Introducing the Unnamed Victims of Autism: Parents

Baltimore, MD, April 25, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Over the last decade the number of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has risen at an alarming rate. According to the Autism Society of America 1 out of 150 children will be diagnosed with a form of ASD. In response to this, many great organizations and programs have been created to aid parents in the care of their children. Until now there have been limited resources to help the parents care for themselves.

The physical and emotional effects of stress have been documented for years, but according to Gene Monterastelli, stress management expert, ASD parents face particular challenges when it comes to dealing with stress. "Because of the 24/7 nature of the care that most children diagnosed with ASD requires, parents face a very unique challenge in the amount of stress they face in their daily lives. In addition to demands of taking care of their Autistic child there is a great deal of stress created by having to constantly be explaining about and advocating for their child to teachers, doctors, and even family and friends. Always needing to fight for their children places extra stress into the lives of ASD parents."

According to Gene, managing this stress is critical for ASD parents. "It is imperative for everyone to spend a little time each day doing stress management because of the short and long term health benefits associated with stress management. It is doubly important for ASD parents because if a parent is healthy and stress free they are going to be able to provide better care for their autistic children."

Reducing stress is an easy task. John Roedel reported, "as a father of an autistic child I had found myself near a breaking point due to all of the extra stress in my life. I was surprised to find how my quality of life improved once I started to manage my own stress. Spending just a few minutes a day on caring for myself has helped me to be more present to all my children and made me a better father."

The ASD Parents Support Network has created a free 14 lesson stress management class designed specify for parents of autistic children. The class includes audios, videos, and articles that teach how to reduce the stress that is already present and prevent future stress. Parents can sign up for the class free of charge at http://ASDParentSupportNetwork.com

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Gene Monterastelli, the co-founder of the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Parent Support Network (ASDParentSupportNetwork.com), is a Baltimore based stress management expert. He is a fellow of The American Institute of Stress and is trained in hypnosis, EFT, guided imagery, and other stress management techniques.

For further information or to schedule an interview call 866-698-2739. Members of the press can find more information online at http://ASDParentSupportNetwork.com/presskit