[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="no" hundred_percent_height="no" hundred_percent_height_scroll="no" hundred_percent_height_center_content="yes" equal_height_columns="no" menu_anchor="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="center center" background_repeat="no-repeat" fade="no" background_parallax="none" enable_mobile="no" parallax_speed="0.3" video_mp4="" video_webm="" video_ogv="" video_url="" video_aspect_ratio="16:9" video_loop="yes" video_mute="yes" video_preview_image="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" margin_top="" margin_bottom="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left=""][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="3_4" layout="3_4" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" dimension_margin="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_text] As autistic children grow, so does the social gap. As an autism mom, I would often hear fellow autism parents say “the gap is widening,” when they would compare their children to neurotypical kids. To be honest, I didn’t quite understand and it wasn’t overly significant to me. I was preoccupied with getting my son to speak and acquire language, this so-called gap was meaningless to me. My view on this phrase has shifted significantly. My son is six years old and he has very little interest in social interactions with other children his age. This is something we work on with him on an ongoing basis; at school with his peers, during his extra curricular activities and at home with his cousins, as he is an only child. I have two nephews, one is five and the other is three. They are typically developing children and when we’re around them I see the gap, and it’s widening by the day. While children my sons age are into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Batman, my son is happy playing with a sudsy bucket of water and cups. While children my sons age are able to share aspects of their day with their parents, my son won’t share a thing and when asked he’ll say “don’t ask me questions.” Do I love my son? You bet. Do I think he’s less than my nephew’s or any other typically developing child? Nope, not a chance. Do I wish he would take interest in other children, play with them and have meaningful friendships? Yes, more than anything in the world. Social skills for autistic children are more elusive and the gap widens with each passing year. Many times, therapies such as ABA emphasize their focus on academics and social skills are left by the wayside. Children with autism have to be taught how to have a conversation. Virtually nothing in the social arena comes naturally to those with autism. They have to be taught how to show interest in others by asking questions, not to talk too loudly or to stand too close to the other person. As parents, what can we do to help our kids close the gap? I don't have an answer. Each individual with autism is so different and unique, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to this problem. We must nurture our children, continue to push them in the right direction, have them try new experiences, and most importantly, never give up hope. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type="1_4" layout="1_4" spacing="" center_content="no" link="" target="_self" min_height="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" background_color="" background_image="" background_position="left top" background_repeat="no-repeat" hover_type="none" border_size="0" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" dimension_margin="" animation_type="" animation_direction="left" animation_speed="0.3" animation_offset="" last="no"][fusion_widget_area name="avada-custom-sidebar-stephaniesidebar" title_size="" title_color="" background_color="" padding_top="" padding_right="" padding_bottom="" padding_left="" hide_on_mobile="small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility" class="" id="" /][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Stephanie, Author at Autism Journey

10 Tips for New Autism Parents
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10 Tips for New Autism Parents

By Stephanie|2019-04-30T10:03:58-04:00April 30th, 2019|Categories: Parenting|Tags: Advocate, instincts, parents, school|

If you’ve recently learned that your child has an autism spectrum disorder, you’re probably wondering and worrying about what comes next.

Autism Parents Reveal Their Greatest Fears
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Autism Parents Reveal Their Greatest Fears

By Stephanie|2019-04-28T12:04:38-04:00April 24th, 2019|Categories: Parenting|Tags: adulthood, autism parents, emergency, fears, puberty, self-advocacy|

Autism reveal their greatest fears about parenting a child with special needs.

Great Children’s Books About Autism
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Great Children’s Books About Autism

By Stephanie|2019-02-12T12:41:09-05:00February 12th, 2019|Categories: Books, Kids|Tags: all my stripes, autism awareness, books, david's world, female autism, I See Things Differently, my brother, tilly|

A list of great children's books about autism for siblings, peers, and kids on the autism spectrum.

Mistakes I’ve Made as an Autism Mom
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Mistakes I’ve Made as an Autism Mom

By Stephanie|2019-01-23T10:07:36-05:00December 14th, 2018|Categories: Parenting|Tags: autism mom, mistakes, parenting|

No parent is perfect. Making mistakes is part of being a mom or a dad.

Gift Ideas and Stocking Stuffers for Children with Autism
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Gift Ideas and Stocking Stuffers for Children with Autism

By Stephanie|2019-01-23T10:08:25-05:00December 2nd, 2018|Categories: Kids|Tags: christmas, gift ideas, sensory, sensory processing, stocking stuffers|

Here are some great gift ideas for children with autism spectrum disorder.

Pet Peeves of An Autism Mom
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Pet Peeves of An Autism Mom

By Stephanie|2019-04-01T13:42:07-04:00October 22nd, 2018|Categories: Featured, Parenting|Tags: annoying, autism mom, pet peeve|

As a mother to a child with autism, I've heard it all. In no particular order, these are some of my biggest pet peeves.

When the Gap Widens
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When the Gap Widens

By Stephanie|2019-03-29T16:35:49-04:00October 1st, 2018|Categories: Parenting|Tags: gap, gap widens, play, typical children|

As children with autism grow, so does the social gap.

I Was Dumped By An Autism Mom
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I Was Dumped By An Autism Mom

By Stephanie|2018-10-16T14:01:16-04:00January 30th, 2018|Categories: Parenting|Tags: autism mom, dumped, friendship|

Being dumped always hurts, but it stings even more when the dumper is someone you once considered to be a good friend.

Holiday Tips for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Holiday Tips for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder

By Stephanie|2019-03-29T16:40:22-04:00December 19th, 2017|Categories: Parenting|Tags: anxiety, holiday, sensory, stress|

The holiday season is a joyful time of year for most people. However, this can be a very challenging and hectic time for us as parents.

How Has Raising A Child With Autism Changed You?
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How Has Raising A Child With Autism Changed You?

By Stephanie|2018-10-16T14:03:53-04:00November 28th, 2017|Categories: Parenting|Tags: marriage, patience, raising a child with autism, understanding|

Parents share how raising a child with autism has changed their lives.

Stephanie

About Stephanie