The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

This presentation will provide detailed information about “Reflecting on the Journey”, our weekend parent retreat which we have conducted for the past 20 years, for parents of children or family members with ASD. The retreat has been designed to provide a relaxing and supportive environment for parents to reflect on, explore, and share the rewards and challenges of raising a child with ASD. There are opportunities for relaxation, discussion, social support networking, making new friends and learning from other parents in a beautiful country setting. The format is that of a retreat, and is different from a conference or short support meetings. Feedback we have received from professionals and parents who have attended, or who know of the retreat indicate that this is a unique model, and possibly the only one of its kind nationally. For parents, the atmosphere is relaxed and casual, in stark contrast to the everyday stresses of raising a child with ASD, and formal educational conferences.

The retreat draws 60 parents annually. The agenda follows a specified, but flexible format offering 12-15 concurrent sessions of semi-structured, small discussion groups on issues related to challenges and joys of having an autistic family member. Examples of topics include the impact of autism on marriages, developing positive parent-professional relationships, creating balance in family life, taking care of yourself and more than 20 other topics that we alternate year-to-year. We also have fun, relaxing activities (i.e. hiking, canoeing, music, a bonfire) to create an atmosphere that allows for relaxation and reflection. Parents who have attended have children ranging in age from 2-3 years of age (recently diagnosed) to adulthood, and many “veteran” parents with adult children play an active role in facilitating discussion groups. (Elaine Hall, one of the parents who has attended the retreat is one of co-presenters of this session). Some parents return to the retreat for repeat visits, while others attend for fewer retreats or only once. Eighty percent of the actual costs of the retreat are subsidized for the majority of parents, while full scholarships are offered to parents with financial limitations. The “Reflecting on the Journey” Parent Retreat Model is a cost-effective model that has been demonstrated to mitigate the unique stressors associated with autism on marriages and family life, by equipping parents with the knowledge-base and coping strategies to deal with these stressors. It also provides parents to share the unique joys and opportunities for growth related to having autism in the family. Video and slide examples of activities will illustrate innovative and essential activities of the retreat.