Parenting is tough, and research shows that parents of children with autism and other developmental disabilities may experience increased levels of stress.
"Parents often have challenges related to the child's challenges with self-regulation, social and communication skills," explained Abirami Duraiswamy, a patient navigator at the UC Davis MIND Institute. Duraiswamy is also a co-facilitator for "GET MINDFUL," a MIND Institute online self-care and support group for parents of autistic children and those with other developmental disabilities.
"We as parents also have the responsibility of advocacy. Navigating the service system is probably one of the most difficult things parents face in their lifetimes," Duraiswamy added.
She notes that all of this makes self-care, self-compassion and support especially important for parents. A regular mindfulness practice is one way to build resilience.
In this Q&A, Duraiswamy shares some tips for building mindful awareness into our everyday lives.
