Asperger's Syndrome - After the Autism diagnosis

After the Autism diagnosis

Each of us will cope differently with the news that a cherished one is, or you yourself are, diagnosed with an ASD. One matter we all have in common is the overall feeling that you are alone as you face the emotional stress and anxiety of the situation. Particularly, the fear of the unknown.

You need to allow yourself to grieve. You cannot help yourself or your child until you can come to terms with the diagnosis. Be upset. But understand you will have better days than the present. Find out what is most important. Focus on that. Take one step at a time. Write down your feelings and questions. That often helps.

Many people find it easy to see the weaknesses in others and themselves. The stimulating challenge is to focus on the abilities. There lies the greatest reward.
No story will ever be the same. Everybody is unique. But there will be noticeable similarities in experience.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve. All your feelings are normal. It is useful, however, to understand that human grief is a routine that often follows a healing pattern.

We have listed the phases people generally go through below. But it is important to realize it is not a scientific fact that everybody goes through the phases in a chronological way. The feelings may come and go.

1. Shock: Shock is the first stage. It is accompanied by disbelief and numbness. People who experience emotional numbness say they have a sense of being paralyzed, distant, and removed from their feelings of grief.
2. Denial and Isolation: Denial follows quickly, crying “I don’t believe it,” or “It can’t be.” In this stage, the person experiencing grief and bereavement has significant difficulty accepting the reality of their loss. While complete acceptance is part of the work of the entire grief process, the initial more acute difficulties with acceptance are included in this phase.
3. Anger: Anger is another big factor, which seems to be necessary in order to face the reality of life and then to get beyond it. We must all heal in our own ways. Anger is a natural stage through which we must pass. In this phase, the grieving person feels anger with the world, fate, God, or people in their lives. He or she may ask, “Why me?” and/or “Why not someone else?” during this phase.
4. Depression: Depression is a stage of grief that comes and goes. Knowing this, be prepared to give yourself time to heal. Resignation is a late stage. It comes when finally you accept the truth. As time passes, grieving individuals experience acknowledgement and acceptance of loss.
5. Acceptance: The bereaved person comes to terms with the loss, and is able to move on to re-invest in the different life that lies ahead. He or she will experience fewer extremes of emotion and will understand that things will never be the same but that life goes on and a new meaning and purpose will eventually be found.
After the Autism diagnosis

Where do we go after grieving

Where do we go after grieving. Don’t be frightened to ask your pediatrician or GP everything that’s on your mind

Coping Mechanisms

Coping Mechanisms. In dealing with disease, people tend to use one of the two main coping strategies: either problem focused or emotion focused coping. Fear can prevent a parent from wanting to diagnose his or her child with ASD, but ignoring its presence won’t make it go away. If your child has ASD, you need to know this so that you can come to terms with your feelings – they will of course be powerful – and do what you can to maximize your child’s quality of life. There are a number of strategies you can use to help you, your child, your spouse, and other members of your family to adjust. Look at the places and people that surround you in your home, your immediate family, your close friends, and local support groups. You also can (and should) get professional assistance. There are others who have been through what you are going through. Find them.