FAQautism

In spite of our best intentions, we soon discover it is impossible to address every single issue that arrives each day in the life of an individual with autism. How can we bring balance into each day? How can we adequately address areas of need while, at the same time, develop personal relationships and just enjoy life?
Behavior issues, Caregiver support, social skills
Listen Now

or

continue reading

Autism touches on many different facets of daily living – communication, social interaction, self-help issues, and daily routines. We are often helping our friend develop skills in those areas while also helping them deal with marked sensory sensitivities, obsessive rituals, and significant behavior issues. And all this with just 24 hours in each day!

The key to maintaining balance while meeting daily challenges is to relax. “But,” you might say, “Who has time to relax?” Maybe a better word would be to “prioritize.” Take a look at these tips that have worked for family members, teachers, therapists, and others interested in the well-being of individuals with autism.
1. Make a list of things that MUST get done and let the other things slide occasionally.
2. Avoid getting so focused on the list that you fail to take time to make personal connections.
3. Forgive yourself and others if some things don’t get done.
4. Make certain the list includes this item: “Spend time enjoying friends and family.”

TIP FOR THE DAY: Attaining perfection is not your ultimate purpose, so relax and enjoy life, and help your friend with autism do the same. Take care of as many items on the list as possible each day; then relax so you can be tuned up for a fresh start the next day.

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

Automatically generated related posts:

1. Myth of Relaxation We can best meet daily challenges when we relax. But...
2. Myth of Relaxation We can best meet daily challenges when we relax. But...
3. Perfection “I’m just overwhelmed with the details,” said one parent of...
4. New Year’s Resolutions 2 On this last day of the year, we are discussing...
5. Perfect Parents Expecting perfection only leads to disappointment and headaches. Even the...