On April 2nd there is a lot of talk about autism. This year, “on the day of solidarity with autism” (source: 66.ru), the main buildings of our city will be illuminated in blue. There are events, conferences... Everyone talks about autism, its causes, methods of correction, approaches, specialists, methods. And no one talks about the mothers of these children. Dear mothers! I am proud to meet you, proud of the changes that are taking place in your families, with you and your beautiful, unusual children. You are confident in success and do not give up, even when it is difficult for you. You are determined to fight for your child. You are persistent in defending his rights. You become sensitive and gentle when your child needs support. You are tactful and delicate when you need to let go of a child. You have the strength to maintain boundaries. Sometimes I see how hard it is for you. It's hard because you're tired. It’s hard because sometimes success is so small that it’s almost invisible. It’s hard for me because I often speak in professional terms. It’s hard with yourself: you come into unusual motherhood with all your experiences, sometimes positive and nourishing, sometimes not. In a short time, you do a lot of internal work with yourself, rebuilding yourself, negotiating with yourself, learning new things. Sometimes it seems to me that no amount of psychotherapy can bring such changes. I keep in mind all the time that my client is a child, not you. But it is so important for me to support you. I need you, I need your help, your participation. I need you in therapy for your child in a resourceful state, in the “correct” state. This is how your child needs you. And I care about you. Sometimes feeding you, sometimes invading your experience. I am eternally grateful to you for the trust you place in me. You trust when you bring your baby. You trust when you talk about feeling shame in front of other people, when you talk about guilt in front of your child. You trust when you talk about fatigue and hatred of the situation. I support you as best I can and at the same time rely on you, on your faith in success and desire for it. With you, I rejoice at the first changes in the child, his first glances, smiles, words, games, dances, drawings... Air travelers receive safety instructions before each flight. It contains the phrase: “If you are traveling with a child, put the mask on yourself first, then on the child.” This sequence is important, because if in the process of putting the mask on the child, the adult does not have enough air, then take care of the baby there will be no one. Put the mask on yourself first. Take care of yourself, take care of yourself! Both you and your baby will succeed in the best possible way! And the day of April 2 will become a memory of your victory! Irina KustovaPsychologist - dance therapist