\u201cThere are certainly no guidelines on how to parent a child with different needs [and therefore] we take every day as it comes, doing our best and being present.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This according to a Strand mother on navigating life with a daughter on the autism spectrum, which has the family continuously learning and adapting in hopes of cultivating an understanding of the disorder and embracing the toddler with love and acceptance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The doting parent, who preferred to share insight into the challenges of raising a child living with the disorder on condition of anonymity, recalled her daughter \u201cRae\u201d (as referred to throughout the article) being diagnosed with level-3 autism at the tender age of 18 months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rae is non-verbal and battles severe challenges in social communication and inflexible behaviour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Rae initially reached all her development milestones very fast, she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) after she had stopped responding to her name and babbling a few months before turning a year. \u201cShe could say \u2018Mamma\u2019 and \u2018Dadda\u2019; wave bye, look where I would point, and play peekaboo and laugh so loud, but all this had stopped around nine months and I knew something was wrong,\u201d shared her mom, who at the time did not know where to turn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the parent, she initially suspected that her daughter had lost her hearing as she had suffered recurrent ear infections. However, after treatment, which comprised several courses of antibiotics, visits to ear, nose and throat specialists and multiple hearing tests, this proved not to be the case. Eventually having her screened and learning that she is on the autism spectrum, brought about an initial sadness for the parent, who felt she had now lost the kind of life she had envisioned for her beloved daughter since knowing she was pregnant. \u201cI was scared because I didn\u2019t know how I\u2019d be able to give her the tools to be a functional individual in our society, and my thoughts went a million directions for days,\u201d recalled the parent. \u201cWe made some changes to our lifestyle, [and] we are all still learning and adjusting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through the difficult, but humbling journey the local family has learnt to be more thoughtful and handle situations \u201cgracefully\u201d by slowing down and being present \u201cbecause every child is unique and so too their needs\u201d. The journey has not only enriched them but brought about renewed gratitude for kindness, especially as their daughter\u2019s voice, and the ability to tap into a deeper sense of courage to do what\u2019s right by her even when fear starts to set in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Disorder aside, Rae is a happy toddler who enjoys walks and running, and jumping on literally every surface. She loves her big sister and playtime together. She is fascinated by seeing the wind in the trees. She is very brave, and does not hesitate going down the slides at play parks or being thrust into the air on a swing. \u201cShe loves opening your mouth and inspecting your teeth,\u201d her mom added. \u201cIt\u2019s the cutest thing,\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The parent further set straight the misconception that children on the autism spectrum have to look or be a certain way physically. She urged others parenting a child on the spectrum to shake off any shame or shyness and champion speaking up and advocating for their child, who \u201cdepends solely\u201d on their protection and support. \u201cFamily members, call and check in on the parents and offer to help in any way \u2013 we really need [the support] and are [often] too afraid to ask. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOther parents, teach your children to be kind to other little ones, who play differently and, instead of avoiding or bullying them, get to know them and their interests. To those grown-ups looking in and possibly seeing another parent in the mall, shops or restaurant with a kid screaming, fighting and generally having a meltdown, know that parenting a toddler on the spectrum is sometimes very overwhelming, especially when trying do get things done while out and about. We cannot just shush our kid, or make other people feel comfortable at that point, understand the child is priority and please offer to pick up the toy or the bread the parent is reaching for on the shelf with a kicking, screaming kid on the hip.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Rae is still a toddler the parent has dedicated herself to doing what\u2019s best for her little girl and giving her all the necessary tools to pursue and realise her dreams, whatever they may be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRae is loved, and accepted. She is perfectly made the way she is. She is my child, our blessing, who is also neurodivergent,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In commemorating Autism Awareness Month (April), the parent is focused on celebrating Rae and others who are on the spectrum just like her. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cThere are certainly no guidelines on how to parent a child with different needs [and therefore] we take every day as it comes, doing our best and being present.\u201d
\nThis according to a Strand mother on navigating life with a daughter on the autism spectrum, which has the family continuously learning and adapting in hopes of cultivating an understanding of the disorder and embracing the toddler with love and acceptance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":49035,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"77bb546c-c64c-4bf5-880b-5b971e107adb","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"","article_feature_type":"","article_main_image_caption":"","article_media_icon":"","article_template":"","author_byline":"Jamey Gordon","background_color":"","block_editor":"","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":[],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-79834","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n