Welcome! You are in the right place if:

A six-month resource supporting parents of  autistic children

thriving with autism partners with engaged parents of autistic children to navigate and thrive through their child’s first few years of diagnosis to thrive without frustration, self-blame and wasted time by sharing a road map of practical strategies and personalized support for the emotional challenges.

You will walk away with:

• Practical tools and resources for managing different aspects of parenting an autistic child from meltdowns to everyday appointments and more.
  
• Personalized support to feel more in control of your reactions and emotions on a daily basis.
  
• Strategies to build on the quality of life for everyone in your family.

Read below for the specifics about the support and learning available to you.

Module 1:

Master the Practicalities 

You’ve been walking around in a daze, trying to get past the shock of your child’s diagnosis and now it’s time to dig in. You’re ready to lay a foundation of resources and find the right support for your child’s care. 

What You Will Learn:

• Common therapy options, questions to ask to ‘vet’ therapists, and when to trust your intuition about your own child’s needs. 
• A structure to organize the mountain of paperwork from medical professionals, insurance companies, and research you’re doing. 
• To begin releasing your complicated emotions so you can move into focused action.
• In addition, you’ll begin building connections within a community of parents in weekly group coaching sessions.

As you complete this module, you will start to feel in control of your emotions, feel resourced, and supported as you process your reactions to this news. 

Module 2:

Family and Friends. How to get the Support YOU Crave 

Whew! Taking care of your child is challenging and losing yourself in the process is a slippery slope. You’ve been through a variety of emotions since learning of your child’s autism. You want to be 100% available to support your child while meeting the needs of the rest of your family. 

In this module, you will create a strong emotional foundation for your new situation. 

You Will Gain:

• Practices that foster your stamina, ignite your inner problem solver and replenish your confidence.
• A “village” of support - Identify your helpful ‘go-to’ practices and the people who help you feel energized and heard.
• Skills to create an equilibrium with your partner, family, and social circle to foster feelings of acceptance and support. 

By the end of this module, you have a new level of personal and social confidence. You’ll recognize your progress and celebrate positive momentum. 

Module 3:

Master the Keys to Having More Good Days

Quality of life at home is important for everyone. This module highlights creating routines and safe spaces to reduce or alleviate meltdowns. Learn to anticipate and manage potential challenges and find a new level of flow and flexibility. 

You Will Gain Strategies:

• To move through meltdowns and learn to manage them with compassion. 
• To take charge; make the most of family get-togethers so family time can be supportive and enjoyable. 
• To learn to balance your frustration with the unpredictable and develop the flexibility to ease through tough situations. Foster a positive inner dialogue so you feel supported from the inside out. 

Now life is feeling more manageable, you enjoy family and social get-togethers and your child feels included. Most of all, you are more patient and understanding of your own difficult emotions, especially when things are out of your control. 

Module 4:

Setting Your Child Up for Success in Everyday Appointments 

Simple everyday things like going to the doctor, dentist, or getting a haircut can create real challenges for your child. A smooth experience requires advanced thought and planning. Spending some time considering your child’s triggers allows you to head off problems and create a better experience for everyone.

You Will Learn:

• How to communicate in different scenarios to build confidence and create the best possible outcomes from visits to the dentist, hairdresser, etc. 
• To size up which advocacy approach is best for your child and when to use it.  
• To foster your child’s confidence and independence with age-appropriate self-advocacy.

Once you have completed this module, appointments with your child will be easier and more successful for everyone. You’ll know which interventions to use in advance of the appointment to ensure success. Your whole family will leave the dread of appointments behind!

Module 5:

Keeping Your Child Safe 

Always important, safety is particularly key for parents of autistic children. The best protection is preparation: have a plan in place. Creating awareness for your family members and helping your child learn how to stay safe is vital. 

What You Will Learn:

• General safety principles plus specifics about water safety, elopement (wandering), and other common challenges so you can utilize prevention strategies with your child and be prepared with an action plan.
• To help your child develop appropriate ‘Trust in People’ allowing them to recognize adults who can safely help.
• To quickly evaluate what level of disclosure of your child’s diagnosis is necessary so that those who intercede have the insight they need to help your child if a situation arises.  

By the end of this module, you will clearly understand the various potential safety concerns and have clear plans for prevention. You will have resources to prepare your child and family should a situation arise and know that you’ve got it covered. 



Module 6:

Foster and Build Your Stamina, Confidence, and Resilience 

Think of your best days with your child. What’s working? What’s different? How are you feeling? You’ll still have challenging days but you now have a deeper understanding and new skills to navigate and thrive. 

You Will: 

• Stop focusing on day-to-day challenges and instead take the long view so you recognize the changes and improvements in your life. 
• Celebrate your strength and perseverance - You are a champion of many skills, strategies, and capabilities.
• Appreciate your parenting skills - You are the exact parent they need and love! 

Now that you have completed this module, you’re celebrating your new perspectives, strength, and confidence to raise your child and negotiate situations as they arise. Your circle of support has expanded to include new as well as old friends who understand exactly how far you’ve come, cheer you on, and celebrate with you.