The new study by healthtech Genial Care reveals that insecurity and concerns about the future are constant among families dealing with childhood autism, regardless of their socioeconomic status. In response to these daily difficulties, 68% of caregivers report not having enough time for personal rest. To offer support, Andreia Silva , who has experience as a mother and professional in the field of mental health, launches the book “Além do Autismo”, a work that promises to be a practical guide full of tools and techniques to help fathers and mothers of children on the autism spectrum to find a balance between caring for their child and themselves.
Everyday Challenges: In the book “Além do Autismo”, you mention the search for balance for parents of children with autism. What are the most common challenges parents face on a daily basis?
There are the challenges of acceptance, firstly, accepting that the child needs a specific perspective. Many people take a long time to move from the denial phase to acceptance, as people make comments that make it difficult to accept that the child needs special care, such as: “The child is out of time, you’re exaggerating!” or “He doesn’t look autistic!”, among others. Therefore, seeking help from experts to identify what is present is essential and, if proven, have a report. There are also everyday challenges, those that parents don’t know how to deal with, what to do in common situations, whether their child is testing their limits or whether they actually need help. In most situations, parents are the key point between the child and the therapists, and thus, they are responsible for many details. You have to be very careful when dealing with them, and this requires a lot of patience and tolerance from the adults involved.
Emotional Support: Emotional support is one of the pillars of your work. What are some techniques or practices you recommend to help caregivers deal with the stress and emotions associated with childhood autism?
Anxiety, fears of how things will be, often haunt the lives of many fathers, mothers and caregivers of children with ASD. The quest to have control of the situation is continuous. However, life teaches us that we have no control over anything. Quite the contrary, when we feel anxious, stress comes to the surface, and this only harms life. Therefore, looking at the situation as an observer, not judging, knowing how to listen and interpret, believing in the potential that exists in each person, having adaptability, resilience, seeking to improve oneself and being the best version of oneself, living in the now, helps to deal with unique challenges that ASD can present. Self-motivate yourself by practicing what brings you well-being. Believing, focusing and persisting is essential. And, above all, look at life as a gift.
Practical Tips: What kind of practical tips for staying calm and balanced do you cover in your book? Are there any strategies that have been particularly effective for you and your family?
I believe that, in addition to organization, planning and establishing priorities, tips that I bring in the book, breathing techniques are fundamental for me. Through them, I can expel what bothers me and stay balanced. I taught this to my daughters, so that when anxiety and irritability are present, they use the breathing techniques, which I mention in the book. I also believe that quieting the mind is a very effective way to get out of the mental agitation that we often see. And also , practicing an activity that involves well-being significantly helps to maintain a lighter life. I practice circular dancing, which brings many benefits, above all, leaving me balanced to deal with the different situations that arise daily.
Time for Self-Care: According to the study “Portraits of Autism in Brazil in 2023”, 68% of caregivers reported difficulties in finding time for rest and self-care. How does your book address this issue and what do you suggest for balancing the needs of the caregiver with those of the child?
Cultivating self-love, looking at yourself, at the person who exists without the figure of being a mother/father is fundamental to maintaining balance in relationships. Taking time for self-care is essential, because when we are well, we pass on peace of mind to our little ones. As I say in the book: “Don’t underestimate your child, because he sees right through you. He may not express it, he may not show it, but in many cases he deciphers it better than you can.” So, self-awareness, analyzing situations as an observer, establishing limits and focusing on solutions rather than problems helps to balance the relationship.
The IAP Method: You created the IAP method — Identify, Act, and Practice. Can you explain to us how it works and how caregivers can apply it in the context of childhood autism?
The method is based on the need to identify what needs to be addressed, to act appropriately and put solutions into practice. So, firstly, have a report identifying what level of support the child is on, and with that, provide the therapies and care they need. Practicing care and love in all situations, whether good or bad, is fundamental. The child, whether verbal or non-verbal, needs to be heard and understood. Don’t ignore it! Valuing each achievement, celebrating victories, are important practices to get the best out of it. Remembering that autistic children have several ways of expressing themselves, being open to adapting to their needs and maintaining this care is fundamental.

Planning and Organization: How can families organize themselves to deal with autism, without sacrificing emotional well-being? What are the main recommendations for maintaining a balanced routine?
Creating an organized routine is essential to have a light and healthy life, in my opinion. The process can be challenging, but with discipline it is possible to plan so that day-to-day tasks and operational issues are aligned, such as pick-up and drop-off, meals, activities, etc. In my case, my daughter likes to draw her routine for her to follow, from when she wakes up, like a very detailed step by step, and this helps her carry out small tasks, so she doesn’t get lost in time, something which happens frequently. So, detailing the tasks, having a calm place to carry out activities, planning extra time in case an incident happens and the child does not feel pressured, contributes greatly to the organization of the routine. Whenever possible, delegating tasks and using organization tools, such as planners , for example, can help a lot too.
Understanding Child Behavior: Parents often have questions about how to interpret and deal with challenging behaviors. What advice would you give to better understand the needs of children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)?
Children with ASD need to be heard and understood. They see the world in a unique way and several possibilities pass through their minds. Connect, identify what motivates them and always try to act in a different way when something is not working. By repeating actions that displease them, they can be intolerant and aggressive. Having discernment and doing things differently to get a different result helps to identify what and how to do to get the best version of them. It’s like I quote in the book “Reading our children requires patience, tolerance, practice and constancy”. Raising people who are secure in who they are and confident in what they want brings rewards for parents.
Personal and Professional Experience: You have a career in Business Administration and Finance, and also personal experience as a mother of an atypical child. How do these two experiences combine to inspire the content of your book?
For a long time I didn’t know how to deal with my daughter’s issues. I felt alone and helpless. So, after many attempts at how to do it, I decided to apply administration solutions to organize the family routine. And it worked. I implemented weekly plans at home, listing priorities and reviewing strategies from time to time. This helped us to have a lighter life. Allocating our time well, taking into account personal, professional and family needs brings relief, security and predictability. Of course, unforeseen events happen, but being well and confident makes us more tolerant and helps us to be more adaptable. These are the tools and strategies that I present in the book.
Family Balance: How can parents and caregivers maintain balance within the family environment, ensuring that everyone receives the attention and care they need? What strategies do you suggest to maintain a harmonious environment?
Having fluid communication, praising each other’s skills and competencies, celebrating achievements no matter how simple they may be and having the habit of praising each other contributes significantly to maintaining harmony in the family relationship. The dedication of those responsible for the child must be balanced, so that it does not overload just one of the parties. Cultivating a loving relationship, reserving time as a couple, not living solely for your child or work, and allowing yourself to be happy, will contribute to the well-being of the family in general. Knowing how to listen to others, practice gratitude and highlight the good things in life allows you to have good moments with lightness and quality. Everything is cyclical and, therefore, cultivate good vibrations, raising the frequency so that everyone has moments of peace and tranquility.
Positive View of ASD: Your book encourages a more positive view of autism, despite the challenges. How do you suggest parents maintain this positive outlook over time? Are there any inspiring stories you can share to illustrate this?
I believe we are here to evolve and be better. Many adult traumas originate in childhood. Being able to contribute in a way to prevent this from happening makes us a better human being. I put this in the book through my trajectory. It wasn’t easy for me at any point, I had a lot of doubts, I didn’t know how to act. But I was aware that victimizing myself would not be the solution. All people go through difficulties, each to a different degree. So, I went in search of how to have a lighter life and get the best out of myself and my daughter. I couldn’t let ASD turn our lives into a disorder. I think it is essential to have a humanized view of differences and praise each step, celebrate each achievement of our children and keep in mind that they are very special. By acting like this, we will build a future with worthy people, confident in being who they are, valuing them to do things differently to obtain different results. If this is transmitted with love to them, everyone’s path will be light and happy.
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