Helpful Advice For Dads With Autistic Kids

When one Life of Dad user put out a call for parenting advice in the wake of his son being diagnosed with autism, many members of our Facebook community offered up their own personal experience. Here are a few first hand anecdotes to help this one dad and hopefully many others who are raising amazing kids with autism.

David Allendorf: One of the biggest deficit’s for children with autism is the social component. Look into a therapy known as Applied Behavioral Analysis or ABA offered by Action Behavior Centers. They apply the use of typical kids along with kids with autism, with the typical kids acting as “peer models” to help them integrate in social settings. I suggest looking into it now, as we are currently fighting the insurance landmines to get our daughter going on this therapy.

Georgia Ann Armijo: My 3 year old is autistic. I wish I’d known about early intervention services sooner, i wish I’d known how much ABA and OT would help her. Where we live early services are only provided until age 3, so she only got services for about 5 months and it did so much for her i can’t imagine how much more or could have done with more time. Now we’re stuck waiting to get her into special programs. I wish I’d been more prepared for how hard we’d have to fight for her. I wish I’d known how unsupportive some of my family would be so i could protect her from that before it hurt her. Now she’s afraid of my sister and her kids. And most of all i wish I’d known from the beginning that my husband and I CAN be enough for her, that together we are strong enough and smart enough to be able to provide the things she needs to help her find her way.

Terrence Atkins: Our son was diagnosed 20 years ago when autism was an unknown. So we had no idea where to seek help. Fortunately there are more resources and assistance available now. Prepare for his future, never give up on him, and l love him beyond measure. Do not let the autism win or use it as an excuse. Be patient, be proud. You are to embark on a tough journey, but you will be amazed how u and your son handle it together.

Thomas Billingsley: A dad of an autism son who will be four this Sunday here. Find a program that will help with learning. My son was is non verbal but is learning sign language. The school in my area is great he has learn so much sign and starting to say some words. The school also took his twin brother into the school and have been teaching him to understand how to interact with his brother in a constructive way. Love him and encourage him.

Jennifer Lynch Âû: My advice is follow through. Don’t change plans, don’t give answers such as we will see or maybe. Don’t let anybody else give those answers. No, Pop-pop you can’t say you will do this someday. That means the next time he sees you in autism world.

Chip Parsons: My son is autistic and my BEST piece of advice is to ALWAYS be an advocate for your son. Nobody knows your son as well as you do, so if advice from “experts” doesn’t sit well with you in your gut, listen to that. Ask for help when you need it, and you will find that there is great satisfaction and pride in the smallest victories for your boy.

Patty Plate: I have a now 19 yr old with autism spectrum disorder. Stay strong, don’t give in and never quit, for both yourself and you son. You’re going to shed as many tears during his meltdowns as he does. Stay strong.
I took my son off of all processed foods, all artificial colouring and additives. It took a huge hit on us financially but his behaviour changed almost instantly. To this day his ‘ticks’ surface when he eats certain things like white bread, red licorice or any processed foods.

He started speaking clearly (3yrs old) when we got him a small puppy. He thrived from the responsibility and non judgmental unconditional love he got from her. He had a best friend for 15 yrs.

I wouldn’t give in if he pointed to things instead of speaking or wouldn’t look at people because I knew he could do it. He acted ‘normal’ with the dog, it was with sheer will and determination on my part that he do that with people.

My son holds down a full time job he loves, bought his very first car , brand new 2 years ago and got his drivers license all on his own.

Aside from a few quirks most people don’t pick up on, you’d never guess he’s autistic. Stay strong and don’t give up on him.

Are you a parent of a child with autism? Please share your best advice with us on Facebook. Thank you!

*Flickr photo by Tim Pierce, used under Creative Commons license.