Being a parent or carer to anybody, neurotypical or not, comes with daily struggles and difficulties. However, caring for an autistic child or young person comes with a complex set of challenges, which can feel overwhelming and isolating when you do not have the right support system and resources to meet your loved ones specific needs. This illustrated support guide is written for parents and carers at any stage of their journey with autism. It offers an accessible overview of some of the terminology around autism and practical advice on all aspects of a carers role from diagnosis, education and healthcare to employment and ageing. The author offers helpful gleams of knowledge gained from personal experience, including coping mechanisms for taking care of your own wellbeing alongside lived experience stories.
Introduction
1. Parent or carer?
Mindset
Welfare
List of dos
Who is the expert?
Words of caution
2. Autism
What is autism?
Terminology explained
Invisibility and disability
Prevalence
Origins and myths
3. Practical advice
Diagnosis
Education
Healthcare
The law, knowing your rights
Ageing
4. Building understanding
Reading and listening
Words matter
5. Building resilience
Coping mechanisms
Planning
Therapies
6. Lived experience
Glossary and references
Dr Andy Evans is a writer, advocator and carer to his autistic adult son. Autism and dyslexia have been part of his world for 30 years, following the diagnoses of his children who have a mixture of both. When he began this journey, Andy had no prior knowledge of autism or dyslexia but quickly learnt that the best and most reliable help and support was from those with lived experience. Over the years he has continued to support other families to help them advocate for their loved ones, and advocates locally for better services for autistic people. He contributes regularly to the users and carers groups of the Central North West London Mental Health Services and supports a local charity, MK Autism, with research and articles.
