In December 1999 the world population was frantic, anticipating a problem called Y2K (Year 2000). This was because, computers coded in the 1960s used only two digits to represent the year; for example, '74' meant 1974. As the millennium approached, the year 2000 would be read as '00' and the question arose: how would the computers react? Almost all the industries were computerized - Hotels, Banks, Airlines... you name it. People expected flights to drop down if they were mid-air when the clock struck 12.00. Can you imagine the frenzy and the fear that could have existed? Of course, none of the predicted problems happened, there were some minor hitches. Around the same time, my son was diagnosed as autistic, and I expected a Y2K crisis in my life. Did it happen? No, nothing major - just a few hitches.
Many times, in life, things seem bigger than they are. They seem tougher, and we don't venture, thinking we can't do it. However, the universe can get us to do things we usually avoid because they seem difficult. After some time, when you look back, you wonder how you managed to carry it off so easily. So, you see the universe does not give you more than you can handle, and autism is not something to run away from.
My journey with my son has been a rollercoaster but it has been no different with my 18-year-old neurotypical daughter. So then, what makes autism more challenging?
The first step for parents is acceptance. Does it mean accepting their socially difficult behaviors, or correct the most inappropriate ones? And how much should be attributed to autism? There is a thin line between these and most parents grapple to find the balance. There are no right or wrong answers. You do what you do, but how you feel when you do it is all that matters.
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