Stress And Parenting Your

Autistic / Neurodiverse Children

Parenting an autistic / neurodiverse child (or children) is often extremely demanding. There seems to be almost an endless number of stressors. Do you experience any of these?

•    You feel overwhelmed and stressed most of the time.
•    Just getting through normal daily activities with your child: dressing, bathing, tooth brushing, eating… is difficult and draining.
•   You’re overwhelmed with options for costly treatments.
•    You feel isolated and alone, and maybe guilty and inadequate.
•    You have high levels of anxiety, depression and/or have stress-related problems like headaches, stomach pains, sleeplessness, over or under eating, etc.
•    You often have feelings of grief because your child’s limitations.
•   Your child has been seen by many different professionals, telling you different things, and it’s hard to know who to listen to – you’re doubting your own judgment and gut instincts.
•   You’re angry and find yourself often yelling and losing your temper.
•   It seems like your child controls your household.
•    You feel criticized and judged when your child misbehaves.
•   Your marriage is strained because all the pressures.

Very stressed and upset mother of child with autism with her hands on the side of her head Parenting your autistic / neurodiverse child (or children) is often extremely demanding. There seems to be almost an endless number of stressors. Do you experience any of these?

•   You feel overwhelmed and stressed most of the time.
•    Just getting through normal daily activities with your child: dressing, bathing, tooth brushing, eating… is difficult and draining.
•   You’re overwhelmed with options for costly treatments.
•   You feel isolated and alone, and maybe guilty and inadequate.
•   You have high levels of anxiety, depression and/or have stress-related problems like headaches, stomach pains, sleeplessness, over or under eating, etc.
•   You often have feelings of grief because your child’s limitations.
•   Your child has been seen by many different professionals, telling you different things, and it’s hard to know who to listen to – you’re doubting your own judgment and gut instincts.
•   You’re angry and find yourself often yelling and losing your temper.
•   It seems like your child controls your household.
•   You feel criticized and judged when your child misbehaves.
•   Your marriage is strained because all the pressures.

Parenting your autistic / neurodiverse child (or children) is often extremely demanding. There seems to be almost an endless number of stressors. Do you experience any of these?

• You feel overwhelmed and stressed most of the time.
• Just getting through normal daily activities with your child: dressing, bathing, tooth brushing, eating… is difficult and draining.
• You’re overwhelmed with options for costly treatments.
• You feel isolated and alone, and maybe guilty and inadequate.
• You have high levels of anxiety, depression and/or have stress-related problems like headaches, stomach pains, sleeplessness, over or under eating, etc.
• You often have feelings of grief because your child’s limitations.
• Your child has been seen by many different professionals, telling you different things, and it’s hard to know who to listen to – you’re doubting your own judgment and gut instincts.
• You’re angry and find yourself often yelling and losing your temper.
• It seems like your child controls your household.
• You feel criticized and judged when your child misbehaves.
• Your marriage is strained because all the pressures.

Sad and pensive man looking down with his hand on his forehead

On top of all that, you may be overwhelmed with worry that:

•    Your child does not have friends.
•   Your child is not getting what she needs at school and is not progressing.
•    Your child is not safe.
•    Your child’s future may be unhappy – is he going to be able to take care of himself, will he have friends, can he have a job, a family…
•    Your other children aren’t getting the attention they need.

Whew – that’s a lot! Even if you only experience a few of these, it can weigh very heavily on you. One of the worst things you can do is to hold all these feelings inside and just keep going. Then you’re just barely getting by day-to-day as the stress mounts.

On top of all that, you may be overwhelmed with worry that:

Sad and pensive man looking down with his hand on his forehead

On top of all that, you may be overwhelmed with worry that:
• Your child does not have friends.
• Your child is not getting what she needs at school and is not progressing.
• Your child is not safe.
• Your child’s future may be unhappy – is he going to be able to take care of himself, will he have friends, can he have a job, a family…
• Your other children aren’t getting the attention they need.

Support and Solutions Are Available

- Some of the best things you can do are:

• Talk to others and share what is going on. Reach out to trusted friends and family.
• Participate in a support group and/or online forums with other parents.
• Get supportive counseling, coaching and/or mentoring.
• Take breaks and get outside help, such as baby sitting and housekeeping.
• Make time to nurture yourself – be in nature, meditate, read, take a bath, go to a restaurant or movie, etc. (I know this sounds impossible, but it’s so important for you to rest and recharge.) Visit verywellmind.com for some 5 minute strategies you can use right now to help de-stress your body and mind.
• Learn strategies to help your child with their behavior and emotional development, so you feel more confident that you are doing what is best for your children and family.

Husband and wife smiling and sitting on the floor, looking at a laptop during video consultation

Family - mother holding sons hand and father holding daughters hand, running and smiling

Help Is Available

We are here for you, and understand what you are going through. Together we can develop plans that reduce your stress. We’ll also come up with strategies to help and support your children, and the emotional needs of your whole family. We are committed to helping you and look forward to hearing from you. Contact us for a free 15-minute introductory phone call. Also, let us know if you’re interested in a support group with other parents of autistic / neurodiverse children.

Support and Solutions are Available

Husband and wife smiling and sitting on the floor, looking at a laptop during video consultation

- Some of the best things you can do are:

- • Talk to others and share what is going on. Reach out to trusted friends and family.
  • Participate in a support group and/or online forums with other parents.
  • Get supportive counseling, coaching and/or mentoring.
  • Take breaks and get outside help, such as baby sitting and housekeeping.
  • Make time to nurture yourself – be in nature, meditate, read, take a bath, go to a restaurant or movie, etc. (I know this sounds impossible, but it’s so important for you to rest and recharge.) Visit verywellmind.com for some 5 minute strategies you can use right now to help de-stress your body and mind.
  • Learn strategies to help your child with their behavior and emotional development, so you feel more confident that you are doing what is best for your children and family.

Family - mother holding sons hand and father holding daughters hand, running and smiling

Help Is Available

Some of the best things you can do are:
• Talk to others and share what is going on. Reach out to trusted friends and family.
• Participate in a support group and/or online forums with other parents.
• Get supportive counseling, coaching and/or mentoring.
• Take breaks and get outside help, such as baby sitting and housekeeping.
• Make time to nurture yourself – be in nature, meditate, read, take a bath, go to a restaurant or movie, etc. (I know this sounds impossible, but it’s so important for you to rest and recharge.) Visit verywellmind.com for some 5 minute strategies you can use right now to help de-stress your body and mind.
• Learn strategies to help your child with their behavior and emotional development, so you feel more confident that you are doing what is best for your children and family.