Nursery World - A Unique Child: Autism

How does a family deal with having an autistic child? Hilary Hawkes offers reassuring advice.

Autism is a life-long developmental disorder affecting about half a million people in the UK. The autistic spectrum is very wide and each person can be affected differently. Discovering that their child has autism can be a bewildering experience for a parent and throws up many questions about the condition that they want answered. One area where they seek information is the effect of diagnosis, not just on the autistic child, but also on the rest of the family:

- What will the diagnosis mean for my child?

A diagnosis of autism for your child does not mean your child cannot have a happy childhood and adulthood. It does not mean they will not have interests and abilities that give them a lot of joy and sense of fulfilment. It does not mean your child will not have friendships and companionships. It does mean, however, that your child will approach and acquire all of these things in a different way. There will be some things your child will be unable to achieve, but with help, support and the right information, you can discover and develop your child's strengths.

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