Free Your Child!
I have written before on the pro’s and con’s of labels, and this post is far from a debate or discussion on that topic. It is simply a reminder that words and actions are powerful and have an incredible effect on our children.
So find some ways to ‘free your child’ from what may restrict them in life:
- Find opportunities for your child to see themselves in a positive light - help them to see what they are good at and what is great about them.
- Put your child in an environment, and in situations, where they can succeed.
- Talk positively about your child to others - and let them hear you saying great things! Having a special person believe in them and speaking proudly of them will do wonders for their self-esteem.
Too often (even without us realising), our children with autism have limits placed on them simply through the language we use and the actions we take around them.
Take the time to create an environment for your child’s life that is full of potential and belief - ‘free your child’.
October 18th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
I agree and when I posted this blog to my group below is the message I wrote to go with it. Thank you for stating the obvious.
DEB
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All though this post is about common sense treatment of our children, we forget (myself included) about the child’s feelings. Some actually assume thru ignorance; that autistic children don’t have feelings, others just don’t understand them for what they are. We fall into the same trap the rest of society does by assuming that because they can’t speak they can’t communicate either. I have come to realize that if we, the parents, grandparents, caregivers, avocates, anyone who is envolved in the child’s life; were to slow down and REALLY pay attention we would soon realize that our kids are communicating with us ALL the time.
It took me awhile to learn this leason, and it was at the hands of Bill Stillman who himself is a man that lives with the autistic experience. I invite you to check out his website at: http://www.williamstillman.com/index.html
DEB
October 18th, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Free your child. I like that, and really good advice!
October 19th, 2007 at 4:14 am
Excellent post! My daughter was born with a major birth defect and this has been a goal in our family since day one. It is SOOO important to build self esteem right from the start!
October 20th, 2007 at 12:21 am
What a good reminder, great post, thank you!