The Story
Parenting and/or caring for an autistic person with significant support needs can lead to stress, emotional strain, and carer burnout. Stress levels typically exceed those of parents and carers of non-autistic people. In this course, we highlight sources of stress, including meltdowns and shutdowns, mental health challenges, not enough practical and emotional support, physical and emotional exhaustion, personal sacrifices, accommodating the autistic person’s sensory sensitivity, social abilities and need for routines and having to navigate the various support agencies and community stigma. We outline the signs of carer burnout and, importantly, share strategies for preventing and managing burnout, self-care and creating an effective support network.
Description
Parenting and/or caring for an autistic person with significant support needs can lead to stress, emotional strain, and carer burnout. Stress levels typically exceed those of parents and carers of non-autistic people. In this course, we highlight sources of stress, including meltdowns and shutdowns, mental health challenges, not enough practical and emotional support, physical and emotional exhaustion, personal sacrifices, accommodating the autistic person’s sensory sensitivity, social abilities and need for routines and having to navigate the various support agencies and community stigma. We outline the signs of carer burnout and, importantly, share strategies for preventing and managing burnout, self-care and creating an effective support network.
