Living with someone who has an autism spectrum disorder or ASD is completely challenging. You have to understand that marriage is going to be difficult to handle. Notwithstanding this difficulty, it is still possible to live a happy life. There will be problems and struggles along the way, but as long as you keep your vow to stay for the rest of your life with your autistic husband, then everything will become more comfortable as days go by. The trials will be apparent during the first few months of the marital union. However, the longer you stay in the relationship, the more you will realize that your partner’s mental condition does not get in the way of your marriage.
Here is a list of the tips that you can do if your partner has ASD.
Understand The Situation
The first thing that you need to look into and understand is that your partner has no control in the way he talks or acts. Keep in mind that a person diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder encounters a tough time connecting with other people. Because of this, he has a high tendency to act differently especially on social occasions. Instead of rejecting him, the right way to do is to become more understanding of the situation. Try to place yourself in his shoes so that you could imagine what it is like to have ASD. “Autism tends to shine a bright light on whatever issues were already there.” Janeen Herskovitz, MA, LMHC used to say.
Think Of Your Kids
There are many times when you could want to give up, most importantly if your husband has a severe case of ASD. Take note that divorce may be an option, but it does not mean that you have to choose it. Remember that you vowed to spend the rest of your life with the other spouse. No one forced you to enter into a marriage. It was out of your own volition, which is why you have to always think of saving the marriage first. To make things easier for you, remember the kids in your family. Do not deprive your children of the chance to have a complete family. Jo White, a therapist once stated that “From my perspective, it’s one of the hardest things to deal with because, particularly if they’ve got young children — they’re struggling, they’re really struggling with behaviours.”
Try Couple Counseling
When your husband has ASD, it is expected that you will have endless arguments and misunderstandings along the way. Fortunately, these can still be solved through relationship counseling or couple therapy. All you have to do is to find a professional who could help you and your partner process the situation. The assistance of a good therapist or counselor is essential so that both of you could establish a more intimate connection despite the presence of ASD. Aside from this, the professional could also assist in allowing the husband and wife to move forward after finding out about the mental condition in one of them. “Counseling to monitor and encourage that process can be valuable to those who truly want to repair and recommit to each other. A key element in this process is transparency or an open and honest approach to communicating everything that the person who cheated does from now to his or her partner.” Dave Stacho LMHC explains.
Autism spectrum disorder has several symptoms that you need to familiar with. Be sure to educate yourself on these essential matters. Remember that just because one has ASD does not necessarily follow that he becomes automatically incapable of fulfilling the essential obligations in marriage. Give your husband a chance to show to you that his autism spectrum disorder cannot and will not give rise to the end of the marital union.