Finding Strength Together: The Effectiveness and Benefits of Parent Support Groups

Finding Strength Together

THE EFFECTIVENESS AND BENEFITS OF PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS

The day-to-day challenges of living with a neurodiverse child may lead to tremendous amounts of isolation and pressure that not many other parents understand. Some parents have been buried under this pressure for so long that we need to be reminded that support groups can be a powerful source of help for families and enable our parents to learn and build hope for the future. I am happy to start by saying that there is a significant list of benefits when it comes to parent support groups I will be focusing on my top four benefits, which are a sense of community, building confidence, emotional support, and improved mental health.

BUILDING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY

A sense of community involves many bonding factors since you will be surrounded by other parents of neurodiverse children who understand your journey. Either these parents will be currently sharing your experiences, or you will be able to get a glimpse of what the future holds.

This is also an opportunity to build a support network that can result in enduring lifelong friendships and connections that extend beyond the meetings. These relationships can positively impact the entire family, providing valuable experiences for both parents and children. Support groups enable parents to share information with one another, such as information about therapies or new programs, stories, and experiences which will broaden their access to resources.

GAINING CONFIDENCE AND RESILIENCE

Building self-confidence in parents can lead to greater resilience which then improves parentchild interactions. Therefore, active participation in support groups can lead to acquiring more profound comprehension of one’s own thoughts and emotions, as well as those of other individuals. This heightened self-awareness can contribute to increased confidence and improved parenting skills since you are sharing and learning in a supportive environment without fear of judgment.

Refined parent skills lead to more positive child behaviors. The impact can be extraordinary, extending from the home to the classroom. Parents often witness the development of improved communication and cooperation overall.

FINDING EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND VALIDATION

Emotional support is a key component in our groups. First and foremost, parents feel less isolated and more understood. This fosters a sense of belonging and validation, which is essential for parents who are feeling overwhelmed or unsure of their parenting abilities. The opportunity to engage in conversations with other parents who share similar experiences enables parents to receive assurance and understanding. This may be the only environment where parents can openly share their challenges, shame, or embarrassment and receive empathy and encouragement from their peers. Parents may also receive practical advice that can leave a positive lasting impact.

IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH SELF-CARE

Parent support groups can be seen as a form of self-care that improves your mental health. We can simply start by pointing out that this is a moment in time that you have intentionally carved out so that you can focus on yourself, which in turn will be beneficial for your whole family. There is a direct relationship between negative psychological health symptoms and physical health symptoms. This is also a reminder that your children will mirror your levels of stress, and you will model for them how to handle stressors. Therefore, by attending these groups and actively participating in discussions and activities, parents can effectively reduce stress and anxiety, leading to improved overall well-being for themselves and their families.

I have witnessed the power of these support groups because of the power within each of our parents. It is a reminder that we are not alone, and it is a place to find hope and humor among supportive individuals who understand. We hope that you can take advantage of a support group and extend your community.

The Stewart Center Parent Sessions

The Stewart Center is offering Parent Group Sessions open to current and former Westview families. These sessions will be held monthly on the following Thursdays at 9:15AM. The group is to support both parents and guardians of children with special needs Led by Mimi Le, Clinical Director of The Stewart Center this is a process group to learn, share, and evolve to support our children and each other better.

FEBRUARY 27, 2025MARCH 27, 2025APRIL 24, 2025

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