| Dads - The Key Ingredient |
 | |  | |  |
| Online Supports for Dads |
 | |  |
Two of the most forgotten individuals in the family, that includes a child with a disability, generally are the siblings and the father. This is a page being build around supports for dads. I have also built one for siblings. This is not always the case, but many times as an advocate I ask… what types of support is dad receiving and most often the response is … NOTHING! This goes hand in hand with the divorce rates amongst families with children with autism being at 80%,according to the National Autism Association. This not suggesting that men, fathers, are the reasoning behind the divorce, but what this does signify is a few things: Families are not getting their needs met, individually or as a family. This could include socializing with others who have similar experiences or having time to themselves or with each other (mom and dad) without the children. I often ask in presentations "when was the last time that "you... mom and dad, when out on a date without the kids?" How about you dad... what was your outlet before your children came along? Was it golf? When was the last time you went to the driving range? For my husband it is his motorcycle. We must make time for ourselves and take care of us, so that we may do what we do best - take care of those we love around us. It is safe to say, as parents of children with disabilities, we are somewhere within the stages of mourning process, depending on what is happening at what moment in life-sometimes families experience crisis after crisis, begining to move into the next stage and end up right back where they started. I have often heard from fathers who whole heartily blamed themselves for their child having autism. I have seen where fathers say.. you know, I think I might have some of that too, now what? I hear from father's daily in my work there are few if any supports for them. There might be a support group, but it takes 2 hours to get there and it really is not my cup of tea, or we have nothing at all within hours of where we live for dads. I had a dad call once, he was a police officer and was calling from his car with his window rolled up, obviously on duty, and began telling me his story and crying... when "bang.. bang" on the window was this lady needing assistance. This dad never did call back. Where is he today? Has he received any of the support or information he set out to obtain? I do not know, but I want to be sure to let other fathers know there is hope and people who care. As a mother and an advocate I never want anyone to ever feel as though there is nothing for them and alone. That there is no where to go and no support. Father's play a key roles in the family, they are the husbands to the wives, the carry the burdens and the struggles of the family on their shoulders, and so many other roles. Some of you out there may need a little encouragement to know, you are not alone, there is hope, you can do this and this is how... but it would be better heard from another dad who has experienced what you have rather than someone else who really can not speak to your experience and or experiences. My hope for this page as it develops is that it becomes a starting point for a father who is feeling alone, afraid and blaming himself for his child's diagnosis of autism or some other disability and needs a place to begin to find support from other dads. |
| The Key Ingredient |
| A Place for Dads Aut Dads Autism Dads Autism Father Autism for Fathers Fathers of Autism Special Needs Dads |
Custom Search
| DisabilityGoTo |
| DisabilityGoTo (517) 420-3313 Direct assistance@disabilitygoto.com 404 S Darst, Eureka, IL 61530 |
Custom Search
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |