Overwhelming
Autism can be overwhelming. It touches so many different aspects of a person’s life and the lives of those around them. Teachers, parents, therapists, medical professionals, and others interested in the well-being of their friends with autism are constantly reading new research and literature, checking out new strategies and ideas, developing and implementing effective interventions to address that individual’s specific needs, and just trying to stay ahead of the flood. Let us look at just two quick tips to simplify life.
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DOUBLE UP. Don’t forget to use everyday activities as opportunities to help your friends with autism in target areas. For example, a youngster can practice communication, social skills, adaptive behavior, academics, and perceptual motor skills at home when helping make the grocery list, bathe the dog, fold towels, swiff the floor, and visit grandmamma. The same critical skills can be addressed at school when helping the teacher post student schedules for the day, putting the basketballs away at recess, helping clean the table after lunch, or being responsible for passing out and picking up folders in math class.
TAKE TIME. In the midst of all the strategies and interventions and target goals, our primary role is to nurture contentment and friendships and joy. We can do this by spending time with our friends. Use any opportunity – walking out to recess, exploring the library for a new book, riding in the car or on the school bus, setting the table for lunch, brushing teeth, sitting on the front porch – to connect and laugh and enjoy life.
TIP FOR THE DAY: It is impossible to sufficiently address every issue and challenge related to autism in a twenty-four hour day, so it helps to double up when we can to get the most out of each moment. And, most importantly, we need to focus on personal connections and nourish relationships.
To help with this process, we have some great resources – easy, efficient, inexpensive, focused, helpful – for systematically address challenging issues that can arise in the lives of our friends with autism. Click on the Toolkit tab on our website for great resources; http://FAQautism.com
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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