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Autism and Marriage: Making Your Relationship Work Under the Pressures of Caregiving
Having a child with autism can certainly put strain on a marriage. I should know. After over 20 years of marriage with two children on the autism spectrum, my marriage came to an end. So why am I writing an article about making your relationship work? Because it’s too important not to. My...
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“Reflecting on the Journey” – A Retreat for Parents of Autistic Family Members
This past year marked the 25th anniversary year of our annual weekend retreat for parents of young and adult autistic individuals. This innovative family support activity has become a highlight of the year for us, and for many of the approximately 60 parents of autistic family members who join us...
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The Critical Role of Grandparents for Autism Families
Grandma is sometimes the first to suspect. Nick Juritza sat up and crawled a bit later than usual. “My mom noticed little things about my son,” says Nick’s mother, Kelli Juritza. “She said to me, ‘You know, you might want to get him checked out.'” Juritza is among several parents...
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Services for the UnderServed’s Positive Psychology Approach to Serving People in Crisis and Their Families
Since 2016, Service for the UnderServed’s START/CSIDD (Crisis Services for Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities) Program offers crisis prevention and response services to people who have both developmental disabilities and complex behavioral needs and their families and...
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Getting Ready for Summer Camp: Tips for Parents
While kids prepare and look forward to the fun of summer break, as a parent you may be feeling stressed about months of hectic schedules, impromptu events, and later bedtimes. Let’s face it, for parents, summer’s promise of fun can quickly become a difficult and stressful time. For...
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Empowering Parents: Caregiver Support for Youth and Adolescents with ASD
Parents rely on neighbors, friends, family members and other caregivers to provide in-home temporary caregiver support, frequently referred to as “babysitting,” for their children while they attend meetings, run errands, and have some “couple” time away from routine family responsibilities....
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Essential Information: Respite Care for Families
Many individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) require significant levels of support in home, school, and community settings. Due to deficits in social communication and interaction, compounded by restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, many will not be able to keep themselves safe and...
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The Newborn and the Child with Autism: The Advice is the Same
As a parent with a 25-year-old son with autism, I am often asked what advice I would give to parents with a newly diagnosed child. My response is the same advice I give to new mothers as a nurse on the maternity unit. Parental emotional adjustment to a new baby is analogous to the adjustment to...
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The Vital Need for Support and “Me Time” for Parents of a Child with Autism
Raising a child diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder is a journey. It requires a lot of support. There will be challenges but many wonderful rewards. It can be a difficult process but when you have the right people around you, it is a road well-travelled. As I write this article, I feel a...
