Empowering Caregivers with Trauma-informed Care

Primary caregivers of neurodivergent children, such as those with autism, often face a myriad of challenges like burnout, grief, and financial stress. A small study by MWS Family Service Centre – Yishun found that a Systemic Trauma-informed Care (STIC) approach helps social workers better respond to these issues, improving caregiver outcomes. 

STIC addresses trauma while tackling the issues faced by evaluating the impact and resources within various systems like schools. This empowering approach creates a safe space for processing emotions and leverages caregivers’ strengths to tackle challenges. It also connects families with essential resources for comprehensive support. 

These findings, presented at the Systemic Practice Conference 2024 as well as the Social Work Academia- Practice Symposium 2024, highlighted the urgent need for more training in STIC and greater collaboration among agencies specialising in neurodivergent children.