Discover how a parent coach can help you and your kids succeed.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), one in every 36 children is diagnosed with autism. This is a staggering number! An autism diagnosis has the potential to create significant struggles for both children and parents.
Many parents and caregivers feel confused and overwhelmed when dealing with an autism diagnosis. They're not sure where to start and how to navigate the complex system of education and therapies available to help their child succeed in life.
As a parent, you may feel lost or discouraged...there is so much information out there that it can be confusing and overwhelming!
When it comes to finding the best strategies to help your child succeed, no one solution works for every family. But there is one solution you’re unlikely to see recommended, and that's support and coaching for you as the parent of an autistic child!
All too often, the recommendations we receive are focussed on what the child needs, but has anyone talked with you about what resources and self-care support you need?
Probably not! If you're like most autism parents I've met and worked with, you didn't even know this type of support exists, and that’s a shame. But no worries, you’re here now, and I’ve got your back,
Read on to discover the three reasons why you need to work with a professional autism parent coach.
You can learn from an autism parent who has been where you are right now.
Unless you've been through it, you just don't understand.
I'm betting you feel that way frequently. While your friends and family are talking about Little Suzie's dance recital or Bobby's t-ball game, you're shuffling between OT and speech therapy while wondering what the application process is like for the specialty school you hope your kiddo gets into.
It can be hard to know how to navigate all the things that are part of your new normal as the parent of an autistic child. Having someone who has "been there and done that" is a valuable part of creating a self-care plan that works to help you be the best version of yourself.
Your parenting journey will probably look a lot different than what you thought. It will most likely last beyond the time your child is 18. You're likely to get a lot less sleep and have to perform more intense parenting activities than parents of neurotypical kids. Having a trusted resource who “gets it” and can help you stay on track is vital.
Parenting an autistic child can be challenging…and typical parenting and self-care advice may not help.
One of the most challenging aspects of parenting autistic children is knowing how to take care of yourself without neglecting your needs. You must figure out how to prioritize your own needs and those of your child while simultaneously caring for your child’s needs, which may be overwhelming and intense.
And if you don’t care for yourself, you won’t be able to care for your child.
The worst part may be that all the self-care advice we typically hear, and a lot of the parenting advice we get, will not apply to our kids and our lives! There's a saying that goes "If you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person." Autistics as a group have similar traits, but they are all unique individuals who have specific needs that can change frequently.
This combination can be challenging to work around...constantly changing kids with big needs that don't respond to the advice you're given about raising them. That's a lot to handle!
Then you add in the fact that the self-care advice you're likely to hear doesn't help when you haven't slept in 4 nights and you can't figure out why your non-speaking child suddenly won't eat their favorite food or sleep for more than an hour at a time (Pro tip: if you're ever in this situation, look inside kiddo's mouth. Chances are good they're having dental pain. Learned this one the hard way. Ahem).
Having a self-care coach to guide you towards making the best choices you can under your unique circumstances will go a long way toward helping you maintain your sense of self, be the best parent you can be, foster a strong and loving relationship with your child, all while helping you hold on to what makes you, You!
If you'd like to discover more about the self-care activities I recommend, click here to download your FREE copy of "7 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Stress: A Guide for Parents of Autistic Children.”
You deserve it.
Full stop!
Just because you're a parent, doesn't mean you always have to put your needs last. I'd argue when parenting an autistic child, it’s more important that you hold onto those things that feel necessary and important to you.
For me, it was impossible to know when I had given enough to my children, and when I’d crossed the line from being a nurturing, loving parent, into enabling poor behavior and sacrificing too much.
It becomes so easy to do anything and everything you can to prevent a meltdown from happening. Then, one day you wake up, and realize you haven't been out with friends in months, you don't know when the last time you washed your hair was, and you can't even remember what you like to do.
That's no way to live, and I want better for you.
All parents deserve to have time for themselves, even parents of autistic kids. Having a self-care coach in your corner can make this a heck of a lot easier. Sometimes, it's almost like we need permission to take care of ourselves, and that's what I'm here to help you do.
Conclusion
It's hard enough raising children. If you have an autistic child, you know that adds a certain amount of "extra" to your life. If you're already overwhelmed and struggling with parenting, adding the complexity of raising an autistic child to the mix, without the right supports, can quickly lead you to burnout…or worse.
If you're struggling with your emotions and managing your life (plus your kiddo's therapy schedule), all while doing your best to understand and meet your child's needs, you're not alone! I know firsthand how overwhelming it is. I was one of those moms who was losing her mind and who didn’t know how to keep her family afloat.
The self-care system I developed for myself has been transformational for me and my kids. We're all thriving, and a lot of it has to do with me realizing I needed to get off Martyr Mom Island and start taking care of myself.
If you'd like to learn about how I did it, and how self-care coaching can help you, contact me here. The changes you'll create in just 12 weeks are truly amazing, and could have a significant impact on you and your family for years to come.
Meet your self-care coach!
