parent training

[Logan's Mom]

just wondering if anyone else out there feels like a complete idiot for having "parent training".  Of course i find her techniques useful, but feel like a dope for not knowing how to raise my ASD child.

[PNWmama]

Don't feel like a dope!  No one can do it all on their own.  I wish so badly that we had any type of "parent training" for parents of asd kids in my small community, but we don't. 

[SpottedFoxx]

Not at all!  My son's therapist said "80% of the world parents by the seat of their pants.  That's because that's the way their parents parented, and their parents parented, etc.  For most kids, that's fine - rarely does that work for special needs kids."  We need help!   Our kids aren't necessarily like us, or like our siblings so we have nothing to base our parenting on.  So... we have to find a new way.  Some of us do it by books, others by classes, others by therapists.  Our kids will be the better for it and I think we will too.  Give yourself a pat on the back for being a good parent by admitting you need help. 

[Emmeline II]

I agree with the pp. The reason we need training is because what our children need is outside our experience.

[AnalogWife]

We've never been offered Parent Training but my DS was in EI and it certainly felt as such.

[marge234]

Originally Posted by SpottedFoxx 

Not at all!  My son's therapist said "80% of the world parents by the seat of their pants.  That's because that's the way their parents parented, and their parents parented, etc.  For most kids, that's fine - rarely does that work for special needs kids."  We need help!   Our kids aren't necessarily like us, or like our siblings so we have nothing to base our parenting on.  So... we have to find a new way.  Some of us do it by books, others by classes, others by therapists.  Our kids will be the better for it and I think we will too.  Give yourself a pat on the back for being a good parent by admitting you need help. 

ITA.  I am not getting any structured "training" but feel fortunate to be learning from various therapists how to reach our little individual. I know what we're learning is making a difference in his life and will help him achieve his potential.  I do get frustrated when people who put up walls around their own parenting--they don't value "outside" information or help--question what we're doing.  If you feel good about the  training--that it's a good fit for you, is helping your child learn how to relate and communicate, etc...be proud.  There's certainly NOTHING to feel dopey about!