Expert Parent on Autism

One of the things I have learned in my 20+ years raising children with autism spectrum disorders is that the parent is the expert. We as parents spend a lot of time going to one doctor or another. We go to a variety of therapists. We go to the education system for help. In all of those people no one knows your child better than you do.

Everyone seem to be able to describe all of your child’s deficits and weaknesses. But one person alone knows all of your child’s strengths—you. And of course it is building on these strengths which is going to give your child any independence and happiness in life. You as the parent will also be the person there the longest. Siblings come in a close second and have their own insights but you are there the longest. Specific knowledge of your child and the length of your exposure to autism make you an expert.