Parent Supports & Resources
Parents of children with ASD can experience high levels of stress1,2. In addition to constantly trying to manage and adapt to their child’s various needs at home, parents of children with autism are also often expected to navigate through multifaceted healthcare and education systems in order to access and maintain relevant supports and interventions for their child. Such ongoing demands can impact significantly on the parent’s quality of life and their psychological well-being, and can lead to a range of feelings and emotions. These include feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, inadequate, guilty, isolated and lonely, as well as feeling anxious and worried about their child’s future. All parents of children with ASD can experience such feelings and emotions, irrespective of their child’s age (young child, adolescent child, and/or adult child) or developmental level3 .
Therefore, it is very important for parents to take care of their own well-being while caring for their child with autism. Managing stress, allocating time for self-care, and seeking support when needed are critical for maintaining good physical and mental health. Parents should not hesitate to reach out to family, friends, or mental health professionals when feeling exhausted and overwhelmed.
Attending workshops or short courses can also be helpful for parents. There are various workshops and short courses run by qualified professionals that can enhance the parents’ knowledge and understanding of ASD, and provide them with the training needed to implement relevant interventions/supports at home (while ensuring that their child also continues to receive all appropriate professional services). These workshops/short courses can focus on various evidenced-based supports and interventions, including:
- Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA)
- Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Speech & Language Therapy (SLT)
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
Note that these type of short courses are not professional training courses, but are instead intended to provide the parent with practical skills which can be utlised in the home environment.
References
- Dijkstra-de Neijs, L., Boeke, D. B., van Berckelaer-Onnes, I. A., Swaab, H., & Ester, W. A. (2024). Parental stress and quality of life in parents of young children with autism. Child Psychiatry & Human Development. doi: 10.1007/s10578-024-01693-3
- Hayes, S. A. & Watson, S. L. (2013). The impact of parenting stress: A meta-analysis of studies comparing the experience of parenting stress in parents of children with and without autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 43(3),629-642. doi: 10.1007/s10803-012-1604-y
- Pastor-Cerezuela, G., Fernández-Andrés, M. I., Tárraga-Mínguez, R., & Navarro-Peña, J. M. (2016). Parental stress and ASD: Relationship with autism symptom severity, IQ, and resilience. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 31(4), 300-311. doi.org/10.1177/1088357615583471
