Georgian poetess on raising children with autism
Diana Anpimiadi is a Georgian poetess and the mother of a seven-year-old son. She shares several tips with parents who, like her, are raising children who fall in the autistic spectrum.
Recently, the number of friends I have on Facebook has increased. There are many mothers among them who ask me about autism. Some of them are nervous. There are probably those who do not write. This short message is addressed to them.
When is it time to go to the therapist?
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First off, stop it with those stories of Einstein who allegedly only spoke at the age of seven, with theories that boys start talking later than girls.
Is your child two years old? Does he or she not use language for communication, but at the same time and without hesitation can pronounce “hydroelectric power station” or “parallelogram”? Quickly: go to the therapist!
Call things by their name
This is a difficult stage. You can work, tirelessly, to do everything just to not say the word ‘autism’. Fear overcomes you when you hear this word. Everyone is afraid of it. But forget about everyone.
The diagnosis is management, strategy and information. Therefore, everything must be called by its proper name. Considering the diagnosis and starting therapy is a long and difficult process.
Another mother
Find another mother with more experience. Communicate with her and share in her experience. I was lucky, the woman I found was calm, positive and reassured me.
Communicating with her was a rewarding experience.
Don’t give in to anxiety
No matter how difficult, you should not panic, it only hinders you without helping. Also, your child will also become more nervous and will feel guilty if he or she sees your own anxiety.
I had hysteria for about three or four days. I cried. I wrote poems. And then I became happier later on when I saw my child’s success.
Things will work out, believe me.
The main thing is your child
The main thing should be the interests of the child and their priorities.
Forget about all the small things.
“Oh, I will transfer my child to another class because the parents of children in this class are concerned,” or “I will not make any comments to the kindergarten teacher, she has a low salary as well,” – forget about all the small things. The main thing is the child, everything else is of secondary importance.
Don’t be afraid
Everything will be settled, everything will be fine. Work, do not be afraid. Pretend you’re trying to solve a puzzle, a computer game in which you need to achieve a “new life” and score points.
