136 episodes

I am a devoted father, a caregiver to a special child, and an advocate for autism. My mission is to raise awareness about autism and share my experiences as a parent. I cherish every moment spent with my son, embracing the joys and challenges that come with it. Together, we navigate this journey, learning and growing along the way.

Autism and Parenting Autism and Parenting

    • Kids & Family

I am a devoted father, a caregiver to a special child, and an advocate for autism. My mission is to raise awareness about autism and share my experiences as a parent. I cherish every moment spent with my son, embracing the joys and challenges that come with it. Together, we navigate this journey, learning and growing along the way.

    Homework!

    Homework!

    Homework plays a crucial role in the educational development of all children, including those with special needs. For kids in general, homework reinforces lessons learned in school, providing opportunities to practice and solidify newly acquired knowledge and skills. This repetition is key to deepening understanding and retention, helping to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application. It encourages students to independently engage with the material, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities outside of the classroom setting. Moreover, completing homework assignments cultivates a sense of responsibility and discipline, teaching children valuable time management skills early on.For special needs children, homework serves additional important purposes. It offers structured practice that is tailored to their individual learning needs and abilities, reinforcing concepts in a manner that accommodates their specific challenges. Even if a child requires more time to complete assignments, the act of sitting down and working through the tasks extends their concentration and attention span, which are vital skills for academic and personal development. This extended sitting time can contribute positively to their overall ability to focus and engage in tasks, gradually improving their academic performance and self-confidence. Furthermore, homework provides an opportunity for parents and educators to monitor progress, identify areas needing extra support, and adapt teaching strategies accordingly, ensuring continuous growth and development. Thus, for both typical and special needs children, homework plays a pivotal role in enhancing learning outcomes and preparing them for future academic challenges.#asd #autism #autismparent #parenting #dad #fathersday #fatherhood #reelitfeelit #child #kid #kids #parents #mother #father #dadlife

    • 1 min
    Lessons I learnt

    Lessons I learnt

    Usually, grown-ups teach children, but often, children have lessons to offer back to their parents, caregivers, and elders. When it comes to children with special needs, learning patience is a universal experience for all caregivers and parents. This is something I also learned while working with my son.My son has taught me to be present in the moment and to live it to the fullest. The past is unchangeable, and the future is uncertain, so worrying about them is unnecessary. Embracing the present is what truly matters in life.I once had expectations, aspirations, and dreams, but I realized these were my limitations. My son gave me the courage, strength, and power to break free from these constraints and explore beyond the boundaries of my aspirations and expectations. This discovery helped me unlock an endless potential that lies beyond those limits. Through my special child, I have found peace and love.

    • 1 min
    The Waiting Lounge

    The Waiting Lounge

    The “waiting room experiment,” a social experiment conducted by a hidden camera show called “What Would You Do?” or similar social psychology experiments. In this scenario, A waiting room is arranged with several actors posing as regular people waiting for an appointment. These actors are instructed to stand up every time a bell rings. At intervals, a bell sounds, prompting the actors to stand up briefly and then sit back down on next bell sound. An unsuspecting person enters the waiting room and sits among the actors. After witnessing the repeated behavior of standing up with the bell’s ringing, the unsuspecting participant often begins to mimic the actions of the group, standing up when the bell rings without understanding why?Even if all the actors eventually leave the room, the unsuspecting participant typically continues the behavior of standing up when the bell rings, demonstrating the power of social influence and conformity.Similarly, parents often might feel pressured to mimic the parenting styles they observe in others, even if those styles don’t align with their values or their child’s needs. Effective parenting requires understanding one’s child, recognizing their unique needs, and making intentional decisions based on this understanding, rather than following others blindly.Parenting should be a journey of personal growth for parents. It’s about evolving, learning from experiences, and adapting one’s approach to meet the changing needs of the child.Parenting should avoid the pitfalls of mimicking others without understanding. Instead, it should be about developing a deep connection with one’s child, continually learning and growing as a parent, and making thoughtful, informed decisions that best support the child’s development. This approach fosters a more authentic and effective parenting style, tailored to the unique dynamics of each family.

    • 1 min
    Experiences Matter

    Experiences Matter

    Exposing children on the autism spectrum to various experiences can play a crucial role in reducing hypersensitivity towards textures. Here’s why it’s important:1. Sensory Integration: Children with autism often struggle with sensory integration, where their brains have difficulty processing and organizing sensory information. By exposing them to different textures in a controlled and supportive environment, they can gradually learn to integrate and adapt to these sensations.2. Desensitization: Experiencing different textures helps desensitize children to the ones they find aversive or overwhelming. Through repeated exposure, they can become more tolerant and less reactive to textures that once caused distress.3. Enhanced Tolerance: Exposure to a variety of textures fosters tolerance and flexibility. It teaches children that different sensations are part of everyday life and encourages them to approach new experiences with curiosity rather than fear or avoidance.4. Functional Skills Development: Learning to tolerate various textures is essential for developing everyday functional skills. Whether it’s dressing themselves, engaging in play activities, or eating a diverse diet, children with autism need to be comfortable with different textures to navigate daily life independently.Giving experiences that expose children on the autism spectrum to various textures is essential for their sensory development, social inclusion, and overall quality of life. It fosters tolerance, independence, and self-confidence, laying the foundation for their success and happiness in the long term.

    • 1 min
    Arranging Thoughts

    Arranging Thoughts

    Organizing our thoughts is akin to organizing our wardrobe—a concept that parallels the physical realm with the intangible realm of the mind. Just as a cluttered wardrobe can impede our ability to find what we need, a cluttered mind can hinder our progress and well-being. In this discourse, we’ll delve into the significance of mental organization, drawing parallels between tidying up our thoughts and tidying up our physical space.Our minds are constantly bombarded with a myriad of thoughts, emotions, and stimuli. Like items jumbled together in a disorganized wardrobe, these thoughts can become tangled and overwhelming if left unchecked. Negative thoughts, in particular, can linger and weigh us down, much like old and unworn clothes taking up valuable space. Just as we periodically declutter our physical space to create room for new and useful items, we must declutter our minds to make space for positive and constructive thoughts.Removing thoughts that trouble us is akin to purging our wardrobe of items that no longer serve us. Holding onto negative thoughts from the past can hinder our present and future progress. By letting go of these thoughts, we free ourselves from their burden and create space for new possibilities. This process requires introspection and self-awareness—the ability to identify which thoughts are holding us back and consciously choose to release them.Organizing our thoughts is essential for personal growth, success, and well-being. By decluttering our minds, categorizing our thoughts, and cultivating a positive mindset, we create space for new possibilities and opportunities. The analogy of arranging a wardrobe underscores the transformative power of intentional action and highlights the ongoing nature of mental organization. By harnessing the power of our thoughts, we can chart a course towards a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

    • 1 min
    Masking

    Masking

    When we’re kids, we want to be loved and accepted by the people around us—our family, friends, and teachers. Sometimes, to get this love and attention, we do things we think will make others happy or impress them. For example, we might tell jokes, try to be good at sports, or do what others want us to do, even if it doesn’t feel quite right for us. This is like wearing a mask; we’re not showing who we truly are inside, but we’re trying to be who others want us to be.As we grow up, we might continue to wear these masks to get approval or praise from others. We might focus on being what others expect instead of being ourselves. But the truth is, we’re already enough just as we are. We don’t have to pretend to be someone else to be loved or accepted. We should try to embrace who we truly are and not worry so much about always pleasing others.

    • 1 min

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