Deciding to communicate your child's autism diagnosis with them is a very personal decision. Research shows that when teens talk about their autism diagnosis, they feel empowered, have a more positive self-image and self-esteem, and feel seen and understood. Telling your child about their autism diagnosis can provide them access to a host of social supports and a community of other autistic people. Many people share that being told about their diagnosis was an opportunity to understand themselves in a deeper way and to put some of the pieces together, understanding who they are and what makes them tick.

When you decide that you are ready, there are a few things you might want to consider. Where are you in your journey with processing your child's diagnosis? If you don't feel ready to share the diagnosis without sadness, grief, or judgment, it might not be the right time. When you are ready, be prepared with community groups, online resources or forums, or even a personal connection that you can give to your child to explore further. The earlier we can have these conversations, the more likely the child is to feel seen, understood, and able to advocate for themselves to get supports and services that can be helpful.

 Depending on when your child is diagnosed, it will impact when you decide to have the conversation. This is certainly influenced by the child's developmental level, and some children with autism may have difficulty processing what autism means as a family. It is important to decide how you will communicate your child's autism to them and to the people around them. This will likely be influenced by the family's understanding of the diagnosis and where everyone is in their journey. If your child is 12 or 13 and you feel they have the ability to process what it means to have autism, have that conversation with them before their siblings. If your child has limited communication skills or is still at an early stage of development where they may not fully understand, have this conversation with their siblings prior to themselves. Some families find it helpful to connect with a trusted professional or support group in the community. Other parents who have been in a similar situation can share what went well and what they might have learned or done differently.

The conversation with your child about autism will be ongoing, and we recommend weaving it into everyday life. Articulate in a safe, open, and honest way how autism positively impacts your child and family, while acknowledging that it can make things challenging at times. This helps avoid your child feeling shame or embarrassment about their diagnosis.

 The incidence of autism is increasing, and we all know someone with autism or have autism ourselves. Despite this, there is still stigma around sharing the autism diagnosis. We hope that this will continue to improve as we talk more openly about autism in our community and with each other, moving towards more openness, acceptance, and understanding.

 Tips for Communicating Their Autism Diagnosis To Your Child

Empowerment and Positive Self-Image: Sharing the diagnosis can help teens feel empowered, improve their self-esteem, and provide them with a sense of understanding and community.

 Readiness: Ensure you are ready to share the diagnosis without sadness, grief, or judgment. Prepare with community groups, online resources, or personal connections for your child to explore further.

 Developmental Level: Consider your child's developmental level when deciding to have the conversation. Tailor the discussion based on their ability to process the information.

 Ongoing Conversation: Make the conversation about autism an ongoing part of everyday life. Highlight both the positive impacts and the challenges in a safe, open, and honest way.

 Reducing Stigma: Talk openly about autism to reduce stigma and promote acceptance and understanding within the community.