It is a typical human tendency to avoid everything that makes us vulnerable, we choose to stay in denial. Autism or Autism spectrum disorder is a condition related to brain development where the patients will have difficulty in communicating, socializing, and interacting. This spectrum usually begins in early childhood and evolves with age. Well, several parents choose to ignore the fact that their children have problems communicating and socializing. They often take refuge under the terms, ‘slow learner’, ‘lazy’, etc. the child’s behaviour will be very challenging in the coming years if the treatment and required action is not taken on time.
The following are a few reasons why parents stay in denial about autism
Social Disapproval
Parents are much worried about what society thinks about their child and family. Mental disorder is not a social stigma, parents should stop treating them like that. Parents even stop interacting with other relatives and neighbors. Because they have the fear that their child will not be accepted in the social context.
Lack of understanding of Autism disorder
It is not just social stigma, it is also less understanding of the disorder and its implications of this disorder. Parents do not understand the abnormal behavior of their children. So, it is quite significant to know about these topics.
Hope, that their child will be alright
Some parents even after understanding the characteristics of the autistic child, still stay in denial. They still stay in that impossible hope that their kids will get better without any treatment. They chose not to categorize their kids under a mental abnormality.
Few characteristics of an autistic child:
- Difficulty in maintaining eye contact
- Trouble in having a conversion or interacting with others
- Late development of speech
- Repeated actions and speech
- Difficulty in understanding other’s feelings and expressing their own feelings
Early diagnosis and treatment can effectively reduce the symptoms, and can help the child better. So, be mindful when you come across these characteristics
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