An open letter to family & friends...
Dear family & friends
Chers parents & amis
Are you one of the many grandparents or extended family members who are struggling to understand the mystery of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
Do you have so many questions but don’t want to burden your loved one for answers?
Do you want to help but are not sure how to?
You are not alone!
Our chapter would like to develop a social opportunity just for grandparents and extended family members to meet to learn more about this condition, discuss your concerns, celebrate your loved one's accomplishments, etc. Please contact us at autismcornwall@gmail.com with Grandparents/Extended Family in the subject line.
Information for Grandparents
12 Ways to Make a Difference for Your Grandchild with Autism
Kinship Families
"Kinship care" is defined as the placement of a child in the home of the child's relative or in the home of another adult with whom the child or the child's parent already has a close emotional attachment.
Kinship families include grandparents who have custody of their grandchildren or are in the process of obtaining custody of their grandchildren. 58% of kinship families consist of a single grandmother, raising one or two grandchildren with special needs, including autism spectrum disorders. For more information:
● CANGRANDS National Kinship Support: a non-profit organization that exists to provide support, education and empowerment to grandparents who are raising grandchildren (as well as other family members caring for their extended family)
● 100 Huntley Street broadcast with a focus on kinship families (September 2008)
"CANGRANDS"
filmed at CANGRANDS Annual Conference & Camp-out
Note: the broadcast is 60 minutes in length; the CANGRANDS report can be found between the 13:46 to 24.40 minute marks
● W-FIVE documentary about kinship families (February 2008):
"Parent Again"
Part 1 (video 9:53 minutes)
Part 2 (video 9:48 minutes)
Article
● CBC Radio documentary about kinship families (September 2007):
"Call Me Nana"
The Upper Canada Chapter would like to thank the Durham and London Chapters for sharing this information.