Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #45: MP-Talking with Teens Keys to connected conversations  Calm your own system Sit down Ensure a visual conversation as a focal point Make statements Get out of fix mode - listen without solving Slow down - give processing time - only talk as much as they talk Teens with and without autism can be tricky to talk with sometimes. But there are some basic tenants to keep in mind that should make conversations not only more relaxed but more connected and two directional.  First and foremost, calm your own system first of you will set yourself up for failure before you even start. If your teen struggles with regulation, they will be borrowing your calm (or borrowing your stress). Next, be sure to figure out how you can have a seated conversation. Our bodies are more likely to go into fight, flight, or freeze mode when we are standing than when we are seated. And the awesome byproduct is that you are much less likely to put your teen’s system into ...

Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #44: MP - Find Your Playful Side I have a lot of parents who come to me uncertain as to how to really get into the mindset to play. We are all in our busy lives full of to do lists and schedules. It is hard to get in the moment and relax enough to play and sometimes even when we try, we are left not sure what to do!  I created this podcast for those of you who are wanting to learn how to find your playfulness that works to support your child with autism to play with you.  Here are the steps to take to find and embellish your playful side:  1. Relax your body near where your child is sitting or in the path of where your child is running or moving safely. Plant yourself for your own groundedness as well as for your child to know where you are as they play – get predictable to start.  2. Observe your child ’s movements, what they are learning or exploring.  Is it the way something shimmers in the light?  Is it the w...

Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #43: MP - Quick tip for easier transitions Welcome to another episode of my mini-podcasts. This one is particularly brief and I hope, particularly helpful. Most autists have some difficulty transitioning from one thing to another and may need some support to do so successfully. Listen in to a quick and easy tip that can make it easier. I had to laugh the other day when I was trying to remember why I walked from one room to another. You know, I am of THAT age now. So I went back to the location in my house where I started to try to remind myself of what I was doing. When I figured it out, I thought to myself, how can I stay focused on my goal this time? My goal had been that I had needed to call someone but needed the phone number from a piece of paper I had in my bedroom. So I decided to bring the phone with me and keep it in my hand. This reminded me why I was walking from one room to another. Seems simple, right? And it worked great. Well, this is e...

Synergy Autism Podcast · Episode #42: MP - The Importance of Play with Barb O'Neill Hello and welcome to a wonderful episode of the Synergy Autism Podcast. Today we are going to talk about the importance of play for connection in our lives, especially with young children and since this is an autism based podcast, especially young children with autism. I’ve invited Barb O’Neill here for this podcast. She is an expert in play and child development.  I appreciate Barb’s approach in early childhood to really step up the play and engagement with children - especially those with challenging behaviors. Barb shared a little bit about her  background and how she came to this passion of working with children and teachers. Barb and I talk about  how play is possible for all children of all ages and how important play is for true connections with one another and also within ourselves. In the autism world, we often get hung up on skill development and we forget the importance of...