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Why Join Us?

Parenting a child on the autism spectrum can be uniquely stressful. The Positive Adult Development (PAD) curriculum was developed as part of an intervention research study for stress reduction in parents of children with developmental disabilities at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center in Nashville, Tennessee. This series offers a safe, supportive space to move beyond "just getting by."

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Free Event

Join our 6-week journey for caregivers of people with autism.

Questions? Email conferences@yai.org

What You’ll Gain

  • Techniques from positive psychology to managing daily "small stressors" and major life events.
  • Connect with other parents who truly understand your experience.
  • Gain skills in advocacy, navigating service systems, and effective problem-solving.
  • Move from feelings of guilt, conflict, and fear toward forgiveness, collaboration, and confidence. 

Who

This series is open to all caregivers of people with autism. We invite anyone who can join us for the full 6-week journey. 

When

This supportive and engaging series, where parents learn through discussion, reflection, and practical exercises, will run on Zoom Thursdays from May 14 through June 18 from 12-1:30 pm ET

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THE 6 WEEK JOURNEY

Week 1

From Control to Letting Go

 Understanding stress and what is truly in our control.

Week 2

From Grief to Acceptance

Processing the loss of original dreams to find new hope.

Week 3

From Guilt to Forgiveness

Silencing "unhealthy guilt" and practicing self-compassion.

Week 4

From Conflict to Collaboration

Strategies for better advocacy and family harmony.

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Week 5

From Fear to Confidence

Building resilience and embracing the "dignity of risk." 

Week 6

From Pessimism to Optimism

Training your brain for a more positive, functional future.

Note: This group is an educational support program and is not a replacement for mental health services. 

Questions? Interested in an evening series? Email conferences@yai.org 

Group Leader: Tracy Kernan, LCSW has over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and families within the autism community. She is passionate about helping people find the right resources and feel less overwhelmed when navigating complex systems.  

This free series is supported in part by the NYC Council Autism Initiative


YAI respects that people choose to identify differently when it comes to their diagnosis. For our conference materials we have chosen to say, "people with autism" in order to provide consistent language throughout YAI. Some presenters may use identity-first language instead.