Father’s Day is a celebration of fatherhood and parenting by males that occurs on the third Sunday in June.  This occasion is geared not only for fathers, but grandfathers, uncles, godfathers, husbands and brothers. Men who are fathers to special needs kids really deserve to be celebrated.

If your brother or brother-in-law is a dad to a special needs child, you may know that dads often handle the diagnosis of autism or another disability differently than moms.  They may not go through the phases of anger, guilt, denial and acceptance like their spouse and can find themselves mourning the relationship they dreamed of having with their first - or any - son.

There have always been support groups and conferences for the mothers to attend.  In recent years, groups have been formed to help the dads connect with one another as well.  There is the Fathers Network, whose mission is to "celebrate and support fathers and families raising children with special health care needs and developmental disabilities.” The American Father’s Autism Network has an email online magazine and a sports news ticker at the bottom of each page.  There is also a Dictionary for Dads, which has an autism guide to help them sort through the diagnosis.

Researchers have noted that Autistic Kids benefit from Dad’s involvement.  At the annual Autism Society of America conference this July, 2009, there will be a session on Dads and Autism: An Insider’s Guide.

Father's Day Gift Ideas

This would be a good time to help your brother or brother-in-law with support in the form of a book by to help commemorate Father’s Day.  Perhaps he would enjoy Autism For Dummies.  Or how about just a great essay, the this Father’s Day Essay.

Another option is the Asperger Syndrome DVD for Dad that covers how to have a game plan and being a team player.  If your brother or brother in law is a golf fan, he can gain insights from Ernie Ells on parenting his son with autism.

Wearing his pride is a great idea too. A Father’s Day gift could be an autism awareness golf shirt. Proud Dad T-shirts are available during the month of June.  

Small gifts can mean a lot

You could also help out by making sure he receives a special Father’s Day card on behalf of his child.  Be there to hear him share his hopes and dreams for the future.  Print out articles on autism from the dads and those that relate to the fathers and place them in a binder to be given as a gift to celebrate how dad’s embrace their child’s disability.

Other gift ideas for Father’s Day include a gas card, car cleaning kit, gift certificates for lunch or tickets to a sporting event.  The week after celebration Dad starts the summer season, something to keep in mind when choosing a Father’s Day gift.  Parks, museums and zoos have season passes that can be utilized by the entire family making the celebration last longer than just one day in June.