Attention Parents of Kids with Autism: Take Care of Your Own Needs First

photo credit: www.autismspeaks.org
Attention Parents of Kids with Autism: Take Care of Your Own Needs First
photo credit: www.autismspeaks.org

Autism spectrum disorder (or ASD) refers to a set of related conditions that influence a child’s social collaboration, communication, and conduct. It causes children to experience the world in different ways. It often causes children to have sensory issues and at times behavioral issues as well.  Kids with autism can struggle with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.  Autism tends to emerge in early childhood and continues throughout life.

Research indicates that early diagnosis and intervention can make a significant difference   The earlier the diagnosis is made, the sooner the child can get help through different types of therapy.

Have you heard of the saying, “Put on your own oxygen mask before helping your children”?

Parents of kids with autism experience their own unique sets of challenges. Raising a child with autism can be demanding, especially when other people are not understanding of what they’re going through.  Parents often neglect their own needs, which ultimately effects their mental and physical health. They also face feelings of loss, frustration and anger. It is vital that parents take care of their own needs as well as those of their child.

Parents often worry about their child’s future and what it will look like.  And then they can feel completely overwhelmed, guilty, frustrated, or depressed.  The guilt can make parents feel like it’s their fault that their child is suffering.  And while negative emotions are expected, parents just need to keep things in perspective and stay away from self-blame.  It’s critical that parents are reminded that kids with autism can live a happy life.  It just might look a little different.

To learn more about how parents of kids with autism need to take care of themselves first, so they can be the parent their child needs, read the original article here:
Autism : Parents Face Challenges, Too

About SensoryEdge 174 Articles
Articles written by SensoryEdge are a combined effort of the SensoryEdge publishing staff. At SensoryEdge our focus is to educate, inform, and inspire each person caring for children to be and do their very best. It is not always easy and sometimes we don't take action (or we take the wrong action) because of a lack of understanding the real issues. We hope that the conversations that occur here will help in some small way better the lives of children, their families, and the professionals who work with them.