Image Map

Monday, July 25, 2016

Independence: What's Most Important?

What are the most important things to do in developing independence? I want to preface this blog post with something I said in the beginning of this series. IT'S All ABOUT PERSPECTIVE! One thing I have learned it, "I can't do it all when it comes to this special needs life. I have to choose what's most important. It all depends on the child, the family and a host of other factors.

 

I know that many families put a priority on taking care of a bedroom. Is the bed made? Is laundry put away? Does the child put things away he has gotten out? It is the 'ole "there's a place for everything and everything should be in it's place." For some families this is a priority especially if the child's anxiety is lowered by structure and predictability of this physical surroundings.

Social skills that lead to independence are a bigger deal to other families. This can show up very differently. Does this mean that the child learns to go into lots of different environments and know how to handle them? Does this mean he can go into a few invironment said and know what to do even in the most trying situations? Does this mean he can deal with peers and do what they are able to do in common situations such as buying treats and interacting with peers during rest time at a public pool. It also could mean being able to have a part time job without needing a job coach.

Social/emotional/maturity skills is another area some families feel is a priority. This involves helping a child with transitions, facing disappointments, understanding concepts like anxiety, empathy, dealing with non preferred tasks. It is about the child's emotional development and handling and less about individual skills involving tasks.

All of this approaches are valid. Depending on the child and the family dynamics, one of these will probably rise to the top. Just because one is chosen for this season of life, that doesn't mean that it will always be the approach a family uses. For the rest of the summer, the posts will revolve around these three approaches to independence. Please join me!