Parenting Children with ASD and Anxiety
Virtual Group Therapy
If your child with autism struggles with anxiety, sensory overwhelm, or rigidity around routines, you understand the unique challenges this brings. Managing both ASD and anxiety can feel like navigating two complex conditions at once—and you don’t have to do it alone. This 8-week virtual parenting group is here to help. This parent group empowers caregivers with strategies tailored to your child—reducing anxiety symptoms, supporting your child’s unique neurodivergence, and helping you feel more confident in your parenting.
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What This Parenting Group Offers
Led by Heather McDonald, RP, this program integrates two proven treatment models: SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) and Facing Your Fears, a group therapy approach specifically designed for children and parents with autism.
Research shows that children with ASD experience anxiety at much higher rates than neurotypical children, and their anxiety often looks different—tied to sensory sensitivities, communication differences, difficulty with transitions, social demands, and need for sameness. This group is geared towards parents of children with autism with verbal communication abilities.
This group is designed for parents of children ages 3 to 12 with ASD who want to feel more capable and supported in handling anxiety-related challenges at home.
What You’ll Learn
- How anxiety presents differently in children with autism
- The role of sensory sensitivities, executive functioning, and social demands in fueling anxiety
- Common parent accommodations that may inadvertently maintain anxiety
- Supportive, neurodiversity-affirming responses that help kids face fears while respecting their neurological differences.
- How to reduce your own parental stress and anxiety while supporting your child
- Adapting exposure-based strategies to fit your child’s unique needs
- Communication strategies and visual supports that build emotional resilience
Is This Program Right for You?
This is for you if:
- Your child has autism and struggles with anxiety, fears, or avoidance
- You’re walking on eggshells around meltdowns, rigid routines, or sensory triggers
- You’re looking for effective, autism-informed strategies to support your child’s independence
- You want to reduce accommodation that may indirectly maintain your child’s anxiety
- You’re seeking connection with other parents who understand the ASD and anxiety experience
This may not be right if:
- Your child needs immediate crisis intervention
- You are seeking direct therapy for your child rather than a parent-based approach
- Your child is not able to communicate verbally
About Heather Leanne McDonald & the FFEW Team
Heather Leanne McDonald specializes in strengthening family connections and communication by helping parents and children understand how temperament, life stressors, and past experiences impact their relationships. With over 22 years of experience in children’s mental health and school systems, she uses attachment-focused interventions and evidence-based approaches like CBT, EFT, and DBT to build families’ emotional toolkits and resilience, enabling them to navigate challenges together while maintaining deep, supportive connections.
Meet Our Team
Upcoming Group Schedule
Program Details
- Dates: Monday January 26, 2026
- Time: Mondays from 12:00pm (noon) to 1:30pm
- Duration: 8 weeks
- Format: Virtual (secure video platform)
- Facilitator: Heather McDonald, R.P
- Investment: $125 per session (total $1000)
Our groups are covered by most extended health benefits
Group size is limited. Begin with a free consult to learn more!
Book a Free Consultation
