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My life was actually going well until my mom got cancer & died last year. (about 4 months ago by the time of me writing this) She was practically the full-time caregiver of my sister. And thus, I've been having to take care of her since. (I'm 19 & she's 23 but acts like a toddler) And in all honesty, she's very stressful to deal with due to her needing 24/7 supervision. I got fired from my part-time job (a retail position I held for about a year) due to missing too many shifts. I've also been… read more
Does your dad care for her as well? I assume you both live with him, but I could be wrong. That is a lot of responsibility at only 19. I know that it must be a lot to juggle, especially with school! I was still very much a kid at 19. I don't even feel much older than that now, at 42 ;) Perhaps if you had someone to share the responsibilities with, you could spend more quality time together and still have time to do what you need/want to do, too. This way, you wouldn't be as exhausted and you could enjoy time spent together.
The Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) offers a way to support families who need Habilitation and Attendant Care services for their child. If you are unable to find enough help from other providers, you can be paid to provide those services yourself.
Empowering Autistic Arizonans — Free Employment Services and Training for Families with Autism. Join our mission to create a world where everyone can thrive. Autism Resources. Autism Support.
Autism Speaks and the AZ Autism Society would provide other resources and support
AZA United offers individual, couples, and family psychotherapy & counseling services for individuals with autism and their family members.
https://www.azahcccs.gov/shared/asd.html
Arizona offers numerous resources for autism and mental health support, featuring organizations like Arizona Autism United (AZA United), which provides counseling, therapy, and diagnostic services for all ages. Major providers include Arizona Autism for pediatric therapyThe Mental Health Center of America for evaluations, and the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix for support groups.
Key Resources and Services in Arizona:
Comprehensive Evaluations: The Mental Health Center of America offers diagnostic evaluations for children aged 2-5.
Counseling & Therapy: AZA United provides psychotherapy for individuals and families, focusing on coping skills and self-esteem. CARD (Center for Autism and Related Disorders) offers ABA therapy.
Support & Community: The Autism Society of Greater Phoenix hosts monthly online 101 classes, support groups, and meetups.
Supportive Housing: First Place AZ in Phoenix assists adults with autism in increasing independence.
State Support: The AHCCCS ASD Advisory Committee provides resources and recommendations for autism services in Arizona.
Mental Health Focus
Autistic individuals are more likely to experience mental health challenges, making specialized support crucial. Services in Arizona often focus on managing anxiety, improving communication, and developing social skills to support overall mental wellness.
Talk to social worker and get her supported living accommodation or assisted living accommodation. My son is supported living accommodation and it has been really beneficial for him as he has 24 hr care and two or three carers looking after him all times.
How can you balance caring for your sister with autism while protecting your own mental health and future?
First, I'm truly sorry about your mom. Losing a parent while suddenly becoming a caregiver at 19 is an enormous burden that no one should face alone.
Your feelings are completely valid. Many siblings of people with Show Full Answer
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