Parents get to be front row in their child’s programming with me. I listen to their feelings, I learn from their knowledge of their child’s uniqueness, I empower them with parenting strategies, and they get a say in all of our team meetings and curriculum.  All of this leads to accelerated positive change in the entire family.

Look for Change

And these fundamental principles are deeply embedded in ThriveGuide, the online parent-training and therapy-planning system I created.

I believe that change is possible because I’ve witnessed life-changing learning and development in many autistic children. And when we as parents and educators believe that change is possible, we tend to look for evidence, we look for signs that change is happening, and we get more excited when we see it! Noticing and celebrating changes naturally reinforces change.

When explaining the shifts in thinking that his mother made after her initial shock of his diagnosis, Chris said, “when they said I would struggle, she chose to see strengths.”

Parent’s attitude (which is what you think and how you feel) CAN make an important difference.

Be a Cheerleader

When you spend time with your child, actively look for their strengths and skills to celebrate, even if they are just beginning. Don’t wait for your child to master a skill; instead, see their emerging strengths and cheer them from the very first few steps.

By making a big deal of their little steps forward, you will inspire them to try new things and to be more persistent when they hit learning challenges.

I hope you invest 18 minutes listening to this TedX Talk. Chris’ ideas might trigger a shift in your thinking and how you approach the time you spend with your child. And if you haven’t already, sign-up for ThriveGuide to get a personalized therapy plan for your autistic child.

Have a great week!