Family support strategies and mental health promotion for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder in social vulnerability contexts

an experience report in Pará

Abstract

The study in question addressed parental support for families in situations of social vulnerability, emphasizing factors such as parental stress, anxiety, and de­pression. The initiative aimed to report the experiences of a group that worked di­rectly with these families, with actions focused on the assessment and promotion of mental health, under the guidance of Psychology students. In total, the study followed nine parents/caregivers of families with at least one child who attended the Psychology Clinic at UFPA. The actions of the work occurred in three stages: referral, assessment, and parental support. Participants faced stress due to the de­mands related to their children's routines, leading to the formation of discussion groups to offer parental support. Four mothers actively participated, sharing com­mon challenges in caring for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), such as emotional overload and lack of adequate support. Despite the high dropout rate in the meetings, the discussion groups proved effective in promoting mutual support and exchanging experiences among caregivers. Thus, the project played a crucial role in providing parental support, generating positive results for both the participants and their family system, as well as for the professionals involved.