Summer has a way of sounding magical in theory. Longer days. Fewer school demands. Pool bags by the door. Popsicles. Road trips. Museum days. Lazy mornings. Maybe even the dream of your child peacefully entertaining themselves for more than seven minutes.
Each May, conversations around children’s mental health get the attention they deserve through Children’s Mental Health Awareness efforts, including Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week. It is an important reminder that mental health is not a side issue in childhood or adolescence. It is a central part of a child’s well-being, development, relationships, and daily life.
Many parents remember the day their child was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and they don’t remember it fondly. Autism can come with many challenges, and these parents are usually far too aware of what those challenges are for their child. Sometimes we can spend too much time focusing on what is different and challenging about a child with autism instead of focusing on why those things can actually make for an amazing human being.