AUTISM - And The 7 Stages Of Grief

When your child is diagnosed with autism. It is normal to react with shock and grief. There is nothing shameful, or bad about needing to process the very big news that your child has a disability.

1. DENIAL

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No! No, no, no, no, no! You're wrong. She's definitely NOT autistic. She's just taking her time to reach those milestones.

2. ANGER

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How DARE you suggest my child is AUTISTIC! How DARE you scare me like that. How DARE you judge her. YOU have a problem. She's going to grow up and be normal. You'll see!

3. BARGAINING

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Okay. So, she's autistic. I can cope with that. Just please, make her low on the spectrum. Please, make it easy. Please make her grow out of it. Please, make her as normal as possible. I can cope. Just, make it mild autism. Please God. Oh, God, Please.

4. GUILT

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It's my fault. I'm mildly autistic too. I shouldn't have had children. I did this to her. If she ever suffers, it will be because of me. What if I did something when she was in the womb that made her this way? Was it my medication? My diet? It's my fault.

5. DEPRESSION

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It's so hard. It's too hard, and things are never going to get better. I'm a terrible Mother. I can't take care of my own baby. My baby. She's never going to speak, or hug me, or look into my eyes. I will never know if she hears me, or loves me. It's never going to get better.

6. ADJUSTMENT

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What if I change my mindset? I want to try. I want to understand. I want to help. What can I do? Is there help? Is there anyone else like me? Like her? I'm ready to change. Please help me.

7. ACCEPTANCE

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How did I not realize this before? This little girl. She is everything she should be. She is perfect the way she is. And I will do anything I can to make her know that, to make her feel safe, to support her every step. She is special. She is amazing. She is mine.