Enjoy Today
Most people take their parenting responsibilities and do their best to plan ahead. As we are flooded with back-to-school advertising and news stories, we tend to focus on planning ahead for school. Rather than getting too carried away, we might want to stop for a minute and remember that many individuals with autism live in the present, so our 24/7 focus on an event that is weeks away can be, at best, confusing.
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Some people with autism focus intently on the here and now. They are very interested in knowing what is happening today, or even on what is happening this moment, without any regard for the future. In this case, our friends can get frustrated if we are preoccupied with preparing for school – an event happening in the far distant future – rather than interacting with them in the present.
Other individuals with autism lean toward the opposite extreme, becoming somewhat obsessed with events happening in the future, with little regard for the present. In this case, our focusing on one upcoming event – the start of school – can feed that obsession, causing everyone to get pretty tired of hearing the same conversation about the same topic, over and over again.
Another consideration is the impact of transition from summer to school. If we stretch that transition period from August 1 to September 1, life can get pretty miserable for our friends with autism whose stress level rises at the very thought of a change in daily routine.
TIP FOR THE DAY: Make necessary plans for future events such as the first day of school, but don’t forget to enjoy today!
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
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