Mums and Dads DESERVE Help Too - How To Ask For Real Help from Other Parents You Know is Soooooooo Important - Here's How You Ask For It.

Hi Parents, 

We get exhausted and we often feel alone. Parenting our kids with autism is worthwhile and amazing - but very, very hard.

As part of our weekly encouragement emails for you, here's the best tip I can give you - Don't do the journey alone.

So where to get the support you need?

Not the grandparents - you've tried that.

Not your friends with neurotypical/average kids - they don't get it.

Not the lady at the shops who looks at you like "Why don't you control your child!" - she'll never get it.

Here's where you get your support:

Other parents who have kids or teens with Autism. They get it. They walk the path. I'm lucky to work with about 20 other leaders and staff on our team who have kids with Autism and I'll gradually introduce you to their best ideas. But you don't need 20 other parents. 

You just need one other parent.

One you can text on a hard day.

One who will listen after another meltdown.

One who 'gets it'.

Not a 'Face`book friend' - a real person.

So next step: Who do you know who you can start to talk to - to get real support from someone who is waiting for you to just let them know you need a hand. Maybe at school. Maybe down the street. Be brave to reach out to them.

If you don't have someone like this, let us know and we'll try to get you some support. That's what we are here for.

PARENT HINT: You're more capable of getting through each day than you realise - and especially if you don't do life alone. :) 

Michael Clark (Course leader at Amazing Skills for children & teens with Autism)

www.amazingskills.com.au