The Family Enrichment Weekend enhances healthy family functioning by strengthening family cohesiveness. The entire Family Enrichment Weekend, from the moment the family is registered for the event, is focused on strengthening family cohesion. Family cohesion entails the emotional bonding family members have with one another (Olson, Russell, & Sprengkle 1984, 60). Families who have healthy levels of cohesion emotionally interact with one another and find balance that supports individual independence and family togetherness. Healthy family cohesion is not only a strength, but a resource for families that will assist them in facing the daily challenges of raising a child with autism, assisting in maintaining a healthy marriage, and in providing a nurturing environment for all the children in the family. Family members from cohesive family environments feel included and emotionally connected with the family. Maintaining a cohesive family is difficult for the family who has a child with autism. The families become fragmented due to the high needs of the child with autism.
The emotional bonding of the family as a unit is compromised and there is a loss of family togetherness. For families who have a child with a autism, family activities, including family outings, family meals, family holidays, are often unsuccessful, th
ereby compromising the development of healthy family cohesion. The most important goal of the Family Enrichment Weekend is to strengthen cohesion in each attending family. This inclusive, supportive environment contributes to successful family interactions and assists families in finding and maintaining cohesion. Throughout the Family Enrichment Weekend there are family activities specifically designed to increase cohesion and opportunities for family members to appreciate the talents of each family member. There is intensive assistance for each family in all activities, including family meals to ensure successful participation in a relaxed and accepting environment. The Family Enrichment Weekend gives families the opportunity to experience a model for maintaining and strengthening family cohesion. Some activities are planned within the Weekend where family members are together, other activities separate all or some of the family members. Children’s play, game and dress-up activities separate them from their parents, and sometimes from one another if they are grouped by age. During these times parents participate in discussions built around their own educational and support needs. Mealtimes are always family times. When they come together at mealtime and for family activities there is the opportunity to share.
The sharing is strategically planned where the children perform or show the parents what they did in their sessions. The closing event includes a video presentation of all the activities so that parents can see what their child was doing and the children can see what Mom and Dad were doing. Attention to individual and family needs throughout the weekend, increases the emotional bonds among all family members. The activities and support are described in detail in Parts 2 and 3 of this manual. For families to benefit fully and to strengthen family cohesion all family members must attend the event. This includes both parents, if both parents are in the home, and all the children living in the homeIf one family member cannot be present it will compromise the value of the Family Enrichment Weekend for the family. In addition, all family members need to attend all the sessions. This is difficult for individuals who may be hesitant to participate in group sessions.
Every effort is made to create a relationship with a staff person or another individual who will be attending to encourage participation. This is often done prior to the event so that the individual will be comfortable at the Family Enrichment Weekend.
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