There Are Things That Family Members And Friends Can Do To Help

• Reach out to parents - be willing to sometimes just listen.
  
• Offer to baby-sit so that parents can enjoy time to themselves or with their other children.
  

• Make phone calls for parents who may be looking for services - especially if both parents work and can't take time during the day.  Remember to accept the decision the parents come to - even if you did all the legwork and phone calls.
  
• Run errands for the parents who may be juggling several therapy sessions, appointments, meetings with their Child Study Team (CST), etc..
  
• Spend "alone" time with siblings of a child with autism; many times they feel left out or not as important.  Remind the sibling that he or she is special, too!
  
• Go with parents to Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, doctor's appointments, etc.
  
• Sometimes it's hard to take the focus off the child with autism and to view the family as important, but the entire family will benefit if everyone's social and emotional needs are met.  Encourage family to stay involved with the areas of their lives that are important to them such as church/temple, old friends, hobbies, etc.
  

• Offer to watch or help with the child (children) so the parents/family can go out to dinner or other fun activities with the family to help out.  Many parents simply stop going out to eat because it is too overwhelming without help.

The New Jersey Center for Outreach & Services for the Autism Community (COSAC)
1-800-4-AUTISM (N.J. only) or 609-883-8100
www.njcosac.org