If one or more of your family members has autism, family therapy can be a great support resource to help you navigate the challenges that come with this. Below are three signs your family may benefit from family therapy for autism.

 

1.      Your family has trouble communicating

Many people with autism do not communicate in exactly the same way as other people. This can cause challenges in a family. Communication is one of the things that most families struggle with overall, so it can be especially difficult to problem-solve communication issues in a family with members that are on the autism spectrum. Family therapy can be a safe space to work through communication issues with a professional who understands how to communicate with people of varying levels of social and verbal abilities. It’s also a place where family members can learn how to talk to one another outside of therapy in a way that they will best be heard and understood. 

 

2.      Members of your family feel overlooked or ignored

Sometimes, when one member of the family has autism, other members may feel overlooked. This is because people, especially children, with autism, require more attention, care and support. This inequality in time spent with all family members can lead to resentment, jealousy, and acting out. A family therapist that specializes in autism support can help families navigate these feelings and brainstorm a plan to make things more equitable.

 

3.      There has been a big change in your family

Change is hard for families. Change is hard for people with autism. So, it only stands to reason that a family with members with the autism may have the most trouble adapting to big changes. These can be wide reaching, such as moving to a new city, welcoming a new child, or losing a family member, or they can be specific to one person, such as graduating from school, getting a job, or going through a divorce. Whatever is causing the change, working through the stressors with a family therapist can give all members personalized coping mechanisms, teach empathy, and develop strategies for working through tension at home.

 

 Where to Find Family Therapy for Autism

 

There are many ABA therapy clinics out there, but not all of them offer family therapy. When searching online, be sure to use specific keywords such as the type of therapy you want, your location, where you want the therapy and more to narrow down your options. For example, if you live in Seattle and want family therapy for autism, you can try terms like “Autism Family Therapy Seattle,” “Family Autism Therapy Seattle,” “Online Autism Family Therapy Seattle,” or “In Home Family Autism Therapy Seattle.” By starting out with specific search terms, you can narrow your search and find a clinic that specializes in the type of therapy you are looking for. This will save you time calling up clinics only to find out they don’t offer what you are looking for.  

Source: Aba Therapy Session Seattle