Grandparents and children with autism

The Pros and Cons of Grandparents Looking After Children with Autism

Grandparents often play a big role in a child’s upbringing, offering love, wisdom, and support. For families with children on the autism spectrum, grandparents can be incredibly valuable. However, there are both benefits and challenges when it comes to involving grandparents in caring for children with autism. In this blog, we explore the pros and cons to help families make informed decisions about involving grandparents in care.

The Benefits of Grandparents Caring for Children with Autism

1. Experience and Wisdom

Grandparents bring years of parenting experience, which can be a great asset. Their understanding of family dynamics helps create a stable environment, essential for children with autism who rely on routine and predictability.

2. Emotional Support and Bonding

The bond between grandparents and grandchildren can offer emotional security. Grandparents can provide consistent, loving interactions that help children with autism feel safe. This fosters social and emotional development.

3. Family Involvement and Continuity

Grandparents play a key role in keeping family traditions alive. For children with autism, continuity and family involvement offer comfort. Including grandparents in routines can help maintain a sense of normalcy.

4. Extra Caregiving Support

Grandparents can help ease the caregiving load on parents. Their involvement can be especially valuable during therapy appointments or daily routines, providing parents with much-needed breaks.

5. Cost-Effective Care

Grandparents often provide care without expecting payment. This can save families significant childcare costs, which can then be directed towards therapies such as ESDM therapy or other autism therapies.

The Challenges of Grandparents Caring for Children with Autism

1. Generational Differences

Grandparents may have different views on parenting and autism. Misunderstandings can arise from these generational gaps. The solution? Open communication and education. Families can share updated resources on autism and modern autism therapy techniques like ESDM (Early Start Denver Model).

2. Physical and Emotional Demands

Caring for a child with autism can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Grandparents may struggle with these demands. It’s important for them to take regular breaks and not feel overwhelmed by the caregiving role.

3. Lack of Specialised Knowledge

While grandparents have experience, they may lack knowledge about autism-specific needs. Parents can support them by providing access to ESDM therapy workshops, books, and professional guidance. This will help grandparents understand autism better and improve their caregiving.

4. Risk of Over-Reliance

It’s easy for families to rely too much on grandparents, which can lead to burnout. To prevent this, families should make sure caregiving responsibilities are balanced, and grandparents have time for their own lives and rest.

5. Managing Behavioural Challenges

Children with autism may show behaviours like meltdowns or sensory sensitivities that grandparents find hard to manage. Consistent strategies shared by Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Certified ESDM therapists can help grandparents handle these situations.

How ESDM Therapy Involves Grandparents

One way to support grandparents in caring for children with autism is through ESDM (Early Start Denver Model) therapy. This therapy is play-based and allows grandparents to get involved in their grandchild’s therapy sessions. Grandparents can learn how to implement the ESDM principles at home, helping to reinforce the skills their grandchild learns during sessions. Involving grandparents in ESDM therapy encourages family support and makes it easier for children to generalise skills across different environments.

Conclusion

Grandparents can offer wonderful support for children with autism, bringing love, wisdom, and stability into the family. However, it’s important to recognise and address potential challenges to ensure caregiving remains positive for everyone.

We’re Here to Support You

At OneOnOne Children’s Therapy, we believe every child deserves to thrive in a nurturing environment. Our team of Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Certified ESDM Therapists in Bondi Junction and Mascot offers comprehensive autism therapy, including ESDM, that involves the whole family, including grandparents.

Reach Out for Support

If you want to learn more about how we can help involve grandparents in your child’s care or are interested in ESDM therapy, we are here to support you. Contact OneOnOne Children’s Therapy today.

Call our Bondi Junction and Mascot clinics on (02) 8065 7837 or email us to book a free 30-minute phone call.