How Divorce Affects Children With Autism

 Posted on April 20, 2017 in Children and Divorce

Many parents worry about how their divorce will affect their children. For children with autism, their parents’ divorce can be particularly confusing and disruptive. Depending on the severity of the autism, a child may have difficulty communicating or understanding how others feel. Children with autism thrive on familiarity and consistency. If you have a child with autism, you need to be sensitive to the unique affect your divorce may have on him or her.

Explaining the Divorce

Your child’s lack of communication skills can make it difficult to explain a topic as complex and emotional as divorce. You may have experience communicating with your child, but it can be hard to predict how your child will react. When having the conversation:

• Both you and your spouse should be present so your child is receiving a consistent message;
• Focus on explaining how the divorce will affect your child’s life because that is what is important to him or her;
• Stay calm and refrain from trying to place blame on your spouse; and
• Be aware that your child may have an unusual or inappropriate reaction to the news.

You should consult with your child’s specialist about how to have this conversation. A specialist can provide you with a social story to help explain the divorce.

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities

You can help your child adjust to the divorce by maintaining daily routines. The allocation of parental responsibilities plays a key role in this. The preference under Illinois law is for one parent to have a majority of the parenting time. This is also the preferred living arrangement for children with autism:

• If possible, your child should stay in the same home and go the same school as before the divorce.
• An even division of parenting time will create a disruptive schedule that has your child moving back and forth between parents.

The sudden disappearance of one parent will still be disruptive for your child. The parent who does not live with the child should try to keep some of their old routines and develop new ones.

Child Support

The medical expenses associated with your child’s autism will be part of the child obligations used to determine child support payments. For people with autism or other disabilities, child support can be extended into adulthood if one of the parents is still the person’s caretaker.

Divorce and Autism

A court should consider the needs of your child with autism during your divorce case. A Kane County divorce lawyer at Goostree Law Group can negotiate a divorce settlement that best suits your child. Schedule a free consultation by calling 630-584-4800.

Source:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/going-beyond-intelligence/201704/divorce-and-autism-familiarity-stability-consistency

http://www.pathfindersforautism.org/articles/view/telling_your_kids_youre_getting_a_divorce