# 10 Things That Parents Of Autistic Children Want You to Know

- Link: https://stayathomemum.com.au/family/kids/10-things-that-parents-of-autistic-children-want-you-to-know/
- Published: 2021-03-23T13:25:07+11:00
- Author: Clare Whitfield

## _Most people find that when it comes to their babies, it’s love at first sight._

> This is the nature of being a parent. We are all biologically programmed to love
> and take care of our babies from the moment they are born, and although heartbreaking
> and hard, an autism diagnosis will not change that.

Parents want a smiling, joyful baby, one that is healthy and ready to enter the 
world. But seeing that baby change from carefree and innocent into fearful and withdrawn
is hard to cope with. Most parents of an autistic child will do anything they can
to unlock their child’s complex mind, but even the basics are often out of reach.
For those on the outside, it can be hard to understand what’s going on, and how 
to deal with it.

So, there are a few things that those parents, struggling in the trenches of autism,
want you to know. Here are 10 things parents of autistic children want you to know.

## 1. Autistic children may display odd behaviour.

This is because autism is a complex neuro-behavioural disorder. This means you’ll
notice that apart from the rigid, repetitive behaviour such as ongoing rocking or
hand flapping, there will be impairments in social interaction with problems in 
language and communication skills.

[⌊Autistic child playing with educational blocks at home⌉⌊Autistic child playing with educational blocks at home⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Autism-051-e1449116991897.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

## 2. Some children show signs from birth.

…while others will develop normally at first and then slip into symptoms when they
are between 18 months old and 36 months. It can be an unexpected blessing if autism
is caught in infancy. The young brain’s plasticity is able to respond to treatment,
and if signs are detected before 18 months of age, intensive treatment can help 
to ‘rewire’ the brain so that your baby becomes more responsive.

[⌊Baby tummy massage for relaxation and parent child connection⌉⌊Baby tummy massage for relaxation and parent child connection⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/baby.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

via msutoday.msu.edu

## 3. Autism is four times more common in boys.

It is interesting to note that autism is more prevalent in boys. But autism isn’t
restricted to a certain gender, race or social standing. Anyone can have autism,
and many children show their autism in different ways.

There is no cure for autism, but therapists can help autistic children to communicate
better and maybe learn a sign language to get a message across. The therapist can
also help improve the child’s social skills so that they can enjoy playing in a 
group.

[⌊Child with autism standing outdoors looking serious and thoughtful⌉⌊Child with autism standing outdoors looking serious and thoughtful⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/SadAutisticBoy-600x420.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

via kidspot.com.au

## 4. Tantrums do not mean children are wild.

Many people are alarmed and disgusted when they see children throwing tantrums, 
especially in public. But when it comes to autistic children, tantrums aren’t a 
sign of an undisciplined child. It is a way to demonstrate their frustration at 
not being able to get their message across and not getting the reaction they want
from their parent.

[⌊Things parents of autistic children want you to know | stay at home mum⌉⌊Things
parents of autistic children want you to know | stay at home mum⌉[

## 5. Autistic children can surprise you.

Sometimes, autistic children may appear to be completely normal, but at other times,
their autism portrays a large spectrum of symptoms which can be severe with devastating
disabilities that may even require institutional care.

On the other hand, while autistic children may have problems in areas such as the
ability to communicate and relate to other people, they often surprise everyone 
by having unusual skills in other areas such as making music, memorising facts that
other people quickly forget, drawing and painting. It is amazing that autistic children
can often test unusually high with non-verbal intelligence tests.

[⌊Parent and child engaging in a calming activity for children with autism⌉⌊Parent and child engaging in a calming activity for children with autism⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/B9316482153Z.1_20150305194125_000_GACA4QAG9.1-0.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

via argusleader.com

## 6. They can find it hard to understand.

You can often talk in the most simple language, but you may find that an autistic
child will have difficulty understanding what people say, particularly with strangers.
It is hard for them to express themselves through gestures and words. Some parents
start using sign language to get through to an autistic child and stress that the
sign language may become so deeply ingrained that the autistic child will never 
learn to talk. The autistic child usually speaks in an abnormal tone of voice and
repeats the same words over and over. When you ask them a question, they may respond
to your question not by answering it, but rather by repeating it.

[⌊Via www Cbsnews Com⌉⌊Via www Cbsnews Com⌉[

via [http://www.cbsnews.com](http://www.cbsnews.com)

## 7. Rewarding good behaviour makes a difference.

Positive reinforcement can go a long way to boost an autistic child and it will 
be well worth the effort to praise them when you see them doing something that is
good and worthy of praise such as learning a new skill.

[⌊Autistic child smiling with a healthcare professional holding a jar of colourful toys⌉⌊Autistic child smiling with a healthcare professional holding a jar of colourful toys⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/57439926.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

## 8. Taking breaks is hard.

You can’t just pack up and go away for the weekend when you have an autistic child.
Children with autism do not adjust to changes well and they struggle when things
are not in their usual place. As a result, it’s almost impossible to take a break
as you would with a regular child.

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## 9. Homes have to be safety-proofed.

With an autistic child, you need to safety-proof your home and create a private,
relaxing and secure space for the child. If your child is prone to tantrums or even
other self-injury kind of behaviour, you will need to take steps to prevent unnecessary
injury such as putting up safety gates that prevent your autistic child from venturing
into certain areas of the home.

[⌊Child covering mouth showing concern or anxiety highlighting emotional needs of autistic children⌉⌊Child covering mouth showing concern or anxiety highlighting emotional needs of autistic children⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Autism-what-to-say-e1449209162984.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

via blogs.babycenter.com

## 10. It’s very hard when they’re babies.

Most babies love to be tickled and respond with laughter and love when you pull 
funny faces and engage with them. An autistic child doesn’t always make eye contact
and also uses facial expressions that aren’t in keeping with what they are trying
to say. Not smiling, not being able to follow objects visually, not responding to
cuddling, not reaching out to be picked up and not sharing any interests or enjoyment
with you can be heartbreaking for any parent, and you’ll be doing everything you
can to have your baby smiling at you and joining in the fun.

[⌊Mother cuddling a happy baby showcasing love and care for children with autism⌉⌊Mother cuddling a happy baby showcasing love and care for children with autism⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/6725918.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1)

youngsvillepediatrics.com

> There are many different treatments available and there is no single treatment
> that will work for everyone. Each autistic child is unique and comes with his 
> or her own different strengths and weaknesses. The treatment you get for your 
> child should be tailored according to their unique needs.

#### ![Phps5uj1jpm](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/phpS5Uj1jPM.jpg?resize=527%2C351&quality=89&ssl=1 "Parent and Child Interaction")

> You need to build on the strengths they have and get help for those particular
> behaviour patterns that are causing the most problems with your child. Although
> it can be challenging to bring up an autistic child, it is not impossible and 
> you are not alone.

## _How do you handle an autistic child?_

[[

![author avatar](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/
12/clare_whitfield_profile.webp?quality=80&ssl=1)

 Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

 Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical
home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney,
she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school 
age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience
in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

 [See Full Bio](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/) [  ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/)