Letting Go of Perfect Parenting While Raising a Child with Autism: Family Therapist in Kansas
Event Description:
Raising a child with autism can involve coordinating support from many different people—teachers, medical professionals, speech and occupational therapists, behavioral specialists, and others. Parents and caregivers are often the ones bringing all of these pieces together while also providing the day-to-day care, encouragement, and advocacy their child needs.
Yet caregivers need support, too.
Parents Need A Herd Too is an online support group for parents and caregivers of children with autism who want a place to connect with people who truly understand their experiences. The group provides an opportunity to talk openly about the emotional ups and downs of parenting, discover ways to care for yourself while caring for your child, and develop supportive relationships with other parents navigating similar experiences.
Target Audience:
Parents or couples who are the primary caregivers of a child between the ages of 2 and 18 with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder are welcome to participate.
Dates & Times:
Week 1: Wednesday, October 14th, 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Week 2: Wednesday, October 21st, 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Week 3: Wednesday, October 28th, 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Week 4: Wednesday, November 4th, 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Week 5: Wednesday, November 11th, 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Week 6: Wednesday, November 18th, 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Week 7: Wednesday, December 2nd, 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Week 8: Wednesday, December 9th, 2026 from 6:30pm to 7:45pm
Location:
Online via HIPAA Compliant Platform
Pricing:
$30 per family for the entire 8 week series, due upon registration
Facilitator Information:
This group will be led by Maiya Strain, a student therapist at MidAmerica Nazarene University and Tawna Cuzzort, student therapist from Capella Univeristy.
Week 3:
Session Focus
Challenging unrealistic ideas about what it means to be a “perfect” parent and recognizing the strengths already present in each caregiver.
Session Purpose
Parents and caregivers can easily feel pressure to do everything right, especially when parenting a child with unique needs and navigating the many responsibilities that come with autism. This session invites participants to examine where their expectations of “perfect parenting” come from and consider whether those expectations are realistic, helpful, or necessary.
Rather than focusing on getting everything right, participants will explore what it means to be a present, responsive, and caring parent while allowing room for mistakes, growth, and self-compassion. This perspective can be especially valuable for families who may also be considering family therapy in Overland Park, KS as they work toward greater understanding and connection.
Session Objectives
During this session, parents will participate in an activity designed to uncover their personal assumptions and expectations about what a “perfect parent” should look like. Participants will then identify and celebrate their own parenting strengths, abilities, and efforts, with an emphasis on recognizing what they are already doing well.