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Supporting Grandparents of Children with ASD – The Story of a Grandmother’s Adult Daughter and Her 12-Year-Old Autistic Grandchild
Early on, doctors had given them little hope, announcing that her granddaughter would never talk, play with others, or make eye contact. She proudly tells the member of the Grandparents Support Group of children on the autistic spectrum that, although her granddaughter struggles, she is now in a...
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My Grandson May Have Autism – How to Discuss This with Family Members
“I am concerned that my grandson may have signs of autism, but I am uncomfortable bringing this up with my son and daughter-in-law. Do you have any suggestions about how best to approach them?” It is natural to be unsure of how to share your concerns with your grandson’s parents. As is the...
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How Do I Explain My Decision to Use Science-Based Treatments for Autism When Friends and Relatives Often Insist I Try Something New?
When friends or acquaintances hear about our experiences with autism, quite often the first thing that person asks is, “What is your opinion of vaccines?” Then, in many cases, that person asks if we have heard of or read anything about Jenny McCarthy and how she cured her son’s autism. The...
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Parenting an Individual with Autism: A Roadmap
When a child is first diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, his or her parents are confronted with an immense set of decisions. What do I do first? Where do I go? What can I worry about later? Sometimes, this can be overwhelming. In my experience, it is best to simplify the process as much as...
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Planning for the Care of Your Special Needs Loved One
We will start out by discussing the rules of eligibility for certain types of assistance programs. Next, we will discuss problems and pitfalls in planning for a Special Needs loved one. This will evolve into a discussion about what are believed to be the best options of planning for special loved...
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Parents and Professionals: Building Collaborative Partnerships
When parents and the professionals who work with their children come together, children with disabilities benefit. The concept of a collaborative partnership between parents and schools in the design and implementation of special education is one of the six principles of the Individuals with...
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A “Heroed Generation” The Challenge of Caring for Both a Child with an ASD and Aging Parents
It has been fairly common to hear about the “sandwiched generation.” This refers to those who are caring for young children or who are helping young adults navigate the waters of college applications and starting a career path toward their own independent life while at the same time helping...
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Coping with Autism: A Mother’s Journey
People often ask “How do you cope with autism?” Having been down this journey for a dozen years with my 14-year-old son with autism I’d hope to “know the answer” as if it was that straightforward, but I know rather that the right balance and type of guidance and comfort that helps each...
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Dr. Fred Volkmar of the Yale Child Study Center Answers Common Family Questions
Fred R. Volkmar, MD, Director of the Yale Child Study Center, recently shared his comments on some frequently asked questions from parents of children on the autism spectrum: Q: What type of patients do you see at the Developmental Disabilities Clinic in Greenwich? A: We have seen a range in...
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Helping Parents and Family Members Cope with ASDs Stress, Support, and Coping in Families of Children with Autism
When a child is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, there are effects on each family member. The challenges are significant, and families cope very differently with the challenges. While many families report experiencing significant stress, many also report being strengthened by the...
