Counselling for the family

A child with autism often has a great impact on the family. In addition, families with young children are brought out of balance more quickly than families with slightly older children. This is because a small child requires more care and attention.

Situations can then arise, where extra help is needed. For example:

• Parents have parenting questions.For example, when they experience that what works with their other child does not work with their child with autism.
• Parents become overburdened or develop psychological issuesbecause their child is so difficult to manage. Sometimes, it is then necessary to first pay attention to this overburdening. For example, by arranging childcare in the direct environment or specialised childcare for the child with autism. The possibilities for this vary greatly from one municipality to another. The advice is to explore the possibilities through a neighbourhood or social team within your municipality.
• Siblings are affected by the behavioural problems of the child with autism.They may then also need help.
• Parents have developed relationship problems and that requires attention.

The following treatment or counselling is available:

• Parent-child treatment. This focuses on improving the interaction between you and your child. Sometimes, you and your child get stuck in a negative spiral. A professional can help you build a healthy parent-child relationship. The professional can also give advice. For example, about structuring and setting boundaries in your child's behaviour.
• Parental counselling. These are conversations in which you as a parent, together with the professional, try to find out where certain behaviour of your child is coming from. Together, you explore how things could maybe go better.
• Systemic family counsellingThis counselling may be necessary if the relationships within the family have become disrupted. This can concern the relationship between parents, between parent and child or between siblings. If several family members have characteristics of autism (or other developmental problems), it is important to take this into account.
• Sometimes, you can receive hometraining. The professional then comes to you. You can also work with video footage. This will give you a better understanding of behavioural patterns and the interplay between you and your child.