Receiving a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for a child can be emotionally and practically challenging at times for parents or guardians, as well as for extended friends and family. A parent or guardian might have great concerns for potential mistreatment or maladjustment of their child or fear that their child might not be able to make emotional connections with others and become isolated. Once a child has received an ASD diagnosis, it is important that parents or guardians are proactive in conducting research and finding therapy options. The earlier in a child’s life that therapy is started, the better their chances of success. It is best to start by finding a local practitioner or service provider for a family to partner with to support their child’s journey. It is also of vital importance that caregivers have support networks in place to help them manage their own journeys while raising and supporting a child with ASD. Families living in Albuquerque, for example, can look for autism therapy New Mexico for their child or autism family therapy in New Mexico for comprehensive options for the family.
Family support for guardians:
Family support is essential for families raising children with ASD. Having a close support network that understands the possible difficulties of raising a child with ASD is important so that the family can provide the best support to their child and ensure a consistently nurturing environment for the child. This is especially true in cases where a family has more than one child and needs to be able to support all of their children. Support can come in various forms from family members:
Emotional support:
Being able to rely on family members for emotional support is very important for families who are raising children with ASD. Having people who can understand specific challenges or who can provide a safe environment for open dialogue can provide significant emotional relief for families.
Practical support:
Family members can offer practical support. This may include helping with daily tasks like cooking meals, child care, and transport to school or doctor’s appointments. This can help relieve some of the pressure on family members so that they can focus on ensuring that all of their child’s (or children’s) needs are met.
Shared learning:
Having additional people to learn about ASD and associated challenges and best practices for care and therapy provides an important level of support for families. This can also strengthen the understanding of the child’s behavior and needs. A shared understanding of ASD and its implications, as they are particular to the child, makes for a more nurturing and positive home environment for the child.
Engaging extended family and friends:
Family members and friends play a vital supporting for families who are raising a child with ASD. Many friends or family members might want to play supportive roles for their loved ones raising a child with ASD but could be unsure of how to do so. Below are some ways that families can involve their support network in their child’s life:
Educate:
People who have never known someone with ASD might not have in-depth knowledge about the condition, which could mean that they do not feel comfortable offering support as they are unsure how to, or they may be unaware of specific needs and behaviors and how to respond to them. Sharing insights about the condition in general and as it affects a child specifically is important for family and friends to be able to provide support. Members of a community in Albuquerque might even choose to attend a session of autism therapy in New Mexico or investigate autism family therapy New Mexico.
Communicate:
It is essential that families raising a child with ASD communicate their child’s specific sensitivities and needs to their close community. It is also very important to ensure that the child has a broad support network that understands their needs and behaviors and can respond with the correct kind of support in stressful situations. When everyone is aware of these elements and feels comfortable in their ability to provide support, it becomes less stressful for the parents when the child is in a setting that involves other people.