Parenting a Child with ASD or ADHD: You don't have to do it alone.

Parenting a neurodivergent child brings a unique blend of love, frustration, creativity and exhaustion. You're doing your best, often with little guidance, too much judgement, and not enough support.

Some days you feel proud of how far your child has come, and other days you feel like you're barely holding it together. that doesn't make you a bad parent, it makes you human.

Whether your child has recently been diagnosed or you've been in this space for a while, it's common to feel isolated. Even well-meaning friends or professionals can miss the mark when offering advice that doesn't work in your reality, or when your child's needs don't fit neatly into the school system or parenting books, it's easy to feel like you're doing everything "wrong", even though you know, you're working harder than most.

Parenting a neurodivergent child often means being a translator, advocate, and buffer - sometimes all at once. You might find yourself constantly explaining your child's needs to schools, doctors, or extended family. You anticipate meltdowns before they happen. You notice things others miss, and when your child is misunderstood, you feel it deeply.

This constant vigilance takes a toll. Studies show that parents of children with ASD and/or ADHD are at a higher risk of burnout, anxiety, and even trauma related symptoms (Hastings & Brown, 2002; Theule et al., 2013). It's not because you're not coping, it's because you're carrying too much for too long, without enough support.

The Guilt that no-one talks about; Guilt shows up in so many ways. Guilt for losing your patience, for not doing enough, for not knowing what to do, for taking a break, or even just wanting to. These thoughts are common, but they're not always true.

Sometimes guilt also comes from feeling like you're not enjoying parenting the way others seem to. That's okay too. Joy and struggle can co-exist. you're allowed to feel both, and neither one cancels the other out.

You're likely doing far more that you give yourself credit for, and needing rest or support doesn't make you weak. It makes you a regular person with limits, just like everyone else.

How Counselling can help you breathe again; talking to someone outside your situation can help you process the emotional load without judgement. In counselling, there's space to be honest, not just about parenting, but about how you're doing underneath it all.

You don't need advice or behaviour charts shoved at you. You need someone to hear what you're carrying, help you sort through it, and figure out what support looks like for you & your family, instead of being expected to just fit into what's written in a textbook.

Parent-focused therapy can reduce stress, improve emotional regulation and strengthen your sense of confidence (Singer, 2006). More importantly, it can help you feel less alone - and that can make all the difference.

You're doing one of the hardest jobs in the world, often without enough recognition. You don't have to do it all by yourself. If you're tired, overwhelmed, or just need a space to be heard, no judgement, no pressure, just real support for the person doing their best every day; Book an appointment with me at Supportive Life Counselling today.