Even the Strongest Need Support!

Raising and properly caring for a child with special needs requires support.  No matter how strong and durable you think you are, having a support network will only make you stronger.  Over the past twenty years, children diagnosed with autism (and other developmental disabilities) have been the center of intervention, treatment, and etiology studies.  Less attention has been focused on the caregivers that spend the most time with these children.  Now that treatment protocols, intervention strategies, and causal debates have risen up and steadied out, it is time for more attention to be placed on the emotional well-being of caregivers.

I have been hosting a parent support group for three years.  After all this time, there are certain issues that continually come to the surface.  The most concerning issue is the feeling of social isolation and the cyclical thought of "I live in a world of my own". 

Challenging child behaviors and social interaction difficulties have been implicated as two of the main factors why some parents feel separated from society, family, and friends.  These behaviors and other symptomatic expressions take a lot of time and energy to manage.  Many times, caregivers are just simply too tired to engage in social outings, store shopping, or going to church, which leaves them feeling isolated.

Compounding this feeling of isolation is the fact that many caregivers are so exhausted after their day-to-day tasks and responsibilities, they do not have the energy or the drive to participate in respites.  Many of the caregivers I talk to also struggle to get out of the house to attend parent support meetings.  That is why it has been my mission to continue our parent support meetings even when only a few people are coming.  Why?  Because I KNOW what it takes to get yourself together enough to show up at a social gathering.  If one person makes it out, then that meeting was set up for that one person.  Furthermore, it not only benefits that one person, it also benefits their family. 

This is why support is vital for survival. Support in the form of respites or "caregiver breaks" provide caregivers with time to regain their stamina and allow their mind and body a moment to rejuvenate.  Respites allow caregivers a moment to think about their children, their family, and themselves.  Support meetings are usually in a small setting around a table with parents in similar situations. They allow us a place to listen or talk to other people that are usually very willing to provide direction, resources, and emotional support.

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