Family Support at The Autism Project
As parents and caregivers of autistic people, we know firsthand that access to high-quality information enables us to become better advocates and supports for our children. We also know that traditional parenting strategies often create even greater challenges for us, and for our children. Finding a group of people who share a common experience, learning from and supporting one another, helps to address the challenges – and amplify the joys – of raising and supporting our children.
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We get it because we live it.
Family Support Specialists
Family Support at The Autism Project is a combination of systems navigation, education, coaching, advocacy, and emotional support. Our Family Support Specialists (FSS) provide information and resources to help you support your child or the child you care for and a listening ear for all the highs, lows, and in-betweens. Your child may just be starting out in early intervention or may be navigating the world of adult services. No matter the stage in life, we are with you.
The Autism Project Family Support Team follows a peer-to-peer model; our FSS are doubly qualified as Certified Community Health Workers (CCHW) and parents of children on the spectrum.
Our Family Support Specialists represent various cultural and educational backgrounds. They have navigated the healthcare and education systems and sought out and utilized available resources. They understand the feelings of fear, uncertainty, and isolation that often follows a diagnosis, and know the value to connecting with others who have had similar experiences.
What can Family Support Specialists provide?
- Information and resources to empower you in your parenting or caregiving journey with your child with autism.
- Phone or face-to-face meetings, navigation, and coaching.
- Assistance with acquiring key resources, such as Medicaid, SSI, Home Based Therapeutic Services (HBTS), and Enhanced Outpatient Services.
- Accurate information about available services, programming and support in Rhode Island.
- Education through our training programs designed specifically for parents, such as Parent to Parent and A Starting Point.
- A supportive ear! Sometimes you just need to talk to someone who understands.
The Autism Project offers Parent to Parent, a five-week training series for parents of children newly diagnosed with autism. This series is offered several times per year in both English and Spanish.
