Life Skills Lady

Leisure skills are life skills.

Sometimes, for our kids who have autism, activities that are leisure skills can be something that is feared.

We were prepared for a loveley paddle down the inland waterways.

I reserved a tandem kayak with elevated seats, anticipating it would be less intimidating for Alex.

My role would be to paddle, while Alex relaxed and enjoyed the view during our leisurely journey.

As a parent of a child with autism, I am familiar with addressing and overcoming fears.

Alex and I have worked together to conquer many fears through desensitization programming with great success.

Desensitization programming has opened up his world and made it less small.

Thanks to desensitization, Alex enjoys going down the huge slide at fairs, going on motor boats, going on an airplane, and other activites that increase life‘s enjoyment.

 I have now identified another fear for Alex to conquer.

Or at least I hope he can conquer Kayaking because it will be something he truly enjoys. 

Here’s the thing, conquering fears could be a crucial life skill for individuals on the autism spectrum.

While I would never force anyone to do anything they are truly afraid of, it’s important to recognize for our kids with autism that being able to participate in activities is a life skill.

Sometimes specific activities are anxiety producing for our kids and they refuse to participate.

Thats okay!

The next step is to figure out if the activity is something that your child could eventually, with support and desensitization programming, could learn to tolerate, enjoy and even come to love.

You see, I know my son, and I know that once he gets over the fear of sitting on that kayak, he will absolutely LOVE the experience of gliding on the water and enjoying nature.

This is obviously where we really have to know our children and when to push and how much to push.

 Kayaking, here we come.

This means several trips down to the Shoreline to practice sitting on the rental kayak.

Is there a leisure activity that your child is afraid of?



6 months ago | [YT] | 0

Life Skills Lady

This is what consistent routine looks like! 💪✨

This morning, I asked my son Alex to grab the clean laundry basket, and then he just disappeared! 🤔

Alex has autism.

Alex is non-verbal.

Alex has an intellectual disability.

Alex is capable of having a meaningful, purposeful life and he does!

So I thought he’d be chilling in the laundry room or hanging out in the hallway, just waiting for the next cue, but nope, he was nowhere to be found!

There he was where we always fold the laundry and he had already dumped it out, and started the chore on his own! 😍✨

Honestly, I shouldn't even be surprised because this is the result that years of consistent routine creates.

Your Advocacy + Life Skills = Quality of Life

Does your child with autism do chores?

#QualityOfLife #lifeskillsforkids #autism #autismacceptance

9 months ago | [YT] | 1

Life Skills Lady

Wow, the Profound Autism Summit was absolutely amazing! So many incredible speakers highlighted how crucial it is to enhance the quality of life for our loved ones with autism. 💖✨

This is nothing new to me and drives my mission here at The Autism Life Skills Lady. It all begins with those essential life skills, and honestly, the earlier you start, the better!

Hey everyone! 🌟 Check out my website to discover how you can weave quality-of-life skills into your child's IEP. Let's make a difference together! 💖 www.lifeskillslady.com

#autism #autismawareness #specialneeds #qualityoflife

9 months ago | [YT] | 1

Life Skills Lady

Boston Profound Autism Summit, I'm thrilled to be here, expanding my advocacy expertise and exhibiting The Life Skills Lady, my passion project. #autism #Autismawarenessmonth

9 months ago | [YT] | 2

Life Skills Lady

A successful collaboration between SELF (Special Education Legal Fund) and SEEK (Special Education Equity for Kids of CT) led to a fantastic turnout at the resource fair. It was a great opportunity to connect with the community and provide valuable resources for special education support. #CommunityEngagement #SpecialEd #Autism

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9 months ago | [YT] | 0

Life Skills Lady

Can your adult child with an intellectual disability and autism vote?

The presidential election is coming up next month.
Will your adult with autism and intellectual disability vote?

My son Alex has autism and an intellectual disability.
He's been voting since he turned the age of majority
(18) here in Connecticut, where he is ALLOWED TO VOTE!!!

NO, he would not be able to vote in all states:

• 7 states deny the right to vote to: "idiots or insane persons."

• Others deny the vote to those of "unsound mind, non compos mentis, or those who are not of "quiet and peaceable behavior."

• 16 states bar those adjudged mentally incompetent or incapacitated from voting.

• 4 state constitutions bar people "under guardianship" from voting.

I've learned that the general rationale for putting these restrictions into state constitutions was that people who needed state assistance (whether because of poverty or disability) were isolated from the rest of society; losing the right to vote was one of the freedoms they gave up in exchange for the support the state gave them.

Thankfully, here in Connecticut, our statutes allow for individuals with an intellectual disability to vote.

As Alex's guardian, I am allowed to assist him in the voting process.

I respect everyone's right to vote for whomever they choose for their personal reasons and for what is important to them. It's important to me to help Alex vote for the candidates who will support the issues that are vital to him.

I like to share our first experience voting together, especially given the fact that so many people like Alex are denied the right to vote, and for the issues that are vital to them.

Does your state allow your adult with an intellectual disability to vote?

#intellectualdisabilities #autism #Vote2024 #Presidential

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1 year ago | [YT] | 1

Life Skills Lady

2 years ago | [YT] | 1

Life Skills Lady

I wish I had known Feda and her son, Mu. I was so thrilled when we “friended” each other on social media because she was an autism advocate doing amazing work for severe autism. She was an autism superstar in my eyes!

If you don’t know about The September 26th Project highlighting the profound safety issues facing our families, please watch this.

As The Life Skills Lady, I can’t say enough about reminding us all that being prepared for fires and other emergencies are health & safety life skills.

#autismmom #autismmoms #autismfamily #safety #lifeskills #heros

2 years ago | [YT] | 0

Life Skills Lady

Expressions can be conversation stoppers for many students with autism.

Why?

Expressions, or idioms, are full of double meanings that can cause confusion around the non-literal language.

I want to share mv love of expressions with vou so vou can practice them with your autistic or neurodiverse child. The more expressions you child can use will increase their communication game.

#autismmom #autismparent #autismparents #communication #expressions #idioms #practicemakesprogress #

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2 years ago | [YT] | 1