Practical Tips for Helping Families Reduce Stress

Filmed May 2020

Parents of children with developmental disabilities experience higher levels of stress than parents of typically developing children. During the current pandemic, these feelings of stress have been further heightened for the many parents who are getting few breaks as they care for their children. In this webinar, a structured discussion between Dr. Fawcett and Dr. Anthony Bailey, Susan will provide some practical tips and strategies to help parents reduce their stress, including a discussion of the importance of self-care, cognitive reframing strategies, and a mindfulness practice.

This webinar is relevant to parents with children of all ages who have developmental disabilities of varying types (e.g., autism, Down syndrome).

Presenters

Susan Fawcett, PhD, RSLP
Director of Therapy, Behaviour & Family Support at the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation

Anthony Bailey, M.D., Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of British Columbia

Supplemental Resources:

Practical Tips for Helping Families Reduce Stress Handout


Video Sponsor

The production of this video has been sponsored by the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration in Autism (CIRCA) at the University of British Columbia.


ACT is gathering information to support families during the COVID-19 crisis, including resources specific to those who are neuro-diverse and useful general resources. Our COVID-19 Resources page will be updated as new resources come in.

More videos from ACT’s COVID-19 educational learning live stream series

Many parents of children with diverse learning needs are feeling particularly pressured to keep up educational programs during this crisis, even though they have little support to do so. This is increasing stress on many overwhelmed families. This conversation between two school psychologists and a child psychiatrist will focus on the practical, to reassure families on how formal and informal learning can happen on the home front.

Video &
Resources

COVID-19 has profoundly heightened anxiety in the autism community internationally. Our
families and organizations are struggling to provide a stable environment for children,
youth and adults with autism spectrum disorder. Able adults with ASD are also feeling the
strain. ACT has invited three respected mental health clinicians, who have presented for ACT
on autism and mental health, to answer questions on ‘Anxiety and COVID-19’.

Video &
Resources