An autism diagnosis can be one of the most significant challenges a child and their parents undergo. Overnight a family’s life can change. Not only do hopes, dreams, and expectations for your child’s future shift, so does your own parenting. No matter the severity of an autism diagnosis, parents should never go through the journey of autism therapy alone. Luckily, now there are autism parent training programs to fit every family’s needs. These programs can help parents adjust, cope, and raise their children to be the happiest, most independent, and confident adults they can be.
At EMIT, we offer autism spectrum disorder telehealth therapy programs for children and families, specializing in children ages 1.5 to 18 throughout New Jersey. Learn more about our programs today by calling 844.983.0240.
What Is Autism Parent Training?
Autism parent training can include anything from a crash course in parenting a child with autism to ongoing training and support to help a parent through their child’s formative years. There are groups across the country offering both in-person and online providing parents with autism therapy guidance. These programs provide suggestions, practical strategies, and tools parents need to practice autism therapy outside of the clinician’s office. Simultaneously, parent training support systems relieve stress and remind parents they aren’t alone on their parenting journey. Training programs may include the following:
- How to address a child’s negative behaviors at home for best success
- How to increase parent-child communication to support communication building skills
- Ways to support a child’s self-help life skills and foster future independence
- Teaching the child to play for learning and fun.
- Managing the challenges of parenting a child with ASD.
- Coping with parental pressure and stress.
- How to best implements tools from therapy at home.
For many parents, a local training program can offer more insight into the local autism therapy community. Parents can then build connections at school and create a support system nearby for stressful times. Online training programs offer convenience and ease, allowing parents to focus on their immediate family. Many training programs encourage larger family networks. Therefore, siblings, grandparents, aunts, and uncles can undergo training to build a greater understanding of a child’s needs and their parent’s daily challenges.
What to Look for in Autism Parent Training
Just like autism therapy programs, parent training programs are as unique and varied as a family’s needs. Online resources can build strong support systems with other parents and clinicians for those who live in more rural communities. Similarly, online programs work well for busy parents with children of any age.
In-person training may be best for those with school-aged children to help foster connection and support with teachers, administrators, and school therapists such as speech pathologists. Individual states and local communities offer a wealth of training programs and support to get parents through every phase of their child’s autism journey. Often, this support is exactly what parents need to keep a clear perspective, a positive outlook, and to remember to manage their own needs and health alongside their child’s. Training programs also act as support groups in these casing, keeping parents aware that autism therapy is a marathon, not a sprint.
Contact EMIT for More Information
An autism diagnosis can be life-changing for the entire family. Fortunately, there is a range of treatment options available, not only for the child but for parents and the rest of the family. In addition to our parent training option, we also offer treatments such as:
- Applied behavioral therapy
- Speech therapy
- Physical therapy
- Family therapy
- Social skills training
To learn more about our telehealth services or to enroll your child in our autism treatment program, please contact EMIT today at 844.983.0240.
