Counseling

Parent Counselling

Panhellenic Association for Adapted Activities – ALMA provides parent counselling for children with autism and/or intellectual disability. Parents of children with disabilities experience new experiences and challenges, in which we are beside them as companions.

The aims of the counselling work may be many, but are customized and adapted for each family depending on their needs:

– One of the first steps for parents of children with disabilities is to understand the autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual disability, and what it entails.

– Accepting the diagnosis by the parents and working through their own painful emotions (such as sadness, anger, guilt, fear, anxiety, disappointment, despair) is a large and difficult “chapter”, which requires particular support.

– The recognition and understanding of the child’s difficulties, as well as their strengths and potentials.

– Empowering parents in supporting the child’s non-verbal and verbal communication, social skills and relationships with peers, daily living skills, self-care and autonomy.

– Strengthening the organization of daily life and stabilizing the family environment.

– Finding effective ways to manage the child’s dysfunctional behaviours (stereotypies, impulsivity, hyperactivity, attention‐deficit, aggression, self‐injury).

– Enhancing good cooperation of the parents with the professionals providing the therapeutic interventions for the child, so that the child’s education continues at home in an appropriate way and the generalization of skills worked on in the various settings is reinforced.

The program is conducted on our premises, while frequency and duration are determined according to the needs and possibilities of the family.

Sibling Counselling

“Sibling groups” form a very important part of the therapeutic intervention in the family of children and adolescents with autism.

Siblings of individuals with autism often face situations which are difficult for a child to handle. They need sufficient information throughout their lives, as they often experience social and emotional exclusion.

At the same time, they wish and strive to develop positive relationships with their siblings with a disorder and to choose the role they will play in the future care of their sibling.

The program aims to:

– provide correct information and awareness to siblings regarding their brother/sister’s difficulty

– support and encourage them to deal with the difficulties arising from the interaction and co-living of the siblings

– discuss their concerns about the future of the sibling with difficulties

The methods used in the “sibling groups” include experiential exercises, discussion, practical guidance and dynamic intervention.

The program is conducted once a week on our premises and is addressed to children over the age of 7 and adolescents who have siblings with autism. Children/adolescents are grouped according to their age.

Counseling

The Programs

Parent Counselling

Sibling Counselling

Interested in the program?