💜 I Used To Think She Was Being Difficult…
💜 LESSON OF THE EVENING
I used to think Bella was being difficult.
If something didn’t happen the way she expected, frustration usually followed. For a long time, I thought she was refusing to cooperate.
Now I understand something different.
She wasn’t trying to make things hard.
She was following the routine that made sense to her.
When communication is limited, routines often become a way of understanding the world. Sometimes what looks like defiance is really uncertainty, confusion, or a need for predictability.
Things are understood differently now. 💜
Tomorrow’s lesson:
💜 Now I Understand She Was Communicating
Because communication doesn’t always begin with words.
#autismmom #autismawareness #autismacceptance #nonverbalautism #autismparent
When you have a child or loved one with autism, especially nonverbal autism, it often takes time to decode their behaviors and understand what they really mean. Like many, I used to interpret routine-based frustrations as defiance or being difficult. However, through experience, I learned that these routines serve as anchors of predictability and safety in a world that can otherwise feel overwhelming and confusing. Routine is not just habit for autistic individuals; it’s a critical coping mechanism that creates structure. When those routines are disrupted, it isn’t deliberate difficulty but anxiety or uncertainty expressing itself. For example, if a usual schedule changes, what may look like resistance is actually a call for understanding and reassurance. Recognizing this has helped me shift from frustration to empathy. Communication with nonverbal individuals doesn’t always involve words — it can be subtle and rooted in behaviors and preferences. Observing these cues closely and respecting the need for predictability fosters patience and connection. This insight has transformed how I engage with Bella and others, emphasizing listening with empathy rather than frustration. This perspective is vital for all autism parents and caregivers. Understanding that actions often communicate unmet needs or confusion rather than willful disobedience helps build better support systems. By sharing routines, using visual schedules, and creating calming environments, we can assist autistic individuals in navigating their experiences more comfortably. Ultimately, embracing that what may initially seem difficult behavior is actually a unique form of communication opens doors to deeper relationships and better care. Remember, it’s not about correcting or controlling but about understanding and supporting each individual's way of making sense of their world.
