The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

All parents experience daily obstacles, but parents of children with autism face extraordinary demands that can result in anxiety, depression, self-doubt and sadness. This session will highlight how parents of children with autism can significantly benefit from the guidance and comfort of therapeutic services that specifically support their unique experiences. As access to services geared toward establishing and building adaptive skills and communicative abilities for children with autism continues to grow (yet still remains drastically disproportionate to the overall need), the availability of therapeutic and supportive services aimed specifically at the immense mental health needs of parents of children with autism remains tragically limited and illusive. While all parents experience daily obstacles, parents of children with autism face extraordinary demands that can result in anxiety, depression, self-doubt and sadness. Unfortunately, despite the seemingly obvious need for supportive services, many parents of children with autism are either not provided, not aware of, or do not access resources geared toward helping them achieve a more balanced and healthier life. Although the availability of supportive resources remains deficient, parents of children with autism need and deserve support in not only helping their children and their family, but also in helping themselves to identify and cope with their own stressors.

This session will highlight how parents of children with autism can significantly benefit from the guidance, comfort, empathy and support of therapeutic services that specifically address their unique experiences. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the growing necessity for therapeutic and supportive services aimed at the parents, family members and practitioners influenced by an autism diagnosis, the unique experiences of parents of children with autism, and how these specific and specialized circumstances impact caregivers mental health and overall well-being, and about therapeutic and supportive strategies aimed specifically for parents and family members of individuals who have been diagnosed with autism, in order to promote self-care, and ultimately facilitate a more positive impact on the entire family.

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