Why Parents of Autistic Kids Should Attend Therapy
When parents learn their child is Autistic, they are educated about all the services available to their child. They may hear suggestions such as occupational therapy (OT) and child therapy but are unlikely to be informed of therapeutic services that can help them as parents and individuals.
At Intuitive Counseling, we specialize in working with parents of neurodivergent kids, because they need help too! Intuitive Counseling is a family-systems based therapeutic provider. This means that we look at the whole picture to help the overall system achieve cohesive functioning by working on multiple pieces of the puzzle. The work that your Autistic child is achieving in their individual therapy is more likely to be effective when the system (or the family) is also growing and learning.
Parents of Autistic children have different experiences than other parents with Neurotypical children. Parents with Neurodivergent kids (including Autistic) may need to use non-traditional parenting styles, consider sensory overloads as reasons for meltdowns, and be in frequent contact with their child’s schools to manage 504’s or IEP’s. These parents are likely to see their children have different social skills and unique behaviors that others deem odd or unusual. When parents receive their own therapy, they can process their unique experiences, learn ways to support their child, and reach a point where their children’s differences are seen as strengths.
In conclusion, here are some of the benefits parents get when they attend therapy:
1. Receive validation and feel understood.
2. Space for you to process your own feelings about your experience as a parent and having a child who is unique.
3. Learn skills that can improve relationships and interactions in the home.
4. Increase your understanding of your child’s brain.
5. Discover how to advocate for your child’s needs.
Intuitive Counseling is here for you and happy to talk about helping you navigate raising a Neurodivergent child. Click here to request a constultation!