Being a parent is a true labor of love. Having children around the house brings a lot of joy, love, and blessings. But there are challenges, too. Being the parent of a child with autism has unique situations and challenges that many other parents face every day.
You are not alone. One in every 36 children (8%) in the United States is diagnosed with autism in the United States, as of 2023, notes Autism Speaks. Two years prior, it was just 1 in 44 children.
When your child feels overwhelmed or faces unique challenges, sometimes it makes you feel stressed, frustrated, and helpless. You may not know what triggered your child. When it happens in public, you might feel embarrassment and anger. These feelings are normal. You are just as human as any other parent on the planet.
Dealing with these feelings is why self-care is important for parents of children with autism. We have five essential tips to help you take care of yourself as you take care of your beautiful, neurodiverse child.
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Delegate Responsibilities
Many parents feel they need to handle everything themselves, but sharing the load can provide much-needed relief and better balance. Effective delegation means trusting others, including family members and friends outside of your household, who can help you with ordinary tasks to give you a break from everyday life.
For example, a single mother of an 8-year-old with autism might become overwhelmed by her son’s therapy appointments, school meetings, household chores, and her full-time job. She realized she needed help because the constant on-the-go schedule was creating a place where she never got a break unless her son was asleep at night and maybe on the weekends.
She asked her sister and mother to help with grocery shopping and to pick up her son from school on therapy days. These are just a few things this mother can do to help make her life less busy.
Here are some mundane tasks that can be delegated to people you trust:
- School pick-up/drop-off
- Grocery shopping
- Scheduling appointments
- Household cleaning
- Meal prep and planning
- Laundry
- Helping with homework
- Running errands (e.g., pharmacy)
- Organizing playdates or social activities
- Yard work or home maintenance tasks
Schedule Time Each Day to Unwind
The demands of caregiving can be physically and emotionally draining. Making time to relax, even for a short period, can improve your mental health, recharge your energy, and help you stay patient and present for your child with autism in Springfield, MO.
Think of a married father of a 10-year-old with autism as well as two other children. He would feel guilty for taking time for himself because his active son needs extra attention navigating school, afterschool activities, and spending time with friends. His two other children also have similar schedules. His spouse can handle some tasks, but they are both very busy balancing careers and family time.
The father’s daily routine is packed with work, doing chores around the house, and spending time with the kids to make sure they get homework done. The schedule leaves some room for relaxation when the children go to bed. But when his 10-year-old son has a new challenge due to autism, it’s difficult to settle down at night due to the emotional stress it causes everyone in the family.
After reaching a point of burnout, John realized the importance of scheduling “me time” daily. He started by setting aside 30 minutes each evening after his kids went to bed for activities he enjoyed, like reading or listening to music. Over time, John noticed he felt more relaxed, less stressed, and better able to support his son with patience and understanding.
Connect With Other Parents of Children Who Are Autistic
Developing connections with other parents who have children with autism can be an invaluable source of support, empathy, and understanding. Other parents can share experiences, exchange advice, and find comfort in knowing you are not alone on your journey. It can also offer a safe space to talk about challenges without judgment.
For instance, the parents of a 6-year-old boy on the autism spectrum felt isolated and overwhelmed after their son’s diagnosis. They didn’t know anyone going through a similar experience and struggled with feelings of loneliness and helplessness.
After joining an online support group for parents of children with autism, this young couple found a network of parents who truly understood her challenges. These connections helped them feel supported and provided them with practical advice on therapies and coping strategies not found in books.
Regularly connecting with other parents has since become an essential part of their self-care routine, helping them manage stress and gain new perspectives.
Here are 10 ways to connect with other parents of children with autism in Springfield, MO, and elsewhere:
- Joining a local support group
- Participating in online autism forums
- Attending autism-focused workshops or events
- Following autism parent communities on social media
- Setting up playdates with other families
- Attending parent meetups organized by schools
- Volunteering with autism organizations
- Starting or joining a parenting blog
- Engaging with autism-related podcasts or webinars
- Using apps designed for connecting special-needs parents
Practice Self-Care Activities
Spending time with just yourself or your partner can be challenging as parents, particularly if you have multiple children and all of them are active. Add in the extra challenges of a child with autism, and your quiet time becomes a precious and rare commodity.
Consider these practical activities either by yourself or with your partner to find time to unwind after a busy day:
- Listening to a favorite podcast or audiobook
- Taking a short walk outside
- Practicing meditation or deep breathing exercises
- Watching a TV show or movie
- Reading a book or magazine
- Doing light stretching or yoga
- Journaling or reflecting on the day
- Taking a warm bath
- Listening to calming music or nature sounds
Prepare for Unexpected Moments of Quiet
Everyday life can stay busy for weeks on end, especially with school-age children. During school, there is homework and afterschool activities. During the summer or winter holidays, there are activities at home. Throw in the surprises and unexpected things that happen with a child who has autism in Springfield, MO, and sometimes triggers and tantrums can throw a major wrench into your day.
Finding ways to unwind and relax doesn’t have to be a formal activity you set time aside for. There can be quiet moments throughout your week where you can find moments of quiet to treat yourself to self-care. These can happen as you commute to work, after you drop off the kids at school, or when kids are at appointments.
Consider these ways to find time for quick activities that might happen during quiet moments throughout your day:
- Keep a book or Kindle close by
- Download relaxation or meditation apps
- Have a playlist ready for calming music
- Create a list of short yoga stretches
- Set up and bring a hobby kit (e.g., knitting, sketching)
- Have a favorite snack or drink ready
- Organize a “to-watch” list for short videos or shows
- Practice deep breathing or mindfulness exercises as you sit quietly in an office
- Have a list of games to play on your smartphone or tablet
Find an ABA Therapist in Springfield, Ozark & Joplin
Finding an autism therapist in Springfield, MO, can also give you a break for a little bit when you have a busy life. We offer a full range of ABA therapy services for your child.
To learn more about our services or answer additional questions, contact us through our website or call (417) 818-5784 today. We have offices in Springfield, Ozark, and Joplin, Missouri.
