Marianne Schiødt and Dorthe Stieper explore what it means to be a grandparent to a child with autism, anxiety and special needs. Marianne chose early retirement to support her own grandchild, while Dorthe, working as a family mentor, regularly meets grandparents in similar situations and brings professional insight to the conversation.
The lecture delves into important topics: what autism is and how it affects family relationships; grief over unmet expectations; practical guidance on being a good grandparent; and how to take breaks and care for your own resources. Marianne openly shares about joyful and difficult moments as a grandmother, while Dorthe provides broader perspectives on relatives of children with special needs.
There are no easy solutions – every family is different – but the lecture offers recognition, inspiration and comfort to grandparents seeking to better understand their grandchildren and navigate complex emotions.
