Written By: Debjani Arora | Published : April 1, 2015 5:07 PM IST
Seeking support isn t a sign of weakness, no matter what your situation is. It just means that you are strong enough to move ahead and find encouragement to keep going, despite the various challenges. Parents with children who are differently abled or suffer from autism spectrum disorder couldn't agree more. This is why support groups play a very important role in their lives. Despite the fact that these children need special therapies and treatments to cope with the challenges of their day-to-day lives, nothing can replace the need of a support group for them. Moreover, a support group stands to be of help to the parents more than for the children. An autism support group usually gives the parents courage to live every moment of their life with ease.
Here is what you should expect from a support group:
Open discussion: First, the main aim of having a support group is to be able to talk and discuss the various problems and challenges parents face each day. However, just talking and reaching no conclusion wouldn't be effective. These talks should be facilitated by an autism care expert so the parents get a definite direction and move on the right track in terms of counselling and understanding how to deal with their issues appropriately, says Shreya Tandon, psychologist, Centre for Child and Adolescent Well Being (CCAW), New Delhi. When it comes to dealing with an autistic child both the parents might view things differently and have a specific set of problems or challenges they need to address. A support group should be able to address the specific problems of the mother as well as the father pertaining to their child, mentions Shreya. Here are some alternative approaches to treatment for autism.
Interaction of children: When parents of autistic kids come together to support each other, it gives an opportunity for their children to mingle and interact in a secure environment. Most of the time children suffering from autism spectrum disorder have compromised social intelligence. A support group that helps parents come forward gives their children a kind of social circle they can be comfortable in. Parents can encourage a play date that would help to stimulate social interactions. The outcome of these interactions can be tremendous, usually for kids suffering from mild disorders. With time they start to interact with each other though non-verbally, like tugging each other s hand or patting their friend on the back. They benefit from these interactions immensely, says Tandon. Here is how Art Based Therapy can help in dealing with autism.
Learning and bonding: A good support group gives parents the requisite support, empowers them and also helps them get on the right track with the therapies and treatments. There are times when parents might have chosen a particular therapy for their child which did not show results, talking to other parents gives them a fair idea about how they can deal with the situation and proceed in the right direction. Parents learn from each other s mistakes and experiences. When advice comes from a fellow parent it feels more authentic than a doctor or therapist. This helps parents learn new ways to deal with their child and look beyond just therapies and treatments, says Dr Deepak Gupta, child and adolescent psychiatrist, Consultant, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH), founder, Centre for Child and Adolescent Wellbeing (CCAW), New Delhi. Here are six tips for parents with a special child.
Impeccable support: There are various questions that come to the parents mind regarding the well-being of their child. However, there are times when they are reluctant to seek answers from even the therapists or doctors. Two parents who are going through the same ordeal are best people to answer each other s questions. This way they can empathise and provide support to each other like no one else can. This is why a support group always becomes like an extension of their family, boosts their morale and helps them gauge the needs of their child, says Dr Gupta. Here are 10 things a child with autism wishes you know.
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