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Families are often the primary source of support for people with autism and other disabilities. That’s why this November, we are celebrating National Family Caregivers Month. While caregivers should be celebrated every day, this month is a special time to honor the love and dedication of the parents, grandparents and siblings who are caring for their autistic loved ones. In this E-Speaks, you will find stories from caregivers in our community and educational resources that will give you the tools to become a better advocate for your loved one.  

Interested in learning new skills and connecting with families?

The new series of Family ECHO: Autism is here to help. A virtual learning program for parents and caregivers of children with autism, Family ECHO was created to help families learn about autism and feel more confident and empowered in their role on their loved one’s care team. Learn more about the program and register for an upcoming session.

Next session: Anxiety & Autism, November 8, 2023 at 4:00 - 5:15pm ET.

Living with autism as an adult: Personal narratives from parents and caregivers

For many parents and caregivers, the thought of growing older can bring up feelings of uncertainty and anxiety.  At the recent Thought Leadership Summit on Autism and Aging, we heard from five parents who provided candid insights into the evolving needs of their autistic adult children, the challenges they have encountered navigating adulthood, and issues that should be prioritized in future research to better support the autism community. 

Putting self-care first

Being a caregiver is demanding in more ways than one. Trying to balance your time, energy and personal needs with the needs of your autistic child and the other people in your life is not easy. But remember that you cannot give from an empty cup—if you want to take the best possible care of your loved one, you must take the best possible care of yourself. View our self-care tips for caregivers, drawn from our Parent’s Guide to Autism, to help you find balance in your life.

Speak out in support of the Autism Family Caregivers Act

Caregivers skills training programs empower caregivers of children with autism and other developmental disabilities with important tools to use at home to improve communication, social and daily living skills. Earlier this year, Congress introduced the Autism Family Caregivers Act which would create a nationwide pilot program to expand this evidence-based training, particularly in underserved communities. Ask your U.S. Senators and Representatives to support this bill!

On the road to employment

Familial caregivers serve multiple roles during the employment journey of autistic loved ones: With just 1 in 5 people with disabilities, including those with autism, being employed, despite having the desire and skillset to work, it's no surprise that many caregivers choose to be involved in helping their adult children or siblings find and maintain fulfilling jobs. In these blogs, you'll meet Joanna and her mom, Lisa, and Andrew and his brother, Tom. You'll get a firsthand look at how these families came together to make meaningful employment a reality. 

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Give Freely is an online shopping assistant, automatically finding discount coupons whenever you shop online. It’s free to use, and costs you absolutely nothing when you buy stuff. And if Give Freely finds a coupon… all of that savings goes to you! 

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