I closed down my autism blog for a while to update it and I added a few new things. Instead of just talking about autism in the blog, I wanted to discuss all the things that make my life so good!
Feel free to visit GoodLifeAnya or my new YouTube page. It's a nerdy new video hobby, much faster than writing lengthy articles. Back to homework and cleaning!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
How to Cope with Parenting an Autistic Child
This is an article I whipped up the other day.
Parenting an autistic child is a very stressful responsibility. The boom of autism diagnoses has prompted many families to seek professional help for their children. Therapists and specialists are not the only solutions in caring for a child with special needs. It is imperative that parents also take care of themselves.
It is often said that good parenting means sacrificing for the child. This might be true in some areas of life, but basic necessities need not be overlooked. Parents who neglect their own sleep routines, food choices, and financial obligations are cumulatively worsening their anxiety. Finding balance is critical when caregiving for a child with special needs.
1. Establish a bedtime habit. Autistic children love rigid schedules and parents can benefit from a consistent nightly routine too. Parents should establish a regular bedtime not only for their children, but for themselves. A warm bath, relaxing music, candles, and herbal teas are just a few ways to truly enjoy the evening.
2. Eat foods that support wellness. Many autistic children require special diets because of allergies or food intolerances. This is an opportunity for parents to assess their own eating habits and adapt their diets to fit their own needs. Skipping meals, overeating, and indulging in unhealthy substances decrease energy and can cause illness.
3. Balance the checkbook. Medical expenses can escalate when a family member is disabled. Organizing paperwork, keeping track of bills, and paying down debt are daily tasks which eliminate some of the stress. Most of all, parents should save a little money regularly. Financial management books or courses are wise when caretaking for an autistic child and planning is essential.
4. Avoid compulsion. Continuously researching autism and the latest findings is beneficial to an extent. However, lengthy amounts of time reading about or talking about autism might increase anxiety. Finding hobbies, exercising, or taking time alone are a few helpful ideas when parents experience “information overload” from caring for their disabled children.
5. Go on a date. Having an autistic child causes a great deal of stress on a marriage. Scheduled date nights and time together bonds couples during times of uncertainty. Weekly or bimonthly dates build marital relationships and promote healthy parenting. For single parents, date nights with friends are beneficial in order to have interaction with other emotionally mature adults.
6. Find a social network. Social groups can be found within communities, school districts, church organizations, or the internet. When parents actively participate in an autism network, they are better able to cope with symptoms and set obtainable goals. More important, parents can communicate openly with other families who struggle with similar issues. They are not alone in their struggles. (See National Geographic: Stress: Portrait of a Killer)
7. Have fun. Becoming a recluse is obviously not ideal. Going to the movies, the park, and the zoo are nice places for kids. However, autistic children truly benefit from a wide variety of exposure. Touring museums, visiting historical sights, camping, boating, travelling, having pillow fights, or visiting local shelters are just a few things to do aside from the mundane. With a little planning and a positive attitude, autistic children can have a wonderful time doing things that their parents can enjoy too. Parents who laugh, play, and have fun will teach their children by example to find joy in the atmosphere around them.
8. Breathe in times of turmoil. When an autistic child’s overstimulation sets in, it is comparable to having a newborn baby again. Not knowing what to do or how to help the child often makes parents feel defeated. Learning to breathe in times of high stress is a simple, fast-acting remedy in times of escalating frustration. Yogic breathing techniques (also known as Pranayama) bring peace and clarity when it seems like the whole world is caving in. Parents who practice conscious breathing are better able to make safe, beneficial decisions when their autistic children cannot communicate their needs.
For more information about stress on parents/relatives of autism, please visit the following:
For LDS Mothers:
http://disabilities.lds.org/disabilities/eng/disability-resources/family-resources/helps-for-mothers
For LDS Fathers:
http://disabilities.lds.org/disabilities/eng/disability-resources/family-resources/helps-for-fathers
For Grandparents:
http://disabilities.lds.org/disabilities/eng/disability-resources/family-resources/helps-for-grandparents
For all:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=life_fam_stress
Parenting an autistic child is a very stressful responsibility. The boom of autism diagnoses has prompted many families to seek professional help for their children. Therapists and specialists are not the only solutions in caring for a child with special needs. It is imperative that parents also take care of themselves.
It is often said that good parenting means sacrificing for the child. This might be true in some areas of life, but basic necessities need not be overlooked. Parents who neglect their own sleep routines, food choices, and financial obligations are cumulatively worsening their anxiety. Finding balance is critical when caregiving for a child with special needs.
1. Establish a bedtime habit. Autistic children love rigid schedules and parents can benefit from a consistent nightly routine too. Parents should establish a regular bedtime not only for their children, but for themselves. A warm bath, relaxing music, candles, and herbal teas are just a few ways to truly enjoy the evening.
2. Eat foods that support wellness. Many autistic children require special diets because of allergies or food intolerances. This is an opportunity for parents to assess their own eating habits and adapt their diets to fit their own needs. Skipping meals, overeating, and indulging in unhealthy substances decrease energy and can cause illness.
3. Balance the checkbook. Medical expenses can escalate when a family member is disabled. Organizing paperwork, keeping track of bills, and paying down debt are daily tasks which eliminate some of the stress. Most of all, parents should save a little money regularly. Financial management books or courses are wise when caretaking for an autistic child and planning is essential.
4. Avoid compulsion. Continuously researching autism and the latest findings is beneficial to an extent. However, lengthy amounts of time reading about or talking about autism might increase anxiety. Finding hobbies, exercising, or taking time alone are a few helpful ideas when parents experience “information overload” from caring for their disabled children.
5. Go on a date. Having an autistic child causes a great deal of stress on a marriage. Scheduled date nights and time together bonds couples during times of uncertainty. Weekly or bimonthly dates build marital relationships and promote healthy parenting. For single parents, date nights with friends are beneficial in order to have interaction with other emotionally mature adults.
6. Find a social network. Social groups can be found within communities, school districts, church organizations, or the internet. When parents actively participate in an autism network, they are better able to cope with symptoms and set obtainable goals. More important, parents can communicate openly with other families who struggle with similar issues. They are not alone in their struggles. (See National Geographic: Stress: Portrait of a Killer)
7. Have fun. Becoming a recluse is obviously not ideal. Going to the movies, the park, and the zoo are nice places for kids. However, autistic children truly benefit from a wide variety of exposure. Touring museums, visiting historical sights, camping, boating, travelling, having pillow fights, or visiting local shelters are just a few things to do aside from the mundane. With a little planning and a positive attitude, autistic children can have a wonderful time doing things that their parents can enjoy too. Parents who laugh, play, and have fun will teach their children by example to find joy in the atmosphere around them.
8. Breathe in times of turmoil. When an autistic child’s overstimulation sets in, it is comparable to having a newborn baby again. Not knowing what to do or how to help the child often makes parents feel defeated. Learning to breathe in times of high stress is a simple, fast-acting remedy in times of escalating frustration. Yogic breathing techniques (also known as Pranayama) bring peace and clarity when it seems like the whole world is caving in. Parents who practice conscious breathing are better able to make safe, beneficial decisions when their autistic children cannot communicate their needs.
For more information about stress on parents/relatives of autism, please visit the following:
For LDS Mothers:
http://disabilities.lds.org/disabilities/eng/disability-resources/family-resources/helps-for-mothers
For LDS Fathers:
http://disabilities.lds.org/disabilities/eng/disability-resources/family-resources/helps-for-fathers
For Grandparents:
http://disabilities.lds.org/disabilities/eng/disability-resources/family-resources/helps-for-grandparents
For all:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=life_fam_stress
Fear Ye Not
I'm taking a bit of a sick day today because I woke up with a sore throat. I came across this video to share. It is true that as we face our own trials, the Lord will fight for us if we just exercise the faith in Him. If we attempt to take matters into our own hands, we will not only deny ourselves the blessings of joy and love from Heaven...we find it is a much more difficult and lonely path. This continuous cycle throughout the day gives us an opportunity to exercise our faith and trust in God.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Phoenix Fog
A couple of weeks ago we had a gorgeous fog roll into town.
Ella said "What's all this dust in the air?"
She is definitely a Phoenician.
15 Minute Goodwill Lamp
Ella was sad she didn't have a lamp in her room.
She likes to read before bed.
I found this Goodwill lamp ($3.99) with a stained shade and nasty fringe ribbon which I ripped off immediately.
A little spray paint and new ribbon for a sweet princess.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Happy New Year!
It's been really cold here in AZ!!! We even had a few snow flurries around the valley but nothing that collected. The mountains are covered in snow and the views are gorgeous. We had to cover a few of our plants and palm trees with sheets so the frost would not kill them.
Besides the cold weather, I've created my New Year's resolution list. Most people I talk with say "I don't do resolutions". But I really enjoyed sitting down with some herbal tea and making a brief sketch of personal goals that I'd like to work on.
One thought that came to my mind was "CLEANSE THE INNER VESSEL". In my personal studies I've come across this topic and decided it would be an excellent start to a brand new year. The focus of the "vessel" will begin with me (weaknesses, grief, health, spiritual and physical things I can work on from the inside).
I hope that this personal work will expand to another vessel, that being our home (having better routines, order, cleanliness, and beauty within the walls of our house).
After talking with John and Ella on New Year's day, they shared what goals they wanted to work on and I immediately realized that "cleansing the inner vessel" is a common theme for many people. Improving ourselves and working towards being spotless is a great goal to have.
I decided not to put specifics down on my list, but rather general things to think about throughout the year.
GRATITUDE is the main thing I will be focusing on in order to achieve my goal of a cleaner "vessel". With a gratitude attidue I'll be able to focus on my blessings instead of the negative stuff.
Perfection in 2011? No way!
This is simply a great focus and a happy start.
What is your resolution?
Perfection in 2011? No way!
This is simply a great focus and a happy start.
What is your resolution?
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