The meltdown has occurred.  It’s past the point of you trying to comfort your child, and you’re not sure why it’s all happening.

A child on the spectrum can have many triggers or sensory issues that will cause a meltdown.  They also may not communicate the same way, which makes it hard for them to tell you what’s really wrong.

How do I figure out what’s wrong?

How can I de-escalate the situation?

What do I need to do so that they calm down?

Resources Mentioned:

Smarter Parenting: https://www.smarterparenting.com/behavioral-parenting-pathways/tantrums/

Autism Parenting Magazine - Download a free guide that helps with tantrums: https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/tame-tantrums-manage-meltdowns/

Calming strategies for you and your kids for Wandsworth Local Offer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fND28VE0VxU

Story Highlights

Do you have a funny story or one of success about your child on the spectrum?  Let’s celebrate the wins!  Submit your stories to be featured on the podcast at [email protected]

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Let’s talk sensory!  Many children on the spectrum have sensory processing disorders than can affect them on a daily basis.  Some kids are hypersensitive, and others are hyposensitive.  I’ll deep dive into some quick tips and tell you what has helped me with my son.

Resources Mentioned:

Calm strips:  https://calmstrips.com/

Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder:  https://sensoryhealth.org/

STAR Institute:  https://sensoryhealth.org/basic/understanding-sensory-processing-disorder

Story Highlights

Do you have a funny story or one of success about your child on the spectrum?  Let’s celebrate the wins!  Submit your stories to be featured on the podcast at [email protected]

Like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram @piecesformypuzzle

There’s no manual when is comes to parenting, especially with a child on the spectrum.  You may need to work harder than others to find resources and solutions for your child.

So how you are taking time for yourself?  That’s a loaded question!

Tune in as I discuss some quick tips on how to destress in your household. 

Resources Mentioned:

In this episode, we gave reference to some simple meditation videos from Diverse Learning Hub.  Here are the links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4ePe2o3WIQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-j_U1eD2VI

Yoga Cards for Kids:

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Calming strategies for you and your kids for Wandsworth Local Offer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fND28VE0VxU

Story Highlights

What do you do to destress?  Any good remedies that you and your child do at home? Submit your stories to be featured on the podcast at [email protected]

Like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram @piecesformypuzzle

Special needs services and paperwork can seem daunting. You have tons of paperwork to sift through and it sucks!  Feeling unorganized can make you feel more overwhelmed than you already are.  Utilize these quick tips to get organized and keep it maintained.  

Story Highlights

Let’s celebrate the wins!  Submit your stories to be featured on the podcast at [email protected]

Like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram @piecesformypuzzle

IEP’s - They are a total pain in the A**!   Navigating them can be difficult and you’ll feel overwhelmed and confused if you don’t have a plan.  Nikki gives a breakdown of quick tips on how to learn more about IEP’s, what questions to ask an advocate, and how to stay proactive. 

Resources mentioned 

Understood.org: https://www.understood.org/articles/en/understanding-the-iep-proces and Understand what’s in an IEP:  https://www.understood.org/articles/en/knowing-whats-in-an-iep

COPAA – Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates:  https://www.copaa.org/

Story Highlights

Let’s celebrate the wins!  Submit your stories to be featured on the podcast at [email protected]

Like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram @piecesformypuzzle

Find Resources, Take Action!Finding resources is one of the toughest things you’ll do.  The good news is that there are many resources available for your special needs child.  The bad news?  They can be hard to find and hard to get!

Resources mentioned CDC link:  https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/links.html and Autism Speaks link: https://www.autismspeaks.org/resource-guide

Story highlightsLet’s celebrate the wins!  Submit your stories to be featured on the podcast at [email protected]

Like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram @piecesformypuzzle

It starts with belief. 

In this podcast, we are discussing the importance of mindset and believing that your child on the spectrum is capable of amazing things!  No one else is going to be the advocate for your child, except YOU. 

We also highlight a story from Nikki on the moment when she realized her son was capable of so much more than she gave him credit for.

Submit your stories of triumph to be featured on the podcast at [email protected]

Like/follow us on Facebook and Instagram @piecesformypuzzle