Supporting parent wellbeing and children with autism
Meet Lydia
I started Still Place Parents’ Club for two reasons:
I believe supporting parent wellbeing and mental health is very important because it directly affects our happiness and how we respond to and raise our children.
I believe there is still a significant lack of support for children and young people with autism and their families.
When I had my children, I found the complete and utter change to my life hard to process and my mental health suffered.
But when I looked for support in parent groups, I found that the overriding culture was that parents were unwilling to openly share what was hard for fear of being viewed as a failure, or being judged by other parents.
I want to create welcoming groups that focus solely on parent wellbeing and mental health so that parents have a space in which they feel supported in a relaxed and non-judgemental setting, using writing and discussion to explore and process the difficult and the wonderful.
I also want to make sure that children and young people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have a safe and friendly space to come and meet similar children, enjoy activities, learn new things and socialise, while their parents can also focus on their own wellbeing and needs.
About Still Place Parents’ Club
Speaking to lots of parents made me realise how many mums and dads were struggling with aspects of parenthood, with little or no support, and it having a huge impact on their wellbeing, mental health and capacity to parent effectively.
I believe that if we don’t prioritise our own wellbeing and mental health, raising our children becomes much harder.
Ignoring our own needs teaches our children that when you’re finding something hard, you shouldn’t seek help. Not prioritising ourselves in the wake of the constant demands of family life will in turn compromise our relationships and our capacity to respond effectively to the relentlessly chaotic and unexpected in parenting, and our ability to appreciate the wonderful experiences as well.
Having children changes everything about life. The adjustment is immeasurable: we all find it hard in similar and different ways and we all need support and community.
If your child is diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a new dimension of challenge is introduced. Understanding and awareness of autism is increasing, but it is still fairly poor across most sectors (most worryingly in schools), which can lead to children and their parents feeling isolated and anxious.
Specialist groups and tutoring for children & young people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder
Still Place Parents’ Club offers parent, child and young person groups for children and young people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Through teaching and volunteering in groups, I have considerable experience of working with children and young people with an ASD, and supporting parents of children with autism.
Children with an ASD are all different - it’s a huge spectrum and a child with an ASD may have separate additional needs as well, making parenting and understanding the developmental path of children more difficult. ASD can also present with more challenging behaviours, which can affect parent mental health. It can feel very confusing and isolating.
Still Place Parents’ Club offers specialised groups to support the mental health of parents raising children with an ASD and to provide a safe space for children to have fun, enjoy activities and to explore social experiences and make friends.
All activities are specially designed and there is no pressure to participate for both children and adults; sometimes just being present and meeting likeminded people is helpful.
School can be a very challenging place for children and young people with autism. From finding the social side of school hard to managing a busy day and even how bright the lighting can be, schools are often not equipped to successfully support autistic children and young people.
Lydia offers tutoring to help support learning and the social wellbeing of children with autism as well.
Qualifications:
BA Hons English Literature
Counselling Skills Levels 1 & 2
Psychology Level 2
PGCE in English (teaching in both primary and secondary settings)
10+ years running creative writing and support groups with vulnerable adults
Significant experience with children, young people and adults with an ASD
Making Life Easier
Dip in and out as it suits you and your family
No block booking required
Groups support both children with an ASD and parent wellbeing
A dual approach ensures families are supported
Bring more than one child if it’s the only way you can attend
Being able to attend is the priority
Online group options
Available for support and creative writing groups