An autism diagnosis can definitely take a toll on a family and very well could be a contributing factor to divorce and on the other hand, some couples come together and grow stronger every day.

For parents like us, raising autistic children, our life can be pretty crazy and unpredictable. 

Having an autistic child does not mean that your marriage is going to fail.  I have worked with some families who felt like their bond became stronger as a couple because they were on the same page looking for answers to support their child so I believe that depending on the strength of the marriage before autism determines the outcome after the diagnosis.

Here is what we know… we know that living with an autistic person changes the entire family dynamic and it can place a huge strain on the parent's relationship. 

Communication is the key to keeping a relationship strong. You have to be willing to listen. You have to be open to hearing their opinions even when you don’t agree with them. You have to be willing to agree to disagree and then be willing to meet in the middle.  Learning to compromise and find a common ground will help maintain a strong relationship.

Every phase along this journey that your child and your family go through will be a new experience and there are many.  I think the bottom line is that an autism diagnosis doesn’t mean that a marriage or a relationship will fail, but it is important that you take the steps to alleviate the stress to allow for a better chance of succeeding and overcoming the obstacles along the way and most of all, make time for each other.

Additional Resources:

41. Emotional Ups and Downs of Raising a Child with Autism

60. The Most Important Relationship in your Autism Parenting Journey

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