This June, I had the opportunity to read one of the most insightful parenting books I've come across—especially for families navigating life with autism. It inspired me to open up about something many of us experience but rarely talk about: the quiet, often unspoken grief that can accompany parenting a child with autism or other neurodivergent challenges.

This month, we conclude our exploration of an essential skill: coping strategies that support emotional regulation within families. In this final installment, I’ll share a recent personal experience and highlight several additional tools to help manage unhelpful thoughts effectively.

This month, we’re continuing our exploration of something foundational: coping tools to enhance emotional regulation within our families. Specifically, we’re focusing on the second aspect of coping—the cognitive side, which involves noticing, challenging, and replacing negative thoughts.

If you’ve experienced any level of weariness or stress during this season, amidst the joyous moments, I encourage you to take a moment to explore these research-backed coping strategies. These practices can help ease stress and improve emotional well-being for both you and your loved ones.