As the weather gets warmer, more park visits and outdoor activities are expected. But for parents of neuro-divergent children, this outdoor migration brings a whole new slew of challenges. What is important to know about neuro-divergent children is that they are diverse, hence the name. While most parents struggle with parenting in public (think meltdowns in the middle of the grocery store), parents of children with ASD have the additional challenge that while their child may often look to the outside observer as neuro-typical, they, in fact, are not. These children look and act “regular,” until they simply cannot do so.
根据 残疾人世界据统计，约有 10% 的人口患有某种隐形残疾。春天的社会性更强，这意味着会有更多的人看到你的孩子，对你的孩子做出反应，不幸的是，还会对你的孩子做出评判。对于隐性自闭症儿童的父母来说，这可能会导致他们在公共场合过度管教自己的孩子。然而，对于这些孩子来说，他们的行为并不是管教的问题，而是由于他们的神经系统现实，他们如何应对和处理这个世界的问题。
For an ASD child, an outing can provide many challenges. They may have sensory processing disorders, anxiety, and sensitivity to bright lights or loud noises, all of which will affect the child’s behavior. In addition, children with ASD are more prone to tantrums and generally have longer-lasting meltdowns than their neuro-typical peers. In addition, neuro-divergent individuals can be less mature than neuro-typical children. Therefore, behavior that may be inappropriate for a neuro-typical child at a certain age can be entirely acceptable for the same-age child with ASD.
最近，许多 ASD 儿童的家长在乘坐飞机时因公共交通的口罩规定而遇到了一些问题，这使得人们对这些隐性残疾的认识不足变得越来越明显。虽然患有 ASD 的儿童在没有明显残疾的情况下通常可以免于佩戴口罩，但许多家长却因为没有让孩子佩戴口罩而遭到训斥，而这对于患有 ASD 的儿童来说是极具挑战性的。
那么，当那些愤怒的目光和谴责的窃窃私语（或直接不请自来的粗鲁建议）投向自己时，有隐性诊断的孩子的家长该怎么办？
#1- Be upfront about your child’s diagnosis
Unfortunately, the stigma still associated with an ASD diagnosis causes many parents not to inform others of their child’s diagnosis. However, keeping a child’s diagnosis secret does a disservice to both you and your child. When you are comfortable with your child’s reality, you can give them the tools to truly thrive and grow. Informing friends and family (and sometimes judgmental strangers) of your child’s diagnosis can allow them to handle the situation with your child correctly.
当有人认为您的孩子在环境、年龄或同龄人中行为不端时，请冷静地解释您的孩子患有自闭症。解释您的孩子外表可能与他们的孩子相似。但是，他们的诊断并不允许他们以同样的方式与世界互动。
#2 – Realize that their reaction is out of ignorance, not malice
Most people are not mean; they are simply uneducated about ASD and all the various forms it can take. Realizing this allows you to handle the situation without embarrassment or anger. Your child has ASD, and this is not something to be embarrassed about. ASD and the behaviors associated with it are not in any way a reflection of your parenting skills. Meltdowns or other behavioral issues can be unpredictable and out of your control, but educating the unknowing bystander(s) about your child’s condition is. Which brings us to our next point…
#3 – Use the opportunity to educate
In explaining your child’s diagnosis, you have hopefully created one less uneducated and intolerant person in this world. They, in turn, may find themselves witnessing another child’s meltdown or tantrum and can react emphatically, offer to help the parent involved, and even educate others on the proper way to respond to a child who might have a hidden diagnosis.
With the knowledge gleaned from raising your child with ASD, you are these individuals’ best resource to learn more about ASD. Therefore, do not take offense at their questions (no matter how insensitive they may seem), but instead view these questions as an opportunity to teach them how to react and interact with ASD individuals.
If you’re overly ambitious, you can create business cards with some links to resources that these confused bystanders can visit to find out more information about ASD.
#4 采取小步骤
The best way to avoid these meltdowns in the first place is to work on desensitizing your child to any sensory overload or other triggers that may cause them. Start off by showing them pictures of the playground or park you’re going to. Follow that by showing them the park by driving by it so that they can experience it with the safety of the car window, separating them from any overwhelming experience.
一旦您觉得孩子准备好了，就提前做好计划。让他们知道他们将在这个特定的时间去公园，并明确说明他们将在例行公事的哪个部分之后去，这样他们就能准确地知道你什么时候会去。
Try to go at times when the park isn’t too packed, and start off staying in the park for short periods of time, gradually adding more time to the length you stay. You can also bring along your child’s favorite comfort object or toy while he is at the park.
Recognize your child’s sensory areas and avoid those areas on the playground.
#5 – Remember you’re doing the best you can
Inevitably, your child will have a meltdown. Which child doesn’t? And inevitably, there will be someone who will be judgmental or respond negatively. Isn’t there always? Never let someone else’s perception of you or your child affect how you perceive yourself or your child. Focus on your child’s progress rather than their setbacks, and acknowledge that you are doing the best you can for your special child and the rest of your family. Be proud of your wonderful child and the amazing job you are doing raising them, and you will persevere even in the face of unwarranted criticism.
因此，请走出家门，享受美丽的春天，不要让患有自闭症的孩子阻止你与整个世界的交流。
