Grandson has been diagnosed with Autism

[Grazing90]

Hello everyone,

My 9 year old grandson is currently going through the process of being diagnosed with severe autism, and as a family we're trying to learn as much as we can and find ways to support him as best we can. I'd appreciate hearing from parents, grandparents, carers, or anyone who has been through something similar. What things have helped your child cope with day to day life?

Some things I'd like to hear about are:

- Sensory toys or items that worked well
- Calming strategies during meltdowns or periods of overwhelm
- Communication tools or techniques
- School support and what helped most
- Managing changes in routine
- Anything you wish you'd known when your child was first diagnosed

I understand that every child is different, but hearing real experiences from people who have been there would mean a lot to me.

Thank you in advance for any advice, suggestions, or stories you'd be willing to share. We're all trying to do the best we can for him and learn as we go.

Kind regards.