Processing Emotions After an Autism Diagnosis with a Child 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 2:
Session Focus
Making space for grief, uncertainty, and the many emotions that can accompany an autism diagnosis.
Session Purpose
Receiving an autism diagnosis for your child can bring a wide range of feelings, sometimes all at once. Parents may experience sadness, confusion, worry, relief, uncertainty, or emotions that seem difficult to explain. This session offers a compassionate, judgment-free environment where parents and caregivers can acknowledge and explore these experiences without feeling the need to have everything figured out.
Participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences, listen to others, and recognize that complicated or conflicting emotions can be a natural part of adjusting to a new understanding of their child.
Session Objectives
By the end of this session, each family will be encouraged to identify and express difficult emotions while practicing self-compassion and openness. Participants will leave with greater awareness that they do not have to navigate these feelings alone and that seeking support from a child therapist in Overland Park, KS or family therapist in Overland Park, KS can be an additional resource when needed..