143. Social Expectations vs Autism Reality
Society has certain expectations regarding social norms, which can be challenging for families like ours raising children on the spectrum. We live in a world that values conformity and often overlooks individual differences. Certain unwritten rules govern how we interact, communicate, and behave in society. For neurotypical children, these norms are often picked up naturally through observation and imitation. However, for children on the autism spectrum, the social world can be puzzling and overwhelming. Boundaries, as they relate to social norms, refer to the unspoken rules that dictate appropriate behavior in social interactions. In society, there are generally accepted norms for personal space, physical touch, sharing, and conversational topics, among other things. You don’t stand too close, you don’t pull a chin hair off a woman behind you in line, and you don’t touch people. There are specific topics you know when and where to and not to talk about. Our children on the autism spectrum usually have difficulties understanding and following these boundaries, which you guessed it, can lead to misunderstandings and sometimes negative perceptions from other people. Societal expectations for social norms can take a toll on families like ours, affecting us emotionally, mentally, and even physically. If you find yourself constantly striving to meet societal norms it can leave you feeling overwhelmed and anxious, worried that your child may be excluded or judged for their differences. You might feel isolated, both from mainstream social circles and even within the autism community, if your child's challenges are different than others. So while the negative impacts of social expectations can be significant, you can shift your perspective, advocate for awareness and pave the way for a more inclusive and understanding world. It's essential for us to challenge these societal expectations and advocate for understanding and acceptance. I believe that together, we can build a more compassionate and inclusive society. As parents, we have the privilege and responsibility to shape the lives of our children. When you have an unwavering belief in their abilities, it can be a transformative force that opens doors, breaks barriers, and unlocks their fullest potential. If you want to learn strategies and tools that you can use to improve your life along this autism parenting journey, be sure to get over and get registered for our FREE Course, Unburdened; Finding Balance Living Alongside Autism www.notyouraverageautismmom.com/freecourse It is a self-paced video course that will help you reduce your stress and overwhelm and show up better every day. If you want to learn strategies and tools that you can use to improve your life along this autism parenting journey, becoming Not Your Average Autism Mom is your answer. We are the single best online resource for moms raising autistic children. Is the educational journey overwhelming and confusing for you? Our member portal has an array of training and resources with everything you need to know about Special Education and you can join LIVE ZOOM calls with an Advocate to get any of your specific questions answered. Maybe you are feeling alone on your journey or maybe you are looking for other moms to connect with in a PRIVATE community who understand your day-to-day challenges, be sure that you check out ALL THE BENEFITS available for you when you BECOME Not Your Average Autism Mom. www.notyouraverageautismmom.com Additional Resources: Episode 96. Our Parenting Journey is Different Episode 74. You Cannot Fix All the Things All the Time --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/shannon-urquiola/support