Holding It Together: Radical Self Care for Parents of Children With Hidden Needs

The much awaited follow up to ‘Getting It: Raising Kids With Hidden Disabilities’ which this time turns the focus to the needs of parents.When caring for a child with hidden needs, such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD or dyslexia, parents may be at breaking point, regardless of whether their child has a diagnosis.While loving and supporting their children as best they can, parents are exhausted by the battles they face, overwhelmed by the judgement of others and frustrated by how few people will listen.The child’s symptoms and behaviour may also be pushing them over the edge.It will come as no surprise that research shows that parents of children with hidden disabilities have the same level of stress hormones as combat soldiers. Like many parents in this situation, Naomi Simmons was desperate for help when she felt that she could not go on.Any advice seemed to be exclusively for the children.She therefore decided to research ways that parents of children with hidden needs can regain