Supporting or caring for an autistic person can be positive and rewarding. But there may also be times when you feel emotional and physical stress.
You are not alone if you feel stress. There are things you can do to support yourself and your family.
Learn more about autism
It might help you and your family to find out more about autism and how it affects your child. Local support groups can be helpful for parents of newly diagnosed children.
It's important to focus on your child's strengths and interests instead of their weaknesses. This helps autistic people feel good about themselves and find ways to grow and succeed.
Learn more about autism:
Things that can help you and your family
Do
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ask friends and family if they can help with day-to-day things or just be there to talk to
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talk to other parents of autistic children or autistic adults
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focus on your child's strengths and interests
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learn about autism from trusted, research based sources
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listen to other parents' stories – search online for blogs, videos and books
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see if you are entitled to a carer's allowance
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take time for yourself, even going for a walk on your own can help give you a break
Talking to your child about autism
It's your choice when you want to tell your child about their autism.
Some parents do it when their child is newly assessed or diagnosed. Others wait until their child's a bit older. There is no right or wrong time.
When you talk to your child, it may help to:
- do it when they feel calm or relaxed
- talk to them in a place where they feel comfortable, with no distractions
- explain they do not have an illness, but they might need extra support to help them with some things
- explain they might find some things harder than other people, and some things easier
- bring them to a support group to meet other autistic children
Talk to them in a positive and factual age appropriate way. The Autism Easyread guide from the UK National Autistic Society can help you explain autism to your child.
Supporting your other children
Some children can find it hard if their brother or sister is autistic. If you have other children, there are things you can do to help them.
Do
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make time for them whenever you can - try to do some activities with just them
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talk to them about what's going on and ask if they have any questions or worries
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let them have time on their own or with their friends - for example, sleepovers at friends' houses
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involve them in things such as meetings with health professionals - it can help them understand what's going on