"My approach to intervention is rooted in respect for child development and focuses on making the mundane meaningful, looking at daily interactions as opportunities for learning and growth while respecting the uniqueness of the individual and family. It’s about setting high expectations for long term quality of life and relationships for individuals on the spectrum and implementing a specific and doable plan to get there one step at a time.”
– Lauren Wilson, LCSW, RDI® Program Certified Consultant

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Quotable Sundays: Dr. Suess

And I'd like to think the same can be said of the person who speaks. :)

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Quotable Sundays: Thanksgiving

I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving week!

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

 On Thanksgiving Day, all over America, families sit down to dinner at the same moment - halftime.  ~Author Unknown  :)

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Spotlight the Problem not the Solution Published on Forging New Pathways Blog!

What a great honor!  I have been so moved by the comments from folks.  I'm so thankful that the article has been helpful for people.  I have learned so much from so many it feels wonderful to be able to do something small to give back!




If you haven't already bookmarked the blog you might consider it.  The topics are varied and so interesting! :)

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Quotable Sundays: Winnie the Pooh

“Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh," he whispered.

"Yes, Piglet?"

"Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw, "I just wanted to be sure of you."” 

- Winnie The Pooh

I tell ya, that Winnie the Pooh has some good ones.  


I remember reading a few studies on individuals with autism and stress levels.  As you can imagine, they found individuals living day to day with unimaginable amounts of stress hormones in the system (cortisol).  Of course this comes as no surprise.  It's a normal physiological reaction to massive amounts of unproductive uncertainty.  It can and does happen to all of us- at small doses.  The level and amount that individuals on the spectrum found themselves at that heightened level... oy.


When I read this quote those studies popped in my mind... what really stuck however... was the experiences families have had reducing that stress by stressing quality over quantity of everything.  And from this change of focus and priority comes a change in relationships.  From a child withdrawing more to one turning in.  One who finds safety among others.  Who reaches out for comfort.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Practical Ideas

This was shared with me and I have to say I was pretty impressed.  Some of the recommendations left me scratching my head, however, what a great place to start and get some fresh ideas to modify for your particular child or student.  Recreating the wheel is exhausting,  finding folks who have already done some of the work is a huge time saver.

Concerns and A Smogusborg of Interventions

You'll notice on the homepage there is a Jeopardy board of concerns, click on one and it will open up to a list of interventions to try.  Click on those and it will give you some specific examples.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Quotable Sundays: Winnie The Pooh


“If the person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.”
- Winnie the Pooh

Ah the wise words of Winnie the Pooh.  This quote reminded me of the profound patience and faith we use when we commit to using experience sharing/declarative communication.  At the beginning oh how it can feel like you are talking to walls! As if there is fluff in your partners ears. 

And then slowly and sometimes without warning those seeds that you've have planted with commenting and silence begin to bud.

It never ceases to amaze me.  Declarative communication is powerful.