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Real members of MyAutismTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Hello everyone. I'm a new member and I'm looking for parents of adult children newly diagnosed with level 1 Autism. My daughter is 32.

A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭
San Francisco, CA

My daughter lives at home with my husband and I and she finds noise, smells and new activities very stressful and draining. Right now I am struggling with her anger and frustration with her dad who has ADHD. He loves her but doesn't always express that well and I get in the middle of the two of them and feel very helpless and mentally exhausted. I was wondering how other parents deal with the daily ups and downs that an Autism Spectrum diagnosis adds to family life.

August 17
 · 
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A MyAutismTeam Member

You could try different things, like trips, gardening or teaching cooking or swimming. Activities to enjoy and so brings you closer together as family - even board games which you can get on amazon or ebay. There are even sports game on ebay which you might like to try at home

August 18
A MyAutismTeam Member

Welcome! 🙂 I'm 43 and diagnosed with ASD Level 1, plush ADHD, OCD, and anxiety. I still live at home, too. I currently hold 4 jobs in the human services field, as my passion is helping others! What are some of your daughter's interests?

August 19
A MyAutismTeam Member

Hi Brian. Thanks so much for such a comprehensive list and I will definitely look into those options. So far I've done lots of reading and web searching for information about my daughter's diagnosis, but this is the first platform that I'm trying. Unfortunately, I did reach out to Autism Speaks and emailed them but never received a return reply.
You're very helpful and again thanks!

August 18
A MyAutismTeam Member

Welcome to the Team

I looked up your area
Parents of adult children with autism in San Francisco can find community, advocacy, and peer support through dedicated local organizations like the Autism Society San Francisco Bay Area and Support for Families of Children with Disabilities, which offer specialized caregiver networks, educational events, and lifespan planning resources.Local Support and Advocacy NetworksAutism Society San Francisco Bay Area (SFASA): Focuses heavily on lifespan care options, housing solutions, and adult community events.Support for Families: Runs parent-to-parent support groups and free educational workshops tailored to navigating local disability services.Bay Area Autism Collective (BAAC): Provides peer support models and community spaces for autistic adults to combat post-school social isolation.Specialized Caregiver and Family GroupsOpen Doors Therapy: Offers specialized online parent support groups and neurodiverse care coordination focused on teens and adults.Regional Centers: Local resources like the Golden Gate Regional Center help coordinate adult services, supported living, and respite care options.
Autism Speaks and the Autism Society are great platforms and networking you can connect on multiple levels/people

https://sfautismsociety.org/support_groups/

https://www.php.com/parents-of-adults-with-deve...

https://www.php.com/parents-of-adults-with-developmental-disabilities/
https://www.php.com/parents-of-adults-with-developmental-disabilities/
Support Groups – Autism Society San Francisco Bay AreaToggle MenuFacebookTwitterYouTubeExpandExpandExpandExpandExpand
Support Groups – Autism Society San Francisco Bay AreaToggle MenuFacebookTwitterYouTubeExpandExpandExpandExpandExpand
https://sfautismsociety.org/support_groups/
August 18
MyAutismTeam

Parenting an adult child with Level 1 autism comes with its own unique set of challenges, especially around family dynamics. The good news is that many parents have found practical ways to cope and even thrive.

A key insight shared by many parents is knowing when to step in and when to step back. Helping too much can lead Show Full Answer

Parenting an adult child with Level 1 autism comes with its own unique set of challenges, especially around family dynamics. The good news is that many parents have found practical ways to cope and even thrive.

A key insight shared by many parents is knowing when to step in and when to step back. Helping too much can lead to "learned helplessness," where the adult child becomes overly dependent. Finding that balance is genuinely an art form.

Here are some strategies that parents have found helpful:

- Take care of yourself first — You can't pour from an empty cup. Whether it's exercise, therapy, hobbies, or even just a quiet walk, your wellbeing directly impacts your ability to support your child
- Nurture your relationship with your partner — Caregiving can quietly push romance to the backburner. Scheduling regular time together, even simple lunch dates, can make a big difference
- Check in with other family members — Siblings and partners may feel overlooked. Acknowledging their feelings and carving out dedicated time with them helps maintain healthy family bonds
- Connect with other parents — Talking with others who truly "get it" can ease feelings of isolation and provide practical advice
- Set boundaries around independence — Encouraging your adult child to experience natural consequences (within reason) helps build their independence over time One MyAutismTeam member shared that raising children with autism felt surprisingly natural because she deeply understood their struggles from her own experiences — but that advocating for them with schools and others was the hardest part, until it became second nature.

The phrase "calm parent, calm child" really does ring true. When parents manage their own stress and anxiety well, it creates a more stable and supportive environment for everyone in the family.

August 17

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