Full Description
Resilient Caregiving for Neurodivergent Children is a supportive, neuroaffirming, and practical guide that helps caregivers protect their own wellbeing while managing the emotional and day-to-day challenges of raising a neurodivergent child.
Grounded in evidence-based practices, this invaluable guide blends strategies from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as well as real-life stories and clinical experience. Unlike many parenting resources that focus primarily on the child, this book puts the caregiver's emotional health at the center of family wellbeing. Parents, caregivers, and guardians will learn how to make space for difficult emotions such as shame and guilt, ease their overwhelm, and reconnect with their values while building sustainable self-care habits. Chapters include reflective exercises, illustrative case stories, sample scripts, as well as key takeaways to help readers find strength and build emotional resilience at different stages of their caregiving journey. This book offers essential resources to help caregivers prevent burnout and help their child - and themselves - thrive.
Combining therapeutic tools with a lived understanding of neurodiversity, this book provides compassionate approaches to care and self-care for parents, guardians, and professionals alike.
Contents
Preface Part I: You, Your Neurodivergent Child And The World 1. First Things First: Understanding ACT, CBT, And How To Use This Book 2. What Is Neurodivergence? 3. The Game Is Rigged: Making Space For Difficult Emotions Part II: Dealing With The Thoughts And Feelings Of Being A Caregiver 4. Challenging Thoughts And Reshaping Expectations For Yourself, Your Child, And Others 5. Guilt, Shame, And Compassion 6. Managing Communication And Setting Healthy Boundaries Part III: Building Your Team And Building Up Your Reserves 7. Finding Your Voice And Tapping Into Resources (Or Not!) 8. Building A Life And Identity Outside Your Child 9. Finding Your Last Nerve Part IV: Crafting Your Story 10. Strength In Similarity: Parenting Neurodivergent Children As A Neurodivergent Caregiver 11. Your Story Moving Forward
