Parenting on the Spectrum
Connect, Reframe, Advocate and Be Grateful By Priya Tronsgard
O
ver the past 12 years, I’ve learned so much about children, family, and youth. I was the director of a licensed childcare facility in my hometown of East Vancouver. I held a position on the advisory committee for Children, Family, and Youth in the City of Vancouver. I’m also a proud parent of two neurodivergent children, and I am working on an audiobook called Reframe: A Guide for Caregivers and Parents for Neurodivergent Children. From all my experience, I can tell you that parenting children who are autistic is unique, rewarding, and insightful. As a parent of two neurodivergent children, I love advocating for neurodivergence. What is it exactly? Simply put, neurodivergence is having a brain that processes information, learns, and expresses differently from what
is considered ‘typical’. Examples of neurodivergence include autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, FASD, ODD, Dyslexia, and language delays. Parenting on the spectrum,* or rather parenting autistic children, is different for every parent because each child is unique. Some children speak while others do not. Some experience seizures. Some are sensitive to textures or smells, and other children are sensitive to sounds or lights. They may not eat enough or only eat limited foods. Some children are elopers/flight risks, while others may be violent or aggressive towards themselves while frustrated. Do these characteristics sound familiar? There are so many *It’s important to note that in the autism community, many self-advocates and their allies prefer terminology such as “autistic,” because they understand autism as an inherent part of an individual’s identity.
combinations of behaviour that keep us as parents up at night. Whatever your concerns may be, I want to reassure you that they are valid, and every parent needs support on their parenting journey on the spectrum. Here are some things that helped me create agency, community, and appreciation to help families thrive with an autism diagnosis. Get connected in the community with likeminded parents and caregivers. As the
parent of a newly diagnosed child, you may feel broken, torn, vindicated, validated, bittersweet, or relieved. Adjusting to the diagnosis and the realities of life can feel overwhelming. We must rearrange our schedules and our daily lives to fit in assessments, meetings, and different therapy sessions. You may think, “Who can do all of this on their own?” bcparent.ca • education issue 2021 15
