article.html
Thanks for sharing the list.
I came across this today. Does anyone have any other tips to add?
http://www.awildride.net/blog/2007/08/on_vacation_this_week. html
7 Tips - Coping mechanisms for parents of children who have just been diagnosed with autism
1. Make sure that you are alone. Scream as loudly as your lungs permit, for as long as you are able. Cry until you are incoherent. Ensure that you have an adequate supply of tissues. [translation = several catering sized boxes of Kleenex]
2. Take a damp cloth and wipe your face until your breathing returns to approximately normal. [translation = your regular breathing rate]
3. Visit or phone a true pal [translation = friend] and/ or relative [translation = family member] and talk. Advise them that you are likely to blub [translation = weep] and that they do not need to respond, merely listen.
4. Start reading the paperwork that the professional who diagnosed your child gave you. N.B. If the pile of paper is too heavy to carry skip to the ‘recommendations’ page. N.B.B. make sure that you have a medical dictionary with a large font size at your elbow for reference.
5. If you find that your brain has shriveled to the size of a pea and that you are incapable of taking in technical information, push the paper work to one side and go and do your favourite thing instead. If you discover that your favourite thing is not working, do not worry, normal service will be resumed in the future.
6. I tell you truly that things will improve and that you CAN do this.
7. Seek out aforementioned child/[ren], the same child/[ren] who now owns a new label. Hug and kiss that same child/[ren] with or without labels.
On her blog, McEwen says about herself: I'm an "ex-pat from the UK. Middle aged, bifocaled and technically challenged. My Significant Other and I currently enjoy fragile custody of 3 minors and a major, two girls, two boys, two with blue eyes, two with brown eyes, two with autism, two without." Visit Whitterer on Autism for more of her wisdom and humor.
OOh that was lovely - I iwll add some more when I have time