As you heal autism and see positive changes in your child, you might be scared that what you healed will return.
You might fear a regression.
You might start obsessing over a potential regression. The best way to stop the fear of regression is before it starts. Easily said, I know, but it takes practice learning how to do this.
What You Might Be Thinking As Your Child Heals
‘’Wow, this is going good. I can’t believe it. I don’t want this to stop. But with my luck, it probably will. This is too good to be true. It can’t all go this smoothly. When are the problems going to come up?’’
BAM, that’s usually when fear sets in, and you just start obsessing over a potential regression, which is not there, but you’re anticipating it.
How Can You Think Differently?
What could you think instead? You might be tempted to be overly positive. Here’s the thought, ‘’Others heal autism easily, and so can I.’’ But you don’t believe that.
So, you will actually increase your fear and obsession with a regression, if you start trying to think too positive too quickly. Here’s a softer approach, how about thinking something like this,
‘’I’ve done some amazing things in my life. I have improved many situations in my life. There are many things that I’ve wanted, that I didn’t have, that eventually, I got.’’
Maybe because you wanted your child to heal so much that you’ve been focused on it too much. Have you been obsessing? Obsessing makes you see only what hasn’t happened yet. Maybe it’s time for you to focus on something else, something fun.
Take a small break, whenever you can. This break will actually help you heal autism. It’s not a break from healing autism, just a break from that obsession.
When fear comes back, and when you start obsessing, that things might go wrong, just simply say, ‘’That’s not what I want.’’ Acknowledge those thoughts, and then try and think soft and gentle thoughts that are closer to what you want.
You can say something like, ‘’Thank you fear. You’re reminding me of my deep desire for my child.’’ Don’t try and hate your fear. Don’t try and be critical of your fear.
Here are some alternative thoughts to think instead:
- It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out. (I love that one.)
- I really have been making more of this than it deserves.
- Nothing has gone wrong here.
- Things could be a lot worse.
- It’s pretty funny how much I can wind myself up.
- Everyone has good days and bad days.
- It feels good to get my perspective back. It does, doesn’t it?
It will take time for this process to feel natural. You might have to listen to this video again and again and again. You’re actually reforming how you think. It’s like strengthening any muscle. It takes time and repetition. But in healing autism, you want your thoughts to be the same as your goals.
