When Your Child Is First Diagnosed With Autism: How to Begin Helping Autistic Children Special Needs

I was asked to offer advice to a dad whose son was recently diagnosed with autism. Here's what I had to say:

"Please begin by discovering what it means for your son. My three sons and I have autism spectrum challenges and we are as different as we are alike. 

"He is an individual who needs to acquire the awareness of the skill gaps he has that make more difficult the results he wants to create.

"Begin teaching to those gaps with a sense of adventure instead of through the lens of a disability that needs correction. It's empowering to see himself as a treasure hunter in search of discovering new strategies versus a broken child.

"His life will likely be difficult growing up in a world slow to accept individual differences. The more he is comfortable in his own skin the greater his chances for attracting others to him instead of being off putting. Begin this way."

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community. Inspire and be inspired.