How to Cope with Stress while Caring for a Child with Autism

The stress can come in many different forms. Mentally, you can fall to become depressed or have anxiety. Physically, you can be more prone to becoming sick with illnesses such as; cardiovascular, immune system, and gastrointestinal issues. Socially, most people are not educated about Autism which can cause shame to parents from the public eye. While your child's behavior is not meeting the public's expectation, the parents and caregivers stress on how they are going to prevent the meltdowns while being in public. The other stressors that can effect a parent and caregiver is financial well-being; while you work a regular 40 hour a week job. A parent with a child with autism most likely cannot due to the care their child needs, and if they are not getting assistance from the state they could always be worried about their financials. As a caregiver, you may have additional expenses like; medical bills, childcare, etc.

If you have a partner or professional make sure you all are on the same page so they can help with these simple changes. Know that there are other forms of help if you do not have a partner or professional help. I would recommend looking into Residential Options in your area, they are usually a volunteer opportunity with reliable and trained helpers who can help with giving you some free time to focus on the present and not the future.

Just remember, asking for help from your friends, family, coworkers, and professionals around you is not a crime. Caring for a child just alone takes a "village" to raise, but raising a child with Autism takes a community; there are people out there willing to help, you just have to ask!