Supporting resilience for autistic children and their families: appreciating the roles of grandparents

Autistic children are confronted with many challenges in their daily lives. These include coping with sensory sensitivities, managing emotional regulation, and navigating social interactions. When their difficulties are misunderstood, autistic children can be stigmatized and marginalized, and this may lead to anxiety, stress, and unhappiness. The wellbeing of autistic children is of particular concern, as mental health problems are more common for autistic young people than for the general population. We contend that grandparents are an under-recognized resource to support resilience for autistic grandchildren and their families. This perspective piece combines the story of one Italian grandmother with evidence from international research about grandparents of autistic grandchildren. Drawing upon concepts of intergenerational family solidarity, we look in turn at the resilience of autistic children, parents, and grandparents themselves. We call for acknowledgement of the role of grandparents in recognizing and supporting the resilience of autistic grandchildren and their families.