Special Learning Logo Light
The Importance Of Support Groups

The Importance of Support Groups

Living with autism can be very daunting for families with all the difficulties and challenges that it entails. Many parents feel very isolated and that nobody really understands the pressures of dealing with their child on a day-to-day basis. Support groups can be a tremendous source of help to families who have a child with autism.

Support groups enable parents to share information with one another, such as information about therapies or new programs, stories and experiences of living with autism, and advice on how to deal with different professionals. They also allow parents to vent their frustrations and have their feelings validated and understood.  Through these groups, parents can get to hear about training workshops, school services, and attend events that may be beneficial, including social outings. Other benefits include the opportunity to forge long-lasting friendships with other families.

Another advantage of support groups is parents can share childcare with each other as the families already have firsthand experience and understanding of living with autism, so they can give each other a break.  This can be a huge mutual advantage as parents are often stressed and exhausted. They can feel confident that their child is in the care of someone who understands. Siblings can also receive support through attending support groups with their parents. Sometimes they have their own sibling group activities.

There are many support groups on the Internet and links to those can be found via various autism organizations and charities, such as Autism Speaks www.autismspeaks.org and the National Autistic Society www.autism.org.uk Although a lot of people like to communicate via online support groups, it can be beneficial to join a local group as face-to-face contact can help to build a more solid sense of community. A large active local group can have a real influence on the provisions and services that local government or health service providers make available.

Families need a good network of support, and support groups are an important part of this, providing a level of help that can extend into so many different areas of day-to-day life.  According to the findings of a recent study, two-thirds of parents of children with autism were members of a support group (Mandell & Salzer, 2007).

References:

Mandell, D.S., & Salzer, M.S. (2007). Who joins support groups among parents of children with autism?  Autism. 11 (2), 111-122.

 

Leave A Comment

JOIN JOURNEY TO INDEPENDENCE

Parent Waitlist Program

FREE FOR PARENTS

November 02, 2023 | 12pm-1pm PDT

Journey to Independence

Community-based program designed to support families on waitlist

Being an RBT for me was extremely fun because where were you going to find a place where you can be completely silly without having to worry what people thought about you? This was the only job that made me feel like I could make a dramatic difference while being myself.

I also liked to be surrounded by people that had the same goals of wanting to help kids and the teamwork made the job much easier and more enjoyable.

Change and progress was the ultimate goal for our kiddos. The early intervention program was seriously only a miracle because I saw changes in the kiddos that from day one, you wouldn’t even recognize who they were.

Changes from being able to utter 3-4 words where they can only make a syllable from when they started, the behavior decreases in which kiddo that used to engage in 30-40 0 self-harm to only half, learning how to wait during games, table work where they use to swipe and drop to the floor if they had to.

My favorite was when the parents would tell us what amazing progress they were making at home. I used to tear up and felt for these parents so much because it was already difficult for them and now, they can trust and rely on ABA and the therapists knowing their goal was ours.

By Emma Rogers, BA, RBT

Mother Child
Special Learning’s Free Hotline

This is an independent SL Hotline that is part of our VCAT service. This hotline has no connection with any other association or membership group.

Got a question you want a BCBA or other ABA expert to answer?
Fill in this form and one of our professionals will handle your question quickly and confidently. You can expect a response in 24-hours or less.