12/08/2023
This wasn’t supposed to happen!
A little over a year ago, Ann came to me looking for help engaging with her son and helping him learn to communicate.
Her son has severe autism, and it has been especially challenging because even though they live in a large city, there is a lack of cutting-edge autism services there. Driving to distant in-person services was costly, and Ann was tired of packing up all SIX of her kids to leave the house!
She was initially concerned that having virtual services might be too expensive, but she found that it’s been a fraction of the cost of traditional therapy! She also worried that virtual appointments might feel intrusive. On the contrary, she has learned that she loves learning how to help her child in the setting he is in most of the time (their home), and using his favorite toys, blankets, and other comfort items.
After a few months of working with me, Ann shared that her son was experiencing some big shifts- not only was he learning a LOT more words, he was looking people in the face and playing games with his siblings! This feeling of engagement and connection, even above and beyond his growing communication skills, is really what Ann wanted deep down. And that’s something most speech or behavior therapy, or even school programs, don’t really address for parents.
She attributed these changes to elements of the Playful Parents program, like discovering her child’s unique sensory profile, learning how to follow his lead, and getting direct feedback from me about her interaction techniques. These are all part of my signature program.
Recently, Ann shared that her son “has had the most growth EVER” since working with me virtually. Traditional therapy, doctors, and even insurance companies will tell you this type of progress is only supposed to happen through expensive, 1:1, in person services. But families like Ann’s are proof this simply isn’t true.
Helping autism parents shift from stressed and anxious to connected and enjoying time with their child gives me more fulfillment than you could ever know.
And while I can’t promise this happens as quickly for all of my clients as it did for Ann, I’ve learned over the years that when parents put in the time using the evidence-based strategies I share, their children really do make significant gains in their development and social functioning.
I have room in my schedule for 6 free Relationship Roadmap consultations in the next couple of weeks, to make sure you start 2024 off right with resources and tools to support your relationship with your child.
So… do you know an autism parent who is tired of wait lists, high therapy costs, and really just wants to develop a joyous, connected relationship with their child? Please share this post with them!
And if this IS you? Send me a DM, I’d love to help.
P.S. No diagnosis needed.
