Counselling for parents

Hi Amanda, I too am the mother of a 10 year old high functioning child, who was only diagnosed with ASD at the turn of 2014. For me the diagnosis wasn't particular helpful in that I suppose I was really oblivious as to many of his difficulties as they were mostly associated to the school environment and until his recent change of schooll other tHan them saying he needed to learn to manage his emotions the word autism was never mentioned. There is a level of obvious elation in that my son had struggled throughout all of his school life and finally for him things were about to become easier due to people now understandubg his needs and actually supporting him fully. I have also spent a lot of time reading and attendin courses to help me gain an understanding but even now I often find myself being baffled at trying yto understand a condition that i suppose differs so vastly across the specturm and as a consequence I often feel dismayed by the end of it all. I as a parent has and continues to question why I didn't notice the signs earlier and I suffer with guilt at the thought of the anxiety he has suffered throughout his life and may continue to suffer in the future. I wish I could wrap him up in cotton wool to prevent any future pain that he may feel as he grows and develops. I'm anxious about the transition from primary to secondary school and fear for him knowing his own aniexry  is likely to be unmeasurable . Whilst I know he still has a future, one which can be positive and bright and if surrounded by the right people  his anxieties can be minimised and supported, however even now I find myself worrying about what will be in the future , especially if I am not around to make sure it goes as well as possible . I do feel counselling services would be beneficial as whlst I still feel some grief for the 'expected' life for my son, my fears for his future are unfortunately  far greater. 

Hi Amanda, I too am the mother of a 10 year old high functioning child, who was only diagnosed with ASD at the turn of 2014. For me the diagnosis wasn't particular helpful in that I suppose I was really oblivious as to many of his difficulties as they were mostly associated to the school environment and until his recent change of schooll other tHan them saying he needed to learn to manage his emotions the word autism was never mentioned. There is a level of obvious elation in that my son had struggled throughout all of his school life and finally for him things were about to become easier due to people now understandubg his needs and actually supporting him fully. I have also spent a lot of time reading and attendin courses to help me gain an understanding but even now I often find myself being baffled at trying yto understand a condition that i suppose differs so vastly across the specturm and as a consequence I often feel dismayed by the end of it all. I as a parent has and continues to question why I didn't notice the signs earlier and I suffer with guilt at the thought of the anxiety he has suffered throughout his life and may continue to suffer in the future. I wish I could wrap him up in cotton wool to prevent any future pain that he may feel as he grows and develops. I'm anxious about the transition from primary to secondary school and fear for him knowing his own aniexry  is likely to be unmeasurable . Whilst I know he still has a future, one which can be positive and bright and if surrounded by the right people  his anxieties can be minimised and supported, however even now I find myself worrying about what will be in the future , especially if I am not around to make sure it goes as well as possible . I do feel counselling services would be beneficial as whlst I still feel some grief for the 'expected' life for my son, my fears for his future are unfortunately  far greater.