According to the CDC, parents who are raising children with autism tend to have higher levels of stress and anxiety than parents raising typically developing kids. The data makes sense when you think about how much energy it takes to regularly advocate for your child, to constantly look out for their safety, to help them regulate their emotions—even when yours feel off the rails—and to do it all while maintaining calm. It can be exhausting and downright scary at times.

It’s in these hard moments when the power of encouragement and support goes a long way. A simple “yeah, me too” brings comfort, and you never know when that one idea or resource shared becomes a game-changer. While we cannot quantify these moments, we can confidently affirm their value. At Sierra Behavioral Therapy, we would go so far as to say they are life-changing and absolutely worth it.