Since beginning to volunteer with individuals with differing developmental abilities over 20 years ago I've had the opportunity to meet a countless number of individuals that our world is not great at accepting. Over that time services to help individuals reach their potential and lead full lives has greatly improved. My time working in such services left me wondering, what about the parents and caregivers? Who helps them when they are scared about the first day of school? Who assists them when their child launches into adulthood? What is in place to support parents when they first receive the news of a diagnosis?

Learning of a neurodevelopmental diagnosis can create a swirl of thoughts and emotions; all of them valid and deserving. The lives of families quickly full up with extra stressors like school meetings and doctors visits that require decisions on topics most never heard of before. Time to focus on oneself, a marriage, or any other relationships can take a backseat to the needs of a child. And each step along the way (starting school, puberty, transition to adulthood) can realign the roles and expectations within a family.

Caregivers report higher levels of social isolation, greater financial stress, and greater stress on the primary parenting relationship. Multiple studies have shown specifically parents of children with autism experience a significant higher rate of depressive symptoms.

There are no universal answers that work for every parent or family. You are deserving of a space to define what values will guide you on, and make meaning of, this journey. I hope I can support you as an individual or as a couple to define those values and build on them in a way that works for you and your family.