Something to Remember about Raising an Autistic Child (or any child for that matter)

11/21/2012

Photo Credit: Pink Sherbert Photography

"I wish I had known my children's behavior was a language...." I think this applies to any child, but is particularly relevant to raising an autistic child, who may not be able to verbally communicate their wants and needs. As soon as I saw this, I wanted to share it with you. Let me know in the comments what you think of this piece. CONTINUE READING

I wish I had known that my children’s behavior was a language – that their actions and words were telling me something about what they were feeling or thinking. I wish I’d remembered that they did not get up in the morning plotting to do things to frustrate me.

I wish I’d known that meltdowns and explosions usually meant my kids were tired, or hungry, or bored or frustrated themselves. I wish I’d known that they needed an adult to help them find the words to express what was troubling them. But they sure didn’t need a frustrated adult.

I wish I’d known more about child development, brain development and behavior. I wish I’d known that growing up is a slow process. I wish I’d known how each development stage has its own way of seeing the world. I wish I’d known that most times they saw things very differently from me.

I wish I’d listened more to what was true about their hearts and spirits and personalities than worrying about what other people thought of their behavior.

SOURCE: Dawn Hallman, M.A., Executive Director of the Dallas Association for Parent Education, dallasparents.org

I wish I had known that my children's behavior was a language.... click quote to tweet

I wish I'd known that meltdowns and explosions usually meant my kids were tired, or hungry, or bored or frustrated.... click quote to tweet

I wish I'd listened more to what was true about their hearts... than worrying about what other people thought of their behavior. click quote to tweet