Full Description
Being a parent or carer to anybody, neurotypical or not, comes with daily struggles and difficulties. However, caring for an autistic child or young person comes with a complex set of challenges, which can feel overwhelming and isolating when you do not have the right support system and resources to meet your loved one's specific needs. This illustrated support guide is written for parents and carers at any stage of their journey with autism. It offers an accessible overview of some of the terminology around autism and practical advice on all aspects of a carer's role from diagnosis, education and healthcare to employment and ageing. The author offers helpful gleams of knowledge gained from personal experience, including coping mechanisms for taking care of your own wellbeing alongside lived experience stories.
Contents
Introduction
1. Parent or carer?
Mindset
Welfare
List of dos
Who is the expert?
Words of caution
2. Autism
What is autism?
Terminology explained
Invisibility and disability
Prevalence
Origins and myths
3. Practical advice
Diagnosis
Education
Healthcare
The law, knowing your rights
Ageing
4. Building understanding
Reading and listening
Words matter
5. Building resilience
Coping mechanisms
Planning
Therapies
6. Lived experience
Glossary and references
