A ROMSEY-based hypnotherapist has given a talk for parents whose children are on the autism spectrum.

Kay Hendy, 64, of Priestlands, gave the talk at the South Hampshire branch of the National Autistic Society in Bishopstoke on Monday, March 20. The talk came ahead of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 and focused on the importance of parents taking time for themselves when they can.

Kay, whose son Elliot was diagnosed as being autistic at the age of 4, explained: “I was talking to them about how, when you’re a parent of a child with autism, you tend to put yourself at the end of the queue quite often because there are so many pressures and challenges of dealing with schools as well as trying to do your best for your children.

READ MORE: Residents encouraged to make a difference and become Autism Ambassadors

“It can be really stressful, really exhausting and we tend to put ourselves at the end of the queue and think that having time for ourselves is a bit of a luxury.

“But then I was talking to them about how the brain works and, as much as when we’re feeling calm we’re in that rational, thinking part of our brain where we can actually find solutions. For example, if the children are playing up a little bit, you’re much more able to deal with the situation much more clear-headed”.

Kay said that the talk, which attracted 26 attendees, was well received. She added: “The feedback that I got was really positive, and I finished it off with a 10-minute guided relaxation where everybody was sitting there in their chairs, closed their eyes and did a relaxation exercise.

SEE ALSO: Hampshire pub named as having best pub garden at awards show

“And everyone seemed to really enjoy that – on my feedback form that was the best thing.”

A practitioner of solution-focused hypnotherapy, Kay wanted to make clear that it “isn’t mind control.”

“It’s not something I can do to anybody, it’s a collaboration and it’s perfectly safe. I work with adults and young people with all kinds of conditions, from anxiety and people who have phobias, and I have worked with some young people who are on the spectrum who have anxiety and it’s worked really well.”