Photo by CDC

“It felt like the floor dropped out from under me.“

That’s how Meghan Herbert described the moment she got the autism diagnosis for her son, Owen when he was two. She knew something was different about him. Hearing it from the doctor hit her like a wave.

“I wanted to run out of that room and pretend it didn’t happen,” she said in an interview with Today Parents.

She didn’t run, but got up, walked out and started learning.

Source: “Autism diagnosis: Mom opens up about the moment she learned her son was on the spectrum” — Today.com

https://www.today.com/parents/mom-autism-diagnosis-son-t251695

If you’re reading this, you may be standing where Meghan once stood. You’re stunned, overwhelmed, and a little scared.

Find your calm, everything will be okay. You don’t have to figure it all out in one day.

You are your children’s greatest hero. You need to save and care for them in the journey ahead.

7 Things Every Parent Needs to Hear When a Diagnosis Changes Everything

Image from Peter Burdon

1. This Is Not Your Fault

Kindly permit me to say that again ‘this is not your fault’. It is not because of something you did or didn’t do. Neurodivergence is not a punishment. It is a different wiring. Your child is still whole, worthy, and deeply loved.

2. Grief Is Normal, So Is Joy

It is okay to cry, to feel sad, and even feel lost. You had dreams and expectations, but this diagnosis has changed the path you imagined.

Guess what?

There will also be laughter and surprises ahead, wins that will make you dance in your kitchen. Give yourself space for both.

3. You Are the Hero of Your Child’s Journey

Doctors, psychologists, educators, and therapists are your partners, yet you are the constant. You have the right to ask questions, say no, and to choose what is best for your child. Don’t be afraid to trust your gut. It is powerful.

4. Labels Don’t Limit Potential

A diagnosis is a tool, not a box.It opens the door to support, but it does not define the future. Your child can grow, thrive, and soar in ways you can not yet imagine.

5. Build a Village (Even If It’s Small at First)

No one should walk this journey alone. Find a support group. Talk to another parent. Start with just one connection because one can lead to many. Even online spaces like ‘The Mighty’, ‘Autism Speaks’, or Facebook groups can become lifelines. Sometimes, your greatest strength comes from knowing you are not alone.

6. Progress Is Not Always Linear

There will be great days. There will be days when nothing seems to work. That’s not failure; it is part of the rhythm. Celebrate the small steps. They matter more than you know. Over time, they become the milestones that shape the journey.

7. Your Love is the Best Therapy

You do not need a PhD or all the answers. You just need to show up. Read the story, ‘sing that song, and hold that little hand’. That is the power of healing, and it is more than enough.

This is What an Expert Has to Say

Dr. Rick Solomon is a developmental and behavioral pediatrician and founder of ‘The PLAY Project’, he explains:

“The most powerful therapy is a loving parent. What neurodivergent children really need is engagement, joy, and connection and that can start at home.”

Dr. Rick Solomon, in an interview with Autism Parenting Magazine, Issue 125 (2022).

As a parent, is there something you wish you had known when your child was first diagnosed? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Citations:

1. Herbert, Meghan. “Mom opens up about the moment she learned her son was on the spectrum.” Today.com.

https://www.today.com/parents/mom-autism-diagnosis-son-t251695

Solomon Rick. “The PLAY Project: Why Parent-Led Therapy Works.” Autism Parenting Magazine, Issue 125, 2022.

https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/the-play-project-therapy-autism/

Photo by RDNE Stock project:

A few years ago, Maya, a single mom of a boy with autism, found herself crying in the grocery store aisle. Her son had just had a meltdown over a broken snack package, and strangers stared. Some judged, while a few walked away. But one elderly woman didn’t. She looked Maya in the eye and said, “You’re doing great, mama. He’s learning.”

That simple moment changed Maya’s mindset. She wasn’t failing. Her son was learning. And learning is a journey, not a race.

That’s exactly what life skills are, learning moments we plant daily. When you have a child with special needs, these life lessons become even more precious. They build confidence, independence, and pride.

They create possibility.

Life Skills Will Help Your Child Build Confidence

Mind you, life skills will help prepare your child to face life challenges. The life skills will help boost your child’s confidence. Some of them could be as simple as buttoning a shirt, setting the table, recognizing emotions, or making simple choices.

These daily wins will empower your child with confidence.

The little wins will give them the ability to tackle a bigger challenge.

As a parent, you’re not only teaching your child skills. You’re nurturing self-worth.

The Unseen Side of the Journey

I would like to be honest with you, teaching life skills is not an easy task. It takes time, patience, repetition, and more patience.

At a point you may wonder, is this even working?

I encourage you not to give up on trying.

Do you know, it takes the Chinese bamboo tree five years to break through the ground?

For five long years, it will show no sign of growth above the soil. But beneath the surface, it’s building a deep and strong root system. It’s quietly preparing for a remarkable breakthrough.

Then, in just six weeks, it shoots up over 80 feet tall.

The question is, did the bamboo grow in six weeks or five years?

Teaching your child a life skill might be like germinating bamboo; your effort, consistency, and patience may not show results right away.

But that doesn’t mean growth is not happening. It’s building beneath the surface, strong, steady, unshakable.

Keep teaching, and believing. The breakthrough is coming.

The truth is, small steps lead to big wins.When your child learns to zip a jacket or wash a cup, it’s more than a task. It’s a confidence builder. Every time you pause to teach instead of rush to fix, you’re planting seeds of independence.

That’s heroic, you’re a hero parent.

You’re not failing, many parents feel overwhelmed. You’re carving a new path.

Are you worried about how to start?

You can always start small. Think simple, one task, one goal, and one success.

Here you have 3 practical ways to begin.

• Try to break tasks into tiny steps Instead of “clean your room,” start with “let’s put your toys in the bin.” Celebrate the effort, not perfection.
• Use visuals and routines. Children thrive on structure. Visual schedules and checklists are powerful tools that reduce stress and support learning.
• Model, practice, and praise Try to show it, do it together, and then let your child try. Make sure you praise progress always to encourage the child.

Always have this at the back of your mind, “It’s okay if it takes time, it’s okay if it’s messy“, that’s life and that’s learning. This will help you build your mental muscle for the stress.

What makes it all worth it?

The day your child will make a sandwich on his own, or will say “I can do it myself”. That’s where the magic lies.

You’re not only raising children, you’re raising future adults who believe in their own abilities.

Isn’t that a dream worth the try?

Here what an inclusive educator has to say

“Every student can learn, just not on the same day or in the same way.” — George Evans

Teaching life skills is more than perfection. It’s the connection. It’s showing up again and again, even when it’s hard.

You are your child’s first teacher and hero.

For every tiny win, that’s because you didn’t give up.

I encourage you today to give yourself credit. Take a deep breath, hug your child. Then teach one small skill with great love.

If you like this content, or you have a suggestion kindly share your thoughts with us in the comment section.

Last year, on April 30th, Mariah sat in her car outside the therapy center. She was watching her son through the glass window. He was flapping his hands with excitement while sorting puzzle pieces.

Tears filled her eyes, not because she was sad, but because the world had finally paused long enough to notice kids like hers. Autism Acceptance Month gave her hope. It gave her son visibility. It gave her community.

But when the banners came down, the hashtags stopped trending. The colors faded, she felt something many special needs parents do.

Does that feeling sound familiar?

If you’re raising a child with autism, April can feel like a warm hug from the world. But what about May? June? The rest of the year?

You should always remember you’re not just a parent. You’re a hero.

Even a teacher, especially if you’re homeschooling or walking through IEPs and therapies.

So how do you keep going strong even when the spotlight dims?

I would love to talk about how you, the hero in your child’s story can keep showing up with strength, strategy, and heart all year long.

5 Ways to Support Your Child Even After Acceptance Month Ends

• Make Sure Everyday Visibility Count

Autism Acceptance shouldn’t be seasonal. You can build awareness and education right from your home.

You can share your child’s strengths with family and friends.

Celebrate the small wins. That new word, that brave step, they matter.

Let your child be seen, heard, and valued daily. It starts with you modeling it.

When others see how much you value your child, it shifts how they respond.

• Make Sure You Create a Sensory-Safe Routine

Autistic children thrive in routines that make them feel safe. Keep those calming strategies you learned in April going strong.

Use visual schedules.

Make time for sensory breaks.

Choose learning tools that align with your child’s sensory preferences.

Don’t underestimate how structure reduces anxiety. This is not just for your child, but for you too.

• Stay Connected with Your Tribe

Your support system shouldn’t vanish after April.

Join online communities or local meetups for parents of children with autism.

Keep learning through books, blogs, and professional advice.

Most importantly, connect with other parents who get it.

The journey feels lighter when you don’t walk it alone.

• Try to Empower, Don’t Overpower

As your child grows, so should their sense of autonomy. This may look different for each child, but you should have a goal.

Help your children discover who they are, not just what they need.

Give them choices. Let them express opinions, even with visuals or assistive devices. That’s how confidence grows.

• Make Sure to Refill Your Cup

You cannot pour from an empty cup. Self-care isn’t selfish, it’s necessary.

Take mental breaks.

Don’t be shy to say yes to help.

Allow yourself to grieve, to laugh, and most importantly, to breathe.

You’re not failing when you rest. You’re preserving your power.

Hear What One Hero Parent Has to Say

Ehimwenma Bello-Osagie, an autism parent advocate and educational consultant in Nigeria, emphasizes the importance of year-round awareness and support. She believes that. Vanguard News

“Every special child has a special parent who must adapt to their unique world,” and stresses the need for early detection and consistent support to use the talents of children with autism effectively.

The Reason This Matters

The truth is, your child is autistic every month of the year. And your love, your patience, your advocacy, that’s the real acceptance they need most.

I, Prof. Sherley Louis, I see you. I stand with you. And I believe in your child’s full potential, not just in April, but always.

I encourage you to continue to build a world where inclusion isn’t just celebrated once a year.

But in every day, in every classroom, at every table, and in every heart.

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©Prof. Sherley Louis

They said your child couldn’t learn like others. They told you to look for alternative centers. But deep down, you know your child is special. Not just because of autism, but because of who they are.

And now, it’s Autism Acceptance Month. Everyone is posting gold ribbons. Sharing facts. Lighting up buildings.

But you want to do something real. Something that honors your child.

But the truth is, you don’t need the world’s permission to celebrate your child. You don’t need a big campaign. You only need a shift in how you see progress.

As a parent you feel left out during Autism Awareness Month. You see the stories online. Children speaking, performing, succeeding. You may wonder, “Why isn’t that my child?”

Yes, it’s natural to think that way but comparison can steal your joy. But your child’s journey is not late. It’s just different.

You might have cried, doubts, but you can also witness a breakthrough.

Like Leila and her son Omar, from The MENA region. At age four, Omar couldn’t sit for more than a few minutes. Meltdowns were part of every day. At the majlis, at family gatherings, even at home, Leila felt the stares and the silent judgment.

Someone told her, “Maybe just keep him at home.” But Leila refused.Leila created simple routines after Fajr. She used his favorite nasheeds to calm him.

She celebrated every peaceful moment, even two quiet minutes during Qur’an time. Then, one quiet afternoon, Omar came and sat beside her. He didn’t speak.

But he gently placed her hand on the book she was reading. That was his way of saying, “Mama, I’m ready.”

Today, Omar is learning to read Arabic slowly. He still flaps his hands when excited.But now, the family calls it his happy dance.

And Leila? She says that moment on the floor, his hand on hers was the beginning of everything. When you see your children differently, you will celebrate them differently.

These are ways you can truly celebrate your child this month.

• Start a “Wins” Journal – Write one thing your child did today that made you proud. Big or small. It could be a smile, eye contact, or a full meal.
• Learn Together – Read and learn one new thing with your children. Let them ask questions, be curious together.
• Speak about Life – Tell your child what you love about them. Be specific, be sincere, every day this month.
• Create a Celebration Ritual – It can be as simple as baking together. Lighting a candle. Saying a prayer of gratitude.

If it feels right, you can share your child’s progress in your community not for praise but to motivate other parents who might be struggling.

Don’t wait for the world to celebrate your child. Do it now. Do it daily. You are their loudest cheerleader and their super hero

This Autism Acceptance Month is special. It’s about love. And your child deserves to be loved.

I encourage you to make this month a reminder that your child is not only accepted, but loved by you. Moreso by the world he’s slowly beginning to shine in.

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©Prof. Sherley Louis