Parents of children with Autism usually report having high levels of anxiety, depression, and stress, thus it affects their physical, social, and psychological wellbeing. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that usually affects social interaction, social communication, verbal and nonverbal communication, restricted interest, and repetitive stereotypic behaviors. The parents of the children have a high risk of caregiver syndrome or caregiver stress a condition of exhaustion and anger that usually occurs due to the unrelieved caring for the ill dependent. It thus affects their quality of life. The main warning signs are lack of pleasure, feedback from family and friends, feedback from work, troubling feelings, relationship problems, trouble with sleeping, and weight or appetite changes. Most interventions and therapeutic approaches aimed at families focus on the direct needs and skills of the individual diagnosed. Family support is often provided through behavioral parent training techniques to assist parents in facilitating their child’s treatment. However, this may help to decrease overall parental stress.
Tips usually given to the parents generally include:
The parents may have stressful life but that doesn’t make you a bad parent it will always makes you a better human, make each movement a learning experience and do your best. Celebrate the victories of your child, whether it is a simple word usage, or eye contact from your child to celebrate their improvements. Educate yourself and you can’t learn everything but you can learn something. Often parents will not share their feelings with others do share with others and that can surely take away your stress. Don’t be afraid to take therapies there are several psychotherapies and even you should get a good therapist or a group who are experienced in autism who can support you and educate you. Research has shown that therapeutic support benefits parents’ well-being. Always remember” Don’t get hung up on comparisons with other children or parenting ‘advice’ which may not be right for your child and your family”.
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