PARENTING STRESS RELIEF
CARING FOR A CHILD WITH AUTISM
Definition Of Stress
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In a medical or biological context stress is a physical, mental, or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension.
Stresses can be external (from the environment, psychological, or social situations) or internal (illness, or from a medical procedure). Stress can initiate the "fight or flight" response, a complex reaction of neurologic and endocrinologic systems.
Stresses can be external (from the environment, psychological, or social situations) or internal (illness, or from a medical procedure). Stress can initiate the "fight or flight" response, a complex reaction of neurologic and endocrinologic systems.
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More than 75% of all visits to the doctor are Stress Related.
- Do you feel overwhelmed and stressed out daily?
- Do you find yourself up at night because your mind was racing?
- Do you find it difficult to concentrate because your mind is full of worry and fear?
- Do you feel overwhelmed and stressed out daily?
- Do you find yourself up at night because your mind was racing?
- Do you find it difficult to concentrate because your mind is full of worry and fear?
Stress-Related Challenges
A day in the life of a Parent/Caregiver of a child with autism spectrum disorder can include any number of Challenges and Stress ie :
- Helping your child avoid sensory overload
- Coping with Unexpected tantrums in public,
- Your child being unable to sleep,
- Keeping the Parent/Caregiver from getting the rest they need.
Types of Parent/Caregiver Stress
Psychological Stress--
Being unable to meeting the needs of a child with autism can increase a parents mental health risk of depression, anxiety, or other kinds of psychological distress if they do not take steps to learn healthy coping strategies .
Physical Stress--
Chronic stress can make parents of children with autism more vulnerable to cardiovascular, immune system, and gastrointestinal issues.
They may also suffer from increased fatigue or struggle with insomnia, especially if their child also struggles with sleep.
They may also suffer from increased fatigue or struggle with insomnia, especially if their child also struggles with sleep.
Social Stress--
Much of the general public is uneducated about autism spectrum disorder, and people may blame or shame a parent when they misunderstand a child’s behaviors.
This can create a stigma that can lead to parents feeling socially isolated, may also be more likely experience marital stress. and may begin to avoid public gatherings or spending time with friends and family.
This can create a stigma that can lead to parents feeling socially isolated, may also be more likely experience marital stress. and may begin to avoid public gatherings or spending time with friends and family.
Financial Stress--
Parents may also face additional expenses such as therapy, medical expenses, and child care that put an additional financial burden on the family.
Some parents are even at risk of losing their jobs if they have to frequently take off work to care for their child.
Some parents are even at risk of losing their jobs if they have to frequently take off work to care for their child.
You Can Control your Stress
Start With Simple Changes--
- making sure you get enough sleep at night, exercise regularly, and schedule some time for yourself.
- Focus on even smaller changes such as slowing down through your daily routine, drinking more water, or asking for help with simpler tasks.
- caring for yourself has an immediate positive impact on your child’s functioning as well.
You might be surprised how much of your stress level
is within your control
is within your control
Focus on Reality
Parents of children with autism are at particular risk for excessively worrying about their children and what challenges they may face in the future.
Ask yourself whether you’re focused on the reality-based needs of your child or the future.
Asking, “ What is my responsibility to my child today and to myself?” can help you direct your focus back to what you can actually control.
Ask yourself whether you’re focused on the reality-based needs of your child or the future.
Asking, “ What is my responsibility to my child today and to myself?” can help you direct your focus back to what you can actually control.
Rekindle and Find Your Focus on Reality
For many parents of children with autism, work is one of the few places where they can find a break from caring for their child.
Parents should have time and spaces outside of work where they can focus on their emotional and physical health, their interests, and other important relationships.
Give your child the opportunity to interact with other adults and this will benefit both you and your child
Parents should have time and spaces outside of work where they can focus on their emotional and physical health, their interests, and other important relationships.
Give your child the opportunity to interact with other adults and this will benefit both you and your child
Use Your initiative— Get Support
Research has shown that parents of children with autism who access solid support systems are less likely to experience stress than those who don’t or can’t.
Family members and close friends may want to know stand how they can help, so consider giving them specific tasks when they offer.
Add Disability Organizations, places of Worship, Schools, and other Community Organizations as they may be important additions to your support system.
Build Your Support Network ~ You Don’t Have To Go It Alone
Family members and close friends may want to know stand how they can help, so consider giving them specific tasks when they offer.
Add Disability Organizations, places of Worship, Schools, and other Community Organizations as they may be important additions to your support system.
Build Your Support Network ~ You Don’t Have To Go It Alone
Engage Professional Help
Professional help can play an important part in managing your stress level.
Make an appointment with your primary care physician to make sure that your physical health is good and there aren’t any complications that are adding to stress.
Disability or Autism organizations or your local school or hospital can also help connect you to support groups , resources and information that can reduce the stress of parenting.
Make an appointment with your primary care physician to make sure that your physical health is good and there aren’t any complications that are adding to stress.
Disability or Autism organizations or your local school or hospital can also help connect you to support groups , resources and information that can reduce the stress of parenting.
Learning to manage stress is as simple as paying attention to how you currently manage stress and considering
“What Are Healthier, More Effective Options”.
** It might take a few extra minutes out of your day,
But engaging these options can lead to a better life for both you and your child. **
But engaging these options can lead to a better life for both you and your child. **
Self Help
Start by asking yourself the following questions:
- When and where can I slow down, focus my thinking, and prevent fear or stress from taking over?
- What small but significant changes can I make to how I care for my mind and body?
- Whom in my support system have I been quick to overlook or dismiss when my child or myself needs help?
- Are there any parenting/caregiver tasks I can delegate to others to lower my overall stress?
- What community resources have I overlooked that can help me manage stress, connect me to low-cost or free professional help, or provide support to my child ?
Make Changes
By Letting go of worry over past or future events.
- Learn how to live in the present moment.
- Learn how to benefit from positive affirmations.
- Learn about the power of your subconscious mind.
- Learn how to reprogram your mind to be peaceful.
Where And How !
Start with “Panic Away !“
"The Panic Away Program teaches how to end panic attacks and reduce feelings of general anxiety.
Using the 21-7 Technique, Barry McDonagh teaches how to stop a panic attack in 21 seconds and reduce feelings of general anxiety in less than 7 minutes. ...
Using the 21-7 Technique, Barry McDonagh teaches how to stop a panic attack in 21 seconds and reduce feelings of general anxiety in less than 7 minutes. ...
A Program that changes the way you process your anxiety enabling you to end panic attacks and general anxiety.
It costs no more than a dinner for two but can change your life so much for the better.
Invest in the right kind of information. Information that puts you back in control of your life.
That is the best kind of investment you can make.
It costs no more than a dinner for two but can change your life so much for the better.
Invest in the right kind of information. Information that puts you back in control of your life.
That is the best kind of investment you can make.
A Program that has been highly researched and recommended to anyone looking for a Natural Way To Living Healthier And StressFree
When you Skilfully Learn To Handle Your Stress,
Not Only Does Your Stress Level Go Down, But Your Quality Of Life "Goes Up."
When you Skilfully Learn To Handle Your Stress,
Not Only Does Your Stress Level Go Down, But Your Quality Of Life "Goes Up."
- You will feel Calmer
- Your Heart Rate will become Normal
- Your Digestive and other systems will work normally, the way they were designed to
- Your entire body and mind will be in harmony, functioning to give you the most aware, joyful experience you can have
- The world may appear totally different
- Colours may seem more vivid
- Your shoulders will seem lighter, like some great burden has been lifted from them
- Life will become just "good" again
Whether You Want To Relax, Reduce Stress Or Go Deeper Inside Yourself, the PanicAway Program Can Make All The Difference
So...............What are you waiting for ?
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