Helping Your Autistic Child Thrive

[{"selector":"#anim-35dd5385-1f1f-4b4f-beeb-220fa2dfa413","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-befce403-22c5-4af8-b94c-0a51692b1de1","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -103.66191%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-39d1e51d-1329-4119-a743-31895547b68c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ba47057e-a921-45d6-8400-43846372772b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -103.66191%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":100,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fd1cc645-97b7-4356-b4fa-71f8915e13c5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-63b6aafc-1198-4687-98d4-296a5809fc2c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -103.66191%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Finding Cooper's Voice

Whether you suspect your child may have autism OR your child was recently diagnosed, you’re probably wondering and worrying about what comes next. Here are a few tips to help them thrive.

don't wait

[{"selector":"#anim-e5136ada-6e02-4e65-a1f4-b6a64fac145c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7be51b1e-6ce0-48e8-b66e-00ef74ef6c19","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":150,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Don’t wait for an official diagnosis. If you suspect a delay of any sort, be proactive. Talk to your child's doctor and school district. Ask for help.

learn about autism

The more you know about autism, the better equipped you’ll be to make informed decisions for your child. Educate yourself, ask questions, and participate in all decisions.

Be the expert in your child

Welcome to the world of advocacy. You are the expert in your child. You know them best mom and dad. And no one else will fight for them like you will.

believe in your child

[{"selector":"#anim-e69dcd5c-afd9-4f89-b159-a583b96c9252","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-85fa38e1-df42-41a0-8544-2c47de202f5f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -116.006%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f5c3ef74-b98f-4f46-ad45-d7496497ab2e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":150,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d425df7d-45c1-4e48-bf4e-373c6cd21345","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -116.006%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":150,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] When a child gets a diagnosis, often, things change. Expectations especially. Limits can be placed. Believe in your child. And believe some more.

don't give up on them

People with autism have an entire lifetime to grow and develop their abilities so don't give up on them if they miss milestones. They are lifelong learners.

keep your child safe; at home & in the community

Be there safe space so they can learn and grow at their own pace.

figure out how your child learns

And teach them in that way.

It's important to find HELP and SUPPORT.

Parenting isn’t ever easy and raising a child with special needs is even more challenging. There may be days when you feel overwhelmed, stressed, or discouraged. Find a support group of like-minded people who understand. Facebook Join Coop's Troops

A diagnosis of autism can feel life changing. And in many ways, it is. Give yourself time to settle into this new life. And give yourself grace as you do so. -Kate Swenson

Finding Cooper's Voice “

Top 8

[{"selector":"#anim-fd4ef4dc-89b2-4842-9fef-2e1da890bc90","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3b374e6c-8511-4a67-91c0-cfcfc4c94f9f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 2251.01057%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-65a81191-1890-4225-933c-a3a305554ad3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ef71e7d9-711e-47ee-826f-61aa1d29ea89","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 1969.19213%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e8ae99f-79c2-4b1a-964f-37fec26d7a9b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ea66ad4a-795a-4fa3-9119-08e57e12bb80","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 1128.28306%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e927546a-bc76-48b1-8956-1a21a960448c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-07c4bd0d-cc8c-446c-8b08-b4b34c385cbc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 1767.72394%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-77912a2c-6c94-4753-b5cc-afec3f83e584","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f32b7d34-b5c2-4008-b16c-a438e9939aa4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 1423.73766%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4a4af3a8-89c9-4abc-bc32-d7a7674333da","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-95f5b091-d2fa-40a0-8814-07dde3b8f589","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 878.28291%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c84565c9-89cc-45d3-b534-0bbc937ade4d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e4c17243-7040-4709-bd35-956ff6051bc9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ce7df1a6-3844-4282-b799-5d083568fef6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d571a4ac-2ec7-4e96-8b51-fbcfd736cb95","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6c53c0a2-b763-4579-a43b-6b4fb7e25da1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-74a8744e-4e66-4c31-8f12-087aa41bbc47","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d1f9b671-ccf8-4266-b335-b44df2997137","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-80f1722c-4e2d-49f8-90a1-9b8d4f51295d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A Love That People Dream Of A Colorful Christmas A Magical Life I'm Starting to Forget Some Days I Want More The Special Mother 1 2 3 4 5 6 articles on Finding Cooper's Voice