Monday, April 30, 2007

Exercise and Mood

In Friday's blog I touched a bit on depression and Autism. Since my daughter, who has Asperger's, tends to suffer from depression from time to time I have found that if I can get her to have a workout it really helps her immensely. I have definitely noticed that when she has regular physical activity her mood tends to be more even. Knowing this I try to keep her involved in extra curricular activities such as soccer or badminton.

Interestingly enough I found this article that supports vigorous physical exercise for kids with autism or autism related conditions.

Happy Parenting

Monicka

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Parenting Reflections Book, and Positive Affirmations for Kids CD



Hi everyone! We have two great prizes to give away on the http://www.kidsgoals.com/ website for the month of May.





Each of two lucky winners will receive:

1) The enchanting book "100 Daily Parenting Reflections" by Heather Forbes (and personally signed by the author!)

2) A REALLY special CD, currently available nowhere else, created specially for you by KidsGoals, and called "Loving Affirmations for Children". This CD is a soothing, unique audio program, specifically for children, which provides a thoroughly enjoyable way for your child to build his confidence and self-esteem. Our kids love listening to this CD at bedtime and we have seen them take leaps and bounds in confidence both at home and at school as a result.


Enter the competition at http://www.kidsgoals.com/parenting-reflections.shtml

Happy parenting from your KidsGoals editors, Cassie and Monicka.

P.S. Please forward to a friend if you know someone else who would like to enter the competition – thanks!

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Children and Medication "Do the Research"

The updated Kidsgoals website has been around for over a year now and it always amazes me when we get emails with comments and suggestions from our readers. You mean people are actually reading what we write? We do not take your comments lightly and will do our best to take your suggestions under consideration. One email from a lady who is upset because her Dr. wanted to put her son on Ritalin after he was diagnosed with ADHD in children really hit home to me. She wanted to know if we had any information of alternative methods that she could try before she agreed to put her son on medication. I remember when my sons' Dr. suggested that I put him on anti depressants to help with his social anxiety. I was ready to try anything to help my son, but my son, who has Asperger's, would have no part of it. He said he would try it on his own for awhile and if things didn't improve he might give the pills a go. Interestingly enough he never did go on the medication.

I honestly do believe parents need to do the research before they agree to put their kids on any medication. We so want to believe that our Dr's have all the answers but experience has made me believe otherwise. We as parents are the ones who need to be advocates for our children and find out everything about the medication your Dr. may suggest as well as other alternative resources. If we don't look out for the best interest of our children who will?

Happy Parenting,
 KidsGoals

Friday, April 27, 2007

Depression and Autism


Today is a very sad day for me. After having my friend Cassie here for the last few weeks I woke up this morning feeling like something was missing. Our friendship has become such an important part of my day and having her here in my country and my home was very special for me. I am literally having Cassie withdrawal. So yes I am a bit sad but I know that by tomorrow or Sunday I will be back to my old self. My daughter, who has Asperger's, sometimes, suffers from depression and I keep a close eye on her for any red flags. A bad day at school can sometimes exacerbate into full blown depression in the blink of an eye so if she seems like she is becoming withdrawn and spending a bit too much time in her room I make sure to check in with her to see what is going on. It is sometimes like pulling teeth to get her to talk about it but with a bit of encouragement or a game of hangman she will eventually tell me.


Depression is very common in autism and Asperger’s kids. Social withdrawal, lack of appetite and sleep disturbance is common in children on the spectrum and are also the core symptoms of depression, the disease can sometimes go undiagnosed and untreated. If you have any concerns your child may be depressed it is a good idea to talk to a professional as soon as possible.

All the best

Monicka

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Asperger Kids and Friendship

Continuing the theme of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) and friendship, we thought you would be interested in a program we listened to in which some Asperger's children were interviewed about how they cope at school.

You'll find the link on this page: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/features/autism.shtml - just scroll about 1/2 way down, the program is entitled ASPERGER FRIENDS. There are also lots of other interesting programs archived on the page!

Happy parenting,

Cassie

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Good Friends are Hard to Find

Happy Wednesday Everyone

Today is a bittersweet day for me. It is the last day that Cassie and I have before she heads home to the UK but by the same token it is reminder of how special our friendship really is. I wish everyone could find such a friend. It doesn't matter how long in between visits we find a way to stay close through daily msn audio chats and phone calls.

Keeping a friendship going takes a little bit of effort and this can make it difficult for the kids on the spectrum. An inappropriate comment or gesture from a child with Asperger's or other autism condition can sometimes be taken out of context if the person is unaware of the social difficulties these kids face every day.

I wish there was some way to clue the world in on the fact that these kids deserve to have friends too and if people would just give them a break they would find that they have much to give to a friendship. One thing is a given, it would never be boring!!! :-)

Great article on autism and friendship

All the best

Monicka

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Autism and friendship

Friendship is just as important to kids on the Autism spectrum as to any other child. But these special children can have lots of difficulty making friends.

If your child has a classmate with Autism, Aspergers or a related condition, you can help them by explaining a bit about autism and some of the ways in which autism-spectrum children differ. For example, explain that their autistic classmate might have difficulty understanding "social rules", and so might unintentionally sound rude. They probably don't mean it at all!

This article gives some other ideas about befriending an autistic person. Hope you find it as interesting as we did!

Happy parenting.

Cassie

Monday, April 23, 2007

Kids, and setting an example

After Monicka blogged about "Doing our part" for the environment yesterday, we went on a walk through a lovely forest trail by her house, with 10-year-old Justin, and I was really proud of Monicka because she picked up all the bits of rubbish along the path.

Kids notice these things - whether there is consistency between what a parent or caregiver says, and their actions. Setting an example isn't just about talk, it's about what you do - your kids are watching, even when you don't realise it!

Happy Parenting,

Cassie

Sunday, April 22, 2007

Let's All Do Our Part

Happy Sunday Everyone

In honor of Earth Day we will digress for a bit from the theme of Autism Awareness and talk about the things that we can do to help our planet out a bit.

Make it a priority in your family to make your children aware that even the smallest things can make a big difference. For instance change a few of your regular light bulbs to compact fluorescent, they may cost a big more initially but the savings in the long run can really add up. Remember the three R's -- "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" and another small but important step in helping to reduce water waste; don't run the water when brushing your teeth or doing the dishes.

Happy Earth Day Everyone lets all do our part!!!

Monicka

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Parent or Friend?

Monicka wisely said to me the other day, "Much as you might want to be your child's friend, you can't sacrifice parenting to friendship - a parent's role is that of a parent and not a friend."

So I was interested to read some kids' contributions to a BBC vote entitled, "What makes a good parent?" The themes that emerged from the kids' comments emphasized that our children think a good parent is one that cares for a child, provides loving discipline and help with homework.

Happy Parenting,

Cassie

Friday, April 20, 2007

Autism and Sleep

Happy Friday Everyone

Cassie is a firm believer in proper sleep hygiene and I am finding that even though I am more of a night owl, I am slowly changing my sleep habits for the better. She was apalled at the late hours my children sometimes keep and suggested that maybe my son, who suffers from frequent colds, would benefit with more sleep. All well and good if there was a way to make him go to bed earlier without the nightly ritual of having to get something to eat or drink or tell me something he forgot to mention earlier. My teenage daughter, who has Asperger's, seems to be able to get by on the minimum amount of sleep and still function properly but that is not always the way with kids on the spectrum. Many have sleeping difficulties and find it not only difficult to fall asleep but also to stay asleep.

An extreme example was a child I read about in a Discovery magazine article, who had to sleep standing up leaning against his dresser because he had so much discomfort at night that was the only way he could get any rest.

All the best

Monicka

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Autism and Affection

Some autistic children - or kids with autism spectrum conditions - have difficulty in both demonstrating and accepting affection in what is considered a socially-acceptable fashion.

Visiting Monicka here in Canada and getting to know her 15-year-old daughter, Savannah, has been a real eye-opener for me and I feel extremely privileged to know such a special child. I must admit I was a little trepidatious as I've not known an autism-spectrum child before and didn't really know what to expect. But as soon as I met Savannah I could see for myself what a special and loving child she is.

When I went in her room this morning and gently woke her from a deep sleep, she gave me the most beautiful smile and it just made my day!

With much love to all of these very, very special kids and the parents that have the honor of raising them.

Cyberhugs,

Cassie

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

A Little Help From a Friend

Happy Wednesday Everyone

My Daughter who has Asperger's, works with a very special lady (Nora) who is not only a speech language pathologist but has also become a very good friend to our family. My daughter has worked with her since she was in grade school and they have a developed a closeness that has been very beneficial to my daughter's growth.

We usually have meetings with her on a bi-weekly basis and I find that I really benefit from the sessions too. She has pointed many things out to me that I have had to change in dealing with my daughter. For instance she told me that kids on the spectrum may take a little longer to answer questions. I would answer the questions for my daughter if she took a little too much time, thinking she was struggling, but in truth Nora advised me to give her more time and she will answer it herself. Nora was right on the money!! Cassie also made a suggestion that she felt would help my daughter when it came to helping her concentrate on her homework and I have every intention of implementing her idea.

If it takes a village to raise a child than we should always be open to suggestions from others without feeling offended. Others may see things that we miss and I know that I DO NOT have all the answers. Parenting at best is trial and error and a little helping hand from time to time is very much appreciated.

Happy Parenting

Monicka

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Father Daughter Bonding

Happy Tuesday Everyone

With the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs last week I have pretty much become a hockey widow and it is nice to have Cassie here to keep me company. As with the majority of men in Canada the playoffs seems to be the topic of conversation for my husband lately especially since his beloved Canucks are doing so well. I found it rather interesting that my daughter has discovered a love for hockey too. It warms my heart to see her sitting beside her Dad on the couch cheering on their favourite team. It is especially interesting since my ten-year-old son has shown no interest in watching it at all.

I have found in the past that the relationship my daughter, who has Asperger’s, has with her Father has been strained at best. They seem to be able to push each other’s buttons and many times he will send her to her room when they have a disagreement about something. He has not yet developed the patience he needs to have when dealing with her many moods. I am hoping that the bonding in front of the television that they have been doing lately is a start of something special. I have always felt like they do not have the closeness that they should have between a Father and daughter and I am usually the one she will come to if she has a problem she needs help with. Hopefully he will start to really appreciate what a great kid she really is.

Happy Parenting
Monicka

Monday, April 16, 2007

Autism - Not Just a Brain Disorder?

Monicka blogged recently about the statistics that indicate that Autism and autism-spectrum disorders are on the increase. (see Autism Statistics)

Autism has long been regarded as a disorder of the brain, probably genetic in origin. However, recent research suggests that the truth may be much, much more complex.

  • One gene, called MET, has been isolated and shown to double the risk of a person developing autism. MET is a gene that affects the nervous and immune systems, and the gut. And surprisingly, this gene is found in 47% of the population. MET is affected by exposure to various toxins.

  • There are suggestive (but not conclusive) correlations between areas of high environmental toxins and increases in autism rates.

  • A 2005 study by Carlos Pardo found that autistic patients had inflammation in specific brain cells that are important for immune responses.

  • Huge numbers of autistic children have histories of immunologically-related symptoms such as chronic ear or stomach infections, eczema and allergies
These and other findings suggest that Autism is affected not only by multiple genes but also multiple environmental factors - and that it is a complex disorder not just of the brain but of the immune and digestive systems.

Given the dramatic rise in the number of children diagnosed with Autism, and the public concern, it is encouraging to note that many new research initiatives are being launched, and new funding is being made available. In the USA, for example, the Combating Autism Act of December 2006 authorized nearly $1 billion for autism-related research and intervention between now and 2010.

Happy Parenting
,

Cassie

Sunday, April 15, 2007

Siblings and Kids on the Autism Spectrum

Happy Sunday Everyone
It is a beautiful sunny day and Cassie and I just returned from a nice walk with the dog. Cassie is doing really well jet lag wise and seems happy and relaxed. I want this time for her to be an enjoyable experience so she will want to come back; or better yet not want to leave. :- )

My friendship with Cassie is so important to me and I can’t imagine not having her in my life. Children who are on the Autism spectrum may have problems developing such friendships and my fondest hope is that one day my daughter who has Asperger's (a pervasive development disorder related to Autism) will find such a friend. In the interim she has developed a bit of a friendship with an older girl from high school but it is not the kind of friendship that will probably last. For one, her friend will be graduating this June and she will be on her way to independence while my daughter will be in the school system for a few more years yet.

For my daughter the relationship she has with her younger brother is very important to her. There is a five-year difference but they seem to really enjoy each other’s company and do a lot of things together. I think she would be a very lonely child without her little brother. For kids on the spectrum siblings play a huge part in their social development and sometimes the younger child will develop a protective role and look out for their elder sibling. My son for instance will stick up for his sister if he feels like she is being taken advantage of.

All the best

Monicka

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Metaphors for success

Appreciating metaphors is something that grows as we age. Small toddlers, or older children with autism spectrum conditions, may find metaphors completely incomprehensible.

Rather than letting your kids just pick up lots of negative metaphors, like for instance "life is an uphill struggle," or "money doesn't grow on trees," why not make a game of playing with positive and empowering metaphors. If your kids don't understand metaphors yet, they may find the simplest ones hilarious. If they are more sophisticated then you can discuss more advanced metaphors or play games to see who can come up with the funniest (positive) metaphors.

How about:

"Life is a piece of cake - chocolate cake!"

"A good idea is like a seed - plant it and it will grow into a mighty tree or a beautiful flower."

"Life is a bed of roses."

I'm sure you and your kids can think of loads more empowering metaphors to enrich both your conversations and your life!

Happy parenting

Cassie

Friday, April 13, 2007

Can't we all just get along??

Happy Friday Everyone

Cassie had a good rest last night and so far (knock on wood) seems to be coping with the jet lag really well. We had a nice lazy day at home, talking, drinking lots of tea and also watched a movie. I am really enjoying spending time with my best friend. Which brings me to the topic of today's blog,"Friendship and Asperger's"

I have read that most "Aspies" are not interested in forming any social connections, but I beg to differ. From everything that I have experienced with my daughter and other kids in her support group, is that they all would really like to fit in, the problem is they just don't know how. The movie Cassie and I watched was called Mozart and the Whale, which showed how important it is to connect with other people. No matter who we are we all need to feel like we belong. The characters in the film had problems forming friendships with others but find meaningful relationships with other Apies.

Anyone who refuses to give these kids a chance does not know what they are missing! Each child is unique and amazing in their own personal strengths and in the way they view the world. I truly believe that they are angels that are here to teach us all something. My fondest wish is that with all the airplay Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (hate that word by the way) has received recently, that the world will have a more positive view of the children and adults who are on the spectrum, and that can only be a good thing.

I found this incredible poem and emailed the woman who wrote it for permission to post her url on our blog. It is titled, "Plaint of the Aspie" I think you will find it as enlightning as Cassie and I did.




All the best

Monicka

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Your Child's Goals and Dreams

Well here I am - writing my first blog in Canada at Monicka's house! Although exhausted from the trip, I wanted to share something that I thought you would enjoy.

One of the movies on the plane was "The Pursuit of Happyness" and there is a scene in the film where the Dad and his son (both called Chris) are playing basketball and little Chris says "I'm gonna go pro!" .... his Dad kinda laughs at him and puts him down, saying I was never much good at basketball and you probably won't be great either. Little Chris is so disappointed and disillusioned. Then his Dad realises what he is doing and tells his son to always pursue his dreams. "Don't ever let anyone tell you that you can't do something, son," he says, "not even me."

It's so important to support our children in all their endevors - even if they seem unrealistic, don't take their dreams away from them!

Happy Parenting,

Cassie

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Routine and security

In an hour, I leave home for my long journey to Canada to spend a couple of weeks with my dear friend and partner Monicka. I'm thrilled to be going to visit her - my only problem is I really hate travelling. It makes me extremely anxious - and I'm certain that it is because we moved around a lot when I was a kid. We left the UK when I was seven and travelled around Israel and then Ireland - often with nowhere to stay (yes I do mean homeless).

So I was interested to hear the other day from my friend Grant who is a trainee counsellor, that he had been learning about the psychology of small children and how important it is for them to have a stable physical environment. Toddlers and small children have so much to learn about the world around them, that they need as much stability as possible. Travelling on holidays is not necessarily a good thing for small kids, especially around the age when they start walking and venturing a little further from the security of their parents' arms. And moving house can be quite traumatic.

For children on the autism spectrum, routine and stability are even more important. Monicka tells me that her teenage daughter (who has Asperger Syndrome) eats exactly the same breakfast and lunch every day - and that if the Bran Flakes have run out it can upset her daughter's whole day.

Well that's me off on my scary plane flight now, and will be very glad when it is over and I'm safe and sound at home with Monicka. My next blog will be written in Canada!!!

cyberhugs,

Cassie

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Talking about your goals

When you talk about Goal Setting with your kids, remember to get excited and show them with body language and facial expressions, as well as with your voice, how to get passionate and excited about things that are important to them.

So many of us adults lose passion as we grow older. Encourage your children to retain the enthusiasm of youth, and they will be more successful goal setters.

Watch your child to see how he communicates and what helps him understand. Does he understand better when you show him, when you tell him, or perhaps when he physically touches objects? Then you can help him by emphasizing that sense when you talk to him about his goals.

Happy goal setting with your kids,

Cassie

Monday, April 09, 2007

Hello Everyone

I am soooooooooooooooo happy!!!!!! Why you ask???? I will tell you that in only 3 Canadian sleeps and 2 UK sleeps my dearest friend in the whole wide world will be here with me. I am so looking forward to showing her my country and introduce her to the clan. Even though my husband and kids have not officially met her in person they love her dearly and think of her as part of our family.

Well that is my happy news and I have a bit to do to get things ready for her visit so please bear with me if my blogs are a little short for the next few days.

All the best to you.

Happy Parenting

Monicka

Sunday, April 08, 2007

Happy Easter

Just a short blog today Wishing you and yours a Very Happy Easter!!!

From Cassie and Monicka

Saturday, April 07, 2007

Non -verbal Communication

Happy Saturday Everyone

We all have good days and bad days and I am so blessed to have a very special friend that can always pick up on my moods without my saying a word. She can read me like a book, and all I have to do is listen to the tone in her voice and I will know if something is not right with her.

Sadly, a lot of children who are on the autism spectrum, such as my daughter are not born with this natural sense. Not to say that it can't be learned but it takes a lot of effort and I am always amazed when my daughter makes it a point to ask me if I am OK. My youngest son will pick up on my facial expression quite naturally, but my daughter needs to go out of her way to check in with how I am feeling. Eye contact is especially difficult for her but she always tries so hard to look people in the eye. Sometimes she is so intent on keeping eye contact with whomever she is listening to, it looks like she is looking right through you. Her speech therapist and I both advised her that it was OK to look away from time to time to give her eyes a bit of a rest and she is practicing that now.

I am thrilled with the fact that the talk shows are focusing on this disorder, which is increasing at an alarming rate. Up until now it was not given enough airplay and thanks to people like Larry King and Oprah that is slowly changing. Even Oprah said it was eye- opening for her and she was shocked that this was the first time she had ever featured a program on Autism in all the many years she was on television.

If you would like to know more about Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorders one of my favourite websites is, http://www.autismspeaks.org/

All the best

Monicka

Friday, April 06, 2007

What is autism?

Given the statistics that Monicka shared with you on the blog recently, it is fairly likely that your child will know someone with an autism spectrum disorder.

How can you explain something so complex to a child? They may have lots of questions if their classmate is Autistic.

To start, you can use the explanation that autism is something that some people are born with (not like an illness which you can catch) and which affects the child's brain - making it more difficult to communicate and interact with others.

Another characteristic common to many autistic children is "sensory overload" - things can look much brighter, and sounds can be much louder, to an autistic child.

Just a few simple explanations like that can help your child understand that it would be kind to go gently with their autistic classmate. To remember that the other child might not understand a frown or a smile, and so to speak clearly - in simple sentences and without complex social overtones that can be difficult to understand. At the same time, your child can realise that the autism spectrum child may also be very intelligent and be passionate about his or her interests.

And most of all, your child can learn to be kind, welcoming and tolerant to all other children, even if they are a little different - and to appreciate the diversity in their classroom!

Happy parenting,

Cassie

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Kids and Body Language

Kids can vary a lot in their ability to interpret body language - and this in turn can affect their social skills.

Children on the autism spectrum will clearly have special issues with understanding body language and some patient guidance may go a long way, particularly with Asperger Syndrome children.

Why not take the time to talk about and play with understanding body language with your children? Explain to them what different body signs mean. Show them how they can look confident by standing with their legs slightly apart and their head erect, with direct eye contact.

You can play all kinds of role-play games with your kids to teach them social skills - and have a lot of fun together at the same time!

Happy parenting,

Cassie

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Latest Autism Stats

Happy Wednesday Everyone

I was gobsmacked when I found out the latest stats for Autism or Autism Spectrum disorders in the the U.S. according to the Autism Awareness newsletter.

* 1 in 150 births
* 1 to 1.5 million Americans
* Fastest-growing developmental disability
* 10 - 17 % annual growth
* Growth comparison during the 1990s(3):
o U.S. population increase: 13%
o Disabilities increase: 16%
o Autism increase: 172%
* $90 billion annual cost(4)
* 90% of costs are in adult services(4)
* Cost of lifelong care can be reduced by 2/3 with early diagnosis and intervention(4)
* In 10 years, the annual cost will be $200-400 billion(5)

While the stats for Autism and Autism related conditions in Canada are still inconclusive according to the Autism Society of Canada website there are about 1 in 165 births and in the U.K. an estimated 1 in a 100 births.

The most shocking thing of all is that these numbers are increasing steadily and there is no apparent reason why. Kind of makes you wonder doesn't it???


All the best

Monicka

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Not Enough Time

Most parents with small children can probably empathize with what I'm going through this past week or two. A scarcity of time! Things have been going mental at work, and on top of that we had an office move which meant I was working all weekend.

The saddest thing about being so busy is that I've had hardly any time to spend with my dearest friend and partner Monicka. It got me to thinking how sad it must be for both parents and kids when they experience such busy times - especially if the kids start thinking that the parents don't want to spend time with them.

I think that the important thing is to at least take the time to get down to a young child's level and explain honestly why we are in such a rush, and to reassure them that we still love them. All kids deserve at least this much, and it must be even harder for autistic children to understand, with the communication difficulties that they sometimes have. They might not understand from your body language that you're feeling frazzled and you might need to remember to spell it out - even for older kids!

Here's hoping for a less stressed week next week!

cyberhugs,

Cassie

Monday, April 02, 2007

When You Know Better

When my youngest daughter was finally diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome at the age of thirteen, my first initial reaction was relief. Not because I wanted her to have a label pinned to her for the rest of her life, but more so because I finally had somewhere to turn. I had always suspected my daughter was not quite like other children but until the diagnosis I did not have a clue how to parent her. Suffice to say there were times when I just thought she was being stubborn and was not as patient and loving, as I should have been. Having never dealt with this in my other children it was all trial and error for me and I regret to say I did not always do the right thing when it came to my daughter.

The night of the diagnosis, I wept uncontrollably and felt totally inadequate as a parent. What if I did the wrong thing and didn’t help her to develop to her highest potential? I knew our lives would never be the same and I had to learn new ways to parent her in order to help her thrive.

This was all a bit daunting and a huge responsibility but I found so much support and information available to me that I knew in my heart we were going to be OK. I realized is better to know than to be in the dark when it comes to having your child diagnosed with Autism or an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

My daughter at fifteen is thriving and we are developing a great relationship. There are still days when I catch myself and have to reevaluate how I communicate with her because she is a teenager and that in itself has its challenges.

My advice to any parents who have children who have Autism or fall in the Autism spectrum is to learn everything you can. There are special programs that will help your child and also a lot of support for you and your family. To quote Maya Angelou, “When you know better, you do better.” Knowing is half the battle and will help ensure that you do the very best for your child.

Happy Parenting
Monicka

Sunday, April 01, 2007

Goal Setting and Social Skills

Some children are natural socializers and fit in with other kids with ease - without even thinking about it.

But many are not so lucky. Shy kids, kids who have had to move a lot and in particular kids with some type of autism may find it difficult to interact with their peers.

For kids that have these kind of difficulties, it can feel sad, scary or even depressing to go to school, play with others at the park, or meet new people.

Goal setting can help with these problems as it can with many others. Encourage your child to take baby steps and set achievable goals. It might be a good idea to avoid goals that require a lot of input from others like "I'm going to have a best friend who will walk to school with me every day," or "I'm going to be voted president of my sports club," - rather, focus on what your child can achieve by taking baby steps towards better social skills all on his own. For instance, "I'm going to remember to give my three favorite people at school a big smile at least four times this week!"

Help your child develop his social skills with mini-goal setting like this and maybe in a year's time he really will be able to have the best friend he has been dreaming of!

Happy goal setting with your kids!

Cassie

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