7 Monumental Fears and Frustrations of Autism Parents

When my son, Norrin, was first diagnosed with autism, I cried every night for weeks. My body curled in the fetal position, trembling, with my husband beside me, trying his best to offer consolation, even though he was scared too. I accepted autism a long time ago, but acceptance doesn't have an ending point. It's an ongoing road. And that road stretches far beyond the horizon. People ask if I hope there'll be a cure for autism. Even with all my worries and fears, I can honestly say that I don't care about a cure. I just care about Norrin. Having a kid with autism doesn't mean that I've given up on hoping for my son. Ironically, all of my hopes seem to have been born from all of my fears. I'm not writing this for sympathy -- autism parents don't want anyone to pity us or our children. I'm sharing because I'm hoping that our honesty will help others understand. I hope the more people understand, the more our worries and fears can be alleviated. -By Lisa Quinones-Fontanez

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