Parenting Your Autistic Child
Parenting your autistic child presents many unique challenges. Of course, you want to do what is best for your child, but you also have to consider the needs of your family: your other children, your partner and extended family, not to mention taking care of yourself. At the same time, you may be bombarded with information on treatment and intervention options, and a multitude of “cures” that may or may not work, draining your time, your energy and your bank account. As the parent of an autistic child, it is not unusual for you to feel lonely, isolated, overwhelmed, and guilty.
Parenting Your Autistic Child
Parenting your autistic child presents many unique challenges. Of course, you want to do what is best for your child, but you also have to consider the needs of your family: your other children, your partner and extended family, not to mention taking care of yourself. At the same time, you may be bombarded with information on treatment and intervention options, and a multitude of “cures” that may or may not work, draining your time, your energy and your bank account. As the parent of an autistic child, it is not unusual for you to feel lonely, isolated, overwhelmed, and guilty.
Parenting Your Autistic Child
Parenting your autisic child presents many unique challenges. Of course, you want to do what is best for your child, but you also have to consider the needs of your family: your other children, your partner and extended family, not to mention taking care of yourself. At the same time, you may be bombarded with information on treatment and intervention options, and a multitude of “cures” that may or may not work, draining your time, your energy and your bank account. As the parent of an autistic child, it is not unusual for you to feel lonely, isolated, overwhelmed, and guilty.
The Challenges of Parenting Your Autistic Child
When your family is impacted by autism, emotional highs and lows can be an everyday occurrence that leaves you exhausted.
You are not alone
• Mothers of autistic children are more likely to report fair or poor mental health, as well as higher levels of stress, depression and anxiety than mothers in the general population. [1]
• Like mothers of autistic children, fathers experience higher stress and that stress remains constant even as their children age. [2]
• Families of autistic children frequently report a lower family quality of life. [3]
• Parents of autistic child may report feeling that they are cut off from others, as well as continually mentally and physically exhausted with no one to turn to. [4]
• It is not unusual for both parents to report a sense of grief over the loss of the life you had previously dreamed of for your child and yourselves. [4]
While the specific challenges vary from one autistic child to another, you may be having to:
• Handle problematic behaviors, which can range from refusing to listen to physical aggression and tantrums
• Manage your child’s repetitive and/or compulsive behaviors
• Teach your child appropriate social skills and how to understand and respond to social cues
• Monitor and advocate for your child’s school program, and work with a variety of professionals and therapies
• Manage sleep issues and problems with self care
• Try to get your child to eat more than a few unhealthy foods
• Watch your child at all times to keep him/her safe
• Limit where you take your child due to their behaviors and safety concerns
The Challenges of Parenting Your Autistic Child
When your family is impacted by autism, emotional highs and lows can be an everyday occurrence that leaves you exhausted.
You are not alone
• Mothers of autistic children are more likely to report fair or poor mental health, as well as higher levels of stress, depression and anxiety than mothers in the general population. [1]
• Like mothers of autistic children, fathers experience higher stress and that stress remains constant even as their children age. [2]
• Families of autistic children frequently report a lower family quality of life. [3]
• Parents of autistic children may report feeling that they are cut off from others, as well as continually mentally and physically exhausted with no one to turn to. [4]
• It is not unusual for both parents to report a sense of grief over the loss of the life you had previously dreamed of for your child and yourselves. [4].
While the specific challenges vary from one child with autism to another, you may be having to:
• Handle problematic behaviors, which can range from refusing to listen to physical aggression and tantrums
• Manage your child’s repetitive and/or compulsive behaviors
• Teach your child appropriate social skills and how to understand and respond to social cues
• Monitor and advocate for your child’s school program, and work with a variety of professionals and therapies
• Manage sleep issues and problems with self care
• Try to get your child to eat more than a few unhealthy foods
• Watch your child at all times to keep him/her safe
• Limit where you take your child due to their behaviors and safety concerns
The Challenges of Parenting Your Autistic Child
When your family is impacted by autism, emotional highs and lows can be an everyday occurrence that leaves you exhausted.
You are not alone
• Mothers of autistic children are more likely to report fair or poor mental health, as well as higher levels of stress, depression and anxiety than mothers in the general population. [1]
• Like mothers of autistic children, fathers experience higher stress and that stress remains constant even as their children age. [2]
• Families of autistic children frequently report a lower family quality of life. [3]
• Parents of autistic children may report feeling that they are cut off from others, as well as continually mentally and physically exhausted with no one to turn to. [4]
• It is not unusual for both parents to report a sense of grief over the loss of the life you had previously dreamed of for your child and yourselves. [4]
While the specific challenges vary from one autistic child to another, you may be having to:
• Handle problematic behaviors, which can range from refusing to listen to physical aggression and tantrums
• Manage your child’s repetitive and/or compulsive behaviors
• Teach your child appropriate social skills and how to understand and respond to social cues
• Monitor and advocate for your child’s school program, and work with a variety of professionals and therapies
• Manage sleep issues and problems with self care
• Try to get your child to eat more than a few unhealthy foods
• Watch your child at all times to keep him/her safe
• Limit where you take your child due to their behaviors and safety concerns
The Help You Need
If you are struggling with the challenges of raising your autistic child, help is available for you. And help is available for your child, who may be struggling to navigate a world they perceive as confusing and over-stimulating. We are committed to helping you:
• Address, manage, and decrease or stop problematic behaviors
• Overcome the emotional difficulties you and your child may be experiencing
• Understand what to prioritize in regards to both your life and your child’s life
• Learn how to effectively deal with stressors
• Teach your child to maximize their potential and thrive in life
• Address your unique needs and concerns, as well as that of your spouse/ partner, other children, and extended members of the family
Parenting your autistic child can be extremely challenging, but it can also be so very rewarding. I’m here to help you down a path so that you, your child, and family can thrive. Contact us for help and support.
For more information and resources related to the autism spectrum, go to our resources page.
[1] bit.ly/2Tuovrf
[2] autismkey.com/fathers-hard-hit-by-autism/
[3] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4167350/
[4] autism-help.org/family-feelings-parents-autism.htm
The Help You Need
If you are struggling with the challenges of raising your autistic child, help is available for you. And help is available for your child, who may be struggling to navigate a world they perceive as confusing and over-stimulating. We are committed to helping you:
• Address, manage, and decrease or stop problematic behaviors
• Overcome the emotional difficulties you and your child may be experiencing
• Understand what to prioritize in regards to both your life and your child’s life
• Learn how to effectively deal with stressors
• Teach your child to maximize their potential and thrive in life
• Address your unique needs and concerns, as well as that of your spouse/ partner, other children, and extended members of the family
Parenting your autistic child can be extremely challenging, but it can also be so very rewarding. I’m here to help you down a path so that you, your child, and family can thrive. Contact us for help and support.
For more information and resources related to the autism spectrum, go to our resources page.
[1] bit.ly/2Tuovrf
[2] autismkey.com/fathers-hard-hit-by-autism/
[3] ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4167350/
[4] autism-help.org/family-feelings-parents-autism.htm
The Help You Need
If you are struggling with the challenges of raising your autistic child, help is available for you. And help is available for your child, who may be struggling to navigate a world they perceive as confusing and over-stimulating. We are committed to helping you:
• Address, manage, and decrease or stop problematic behaviors
• Overcome the emotional difficulties you and your child may be experiencing
• Understand what to prioritize in regards to both your life and your child’s life
• Learn how to effectively deal with stressors
• Teach your child to maximize their potential and thrive in life
• Address your unique needs and concerns, as well as that of your spouse/ partner, other children, and extended members of the family
Parenting your autistic child can be extremely challenging, but it can also be so very rewarding. I’m here to help you down a path so that you, your child, and family can thrive. Contact us for help and support.
For more information and resources related to the autism spectrum, go to our resources page.
