Tag Archives: family

A Time of Renewal

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Every year most people make resolutions. Usually, they have to do with conquering issues that deal with self. I admit that I make some as well, but I like to call them New Year’s goals.  For some reason the word “resolution” makes me feel like I’ll forget about it after March. I also like to make goals for my youngest son in the beginning of the year.

Since my oldest son has now graduated from college, I continue to encourage his ongoing growth and the pursuit of his aspirations. As far as my youngest goes, there are so many possibilities I know he will achieve as he moves into the second half of his ninth grade year, despite any obstacles he may have faced in the fall. Although ASD can bring a lot of challenges, when I look back from January 2024 until now, my son has conquered a lot of goals.

Now that 2025 is here, I want to make sure we keep moving forward and not resting on last year’s victories. As I write down goals for myself, I do the same for him.  Looking at a notepad or board with real objectives helps to keep everything in focus. Whatever method you utilize, it should always be in view. I love the refrigerator as a place to keep the goal board or even on the wall near a desk.  I also recommend breaking down larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks to prevent feelings of overwhelm while working toward significant goals. Additionally, since our kids usually love receiving praise, providing them with little rewards along the way seems to help their confidence as they continue the journey throughout the year.

Furthermore, moving into a new year also provides an excellent opportunity for parents to gather resources for their children, particularly in relation to new therapies, activities, and camps that may be beneficial for them.

Many school districts host resource fairs that provide valuable information for parents about local events and opportunities specifically tailored for children on the spectrum. These fairs can be a great way to discover new options for your child’s growth and exploration. I highly recommended that parents attend as many of these fairs and workshops as possible to stay informed and engaged in their children’s development.

It is essential that we capitalize on opportunities each year that can facilitate our children’s development and help them realize their full potential. Establishing clear goals for our children and maintaining focus and consistency in pursuing these goals can lead to numerous achievements over the course of the year. This year there are abundant possibilities for growth and success, and every child deserves the chance to embrace the positive opportunities that lie ahead.

Transitions…Again

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Summer is here, and for many students, that means a serious break from academics and a time for fun and relaxation. However, for many kids on the autism spectrum, it also includes increasing therapy sessions. Getting additional speech or occupational therapy during the school year can be challenging, so the summer is a great time to add more sessions.

For children or teenagers like my son, this summer also means transitioning from middle school to high school. The transition from fifth grade to sixth grade was scary for me, but now that my son has entered the “teenager” phase, it’s even scarier. He will have to handle a larger school with students ranging from ages 14 to 19, and that worries me. I feel like shouting, “Dorothy, we are no longer in Kansas,” but as a mom who has handled numerous challenges, I know we can overcome the beginning of the high school phase.

Whenever my son is about to enter a new phase in his life, I usually make two planners – one physical and one digital. You can choose whichever one suits you best to keep your child’s information organized. Personally, I like having both because items can sometimes get lost with technology. Many organizations have planners such as TACA (The Autism Community in Action) that are extremely helpful for keeping track of information.

Before summer started, I made an effort to attend numerous events designed for high school students with special needs. My goal was to collect and organize as much information as possible. In the planner, I have sections or folders that contain a list of my son’s therapies, recent evaluations, IEP’s, and essential resources. I categorize physical resources into areas such as volunteering, employment, and applicable camps for the near future, as well as a separate section for future events. For the virtual planner, I include links to the various companies and camps.

During any transition, organization is key. It is important not to become overwhelmed during the midst of camps, therapies, and summer fun activities. You do not want to be burdened by tedious work. Doing a little at a time will help in getting items together.

As I continue on this journey of transition this summer, I am preparing to meet teachers, therapists at my son’s high school as well as look for activities he can be a part of during the school year.

I am also giving myself grace and some time to just enjoy my son outside of academics and therapies. It is still summer and we should “kick up our heels” a bit and enjoy the break as much as possible.