Parent's Aspirations Group
Group Mission Statement
The Parent’s Aspiration group meets weekly for parents to share their experiences and resources, of a raising a young adult Asperger’s syndrome and related complex conditions that make life challenging. As our young adults are empowered by their group experience, the parents will find ways to help them transition into an adult world and use their potential to be as susccessful as possible. After the 8-week program is complete, parents join other parents in the monthly parent support group. The parent’s group time is the same time as the young adult’s group time.
Aims of Aspirations Parent Support Group
1. To provide an opportunity for parents to share their previous experiences, the achievements and challenges they have been through while raising their child on the autism spectrum. Many parents find it very therapeutic to simply discuss issues with others who can understand what it is like to raise a child on the autism spectrum.
2. To provide an opportunity for parents to share information regarding resources in the community (e.g. special programs available, professionals in the area etc.), and ways of overcoming obstacles their child faces (e.g. learning to drive, going to college, moving out of home etc.).
3. To provide an individualized curriculum useful to the parents of each group. Each new group of parents will decide their own 8-week curriculum for topics which would be useful for them to discuss, although previous curriculums are available and can also be used. When necessary and possible, outside speakers can be arranged to talk to the parents about specific topics which would be beneficial.
Group Rules
1. Personal information shared with-in the group is confidential to the group members. It is okay though to share general information and resources outside this group.
2. As with any group, it is important for parents to try to remain on topic and not dominate the group discussion. This is because everyone in the group needs to have the opportunity to share and time is limited. Also, please try to focus on experiences and topics which other parents in the group may also find useful to discuss.
3. Parents, older siblings, or significant others only may attend the group. All others are welcome to stay in the waiting area.
4. Parents are encouraged to contact each other outside the group time, and to encourage their young adults to meet outside of Aspirations, if they wish.