As a larger percentage of families have both parents working, and childcare becomes more expensive and inaccessible, grandparents play an increasingly important role in caring for their grandchildren. Grandparents play an important role in raising autistic children. More than ever, Grandparents can be seen at school pick-up and extracurricular activities, providing support to their grown-up children. These grandparents are invested and interested in being a part of their grandchildren’s lives. They often report that it is just as rewarding for them as much as for their grandchildren.
Grandparent involvement
Autism Connect, a free, national autism helpline, providing independent and expert information over phone, email and webchat, has also noticed this trend. They have received a growing number of calls from grandparents looking to support their Autistic grandchildren. There has been such an interest that an information sheet has been created. This resource is specifically for Grandparents: An introduction to autism for grandparents. Autism Connect encourages and supports grandparents who wish to call the Autism Connect helpline for information. They can offer and suggestions advice on how best to support their Autistic grandchildren.
Safe relationship
Autistic children thrive on routine and familiarity, which is true for the people they spend time with. Grandparents, like the child’s parents, love them unconditionally. Because of this it provides another safe relationship wherein Autistic kids can practise their general skills. Spending time with their grandparents also gives children a simple, mutual topic for them to speak about with other kids at school. Hence it is a helpful way to connect with others. In addition, if Autistic children help their grandparents with various tasks when they spend time together, this could also assist in developing a work ethic and day living skills such as cooking and cleaning.
More than respite
Raising an Autistic child brings both wonderful and challenging moments. Everyone benefits when grandparents can offer respite. The bonus is the ability to spend quality time with their grandchild. With the benefit of playing this pivotal role in the role of assisting parents in raising their autistic children. Parents can have time to recharge, and the grandparents can nurture their relationship with their grandchild. As people who have raised children before, they have wisdom and insights. Because of this they can draw on to teach their grandchild about the world.
Another advocate
As grandparents become more involved with their Autistic grandchildren and better understand how to support them, they become important advocates in the wider world. If you don’t have grandparents close by your family, don’t despair. You may have an older neighbour or friend willing to step into the role. The more cohorts of people who can empathise and champion the rights of the Autistic community, the better for Autistic individuals everywhere. This is particularly pertinent for older generations who would have grown up when autism was seen to have negative connotations or was not spoken about at all.
Narelle McCrae, an Autism Connect Advisor, says that when people receive their child’s diagnosis, “It can be confronting, overwhelming [and] place additional pressure on families and relationships. With the support of grandparents, this diagnosis can be navigated with more ease and confidence”
