Author: Drina Fernandes | September 24th 2022
I am Drina one of the Family Advisors with Team Sethu. I wanted to say hello and encourage parents to reach out to me in Konkani or English with any questions you may have about life on the spectrum with your child. Being a mum of a young person with ASD, and being a Sethu client for many years thus understanding how Sethu works I am perfectly placed for this role! I want to share what I have learned to help other parents on their journey along the spectrum.
So, what does a Sethu Family Advisor do?
The role is so diverse, it includes the following:
Get in touch with parents who have recently received an autism diagnosis for their child.
Listen to parents’ questions and their concerns, reassuring them that they are not alone.
Connecting parents with other families of other autistic children via Sethu Parent Forum on ASD.
Observing and getting trained to conduct the fantastic webinar, ‘Agle Kadam’ for the parents whose children have been recently diagnosed with ASD. This webinar introduces parents to the concept of ASD, and encourages them to express their feelings after the child’s diagnosis. We share links to tried and tested videos that help parents understand their child on the spectrum in a better way.
Provide information on various programmes for autism intervention that is available at Sethu.
Personally, I will provide local language – Konkani – support during Sethu English webinars on ASD.
Interacting with parents visiting Sethu, understanding the challenges they encounter, and extending support to them in whatever way possible to help relieve some of the stress they may be feeling.
Share my personal experience as a parent whenever required, many of the ‘first’ new parents face, I have already been through and have a unique insight to the world of ASD in Goa.
Action feedback from parents of their experiences at Sethu and act as a bridge between parents and Team Sethu.
Provide information to the parents regarding the various certificates and cards issued to children with disabilities by the government. Explaining the benefits prerequisites and procedures to be followed to gain them.
To facilitate regular parent and family meet-ups.
Organise body movement therapy like dance and yoga for parents and siblings.
Getting an autism diagnosis can be very stressful for parents, you need all the support you can get as you start this new journey. The Sethu Family Advisors are here for YOU!
Parents are welcome to reach out to me [email protected] or [email protected]– we welcome feedback and suggestions on Sethu’s current services and how together we can help provide new and researched based services for our children and timely necessary support for parents.