When it comes to parenting a child on the autism spectrum, don’t you wish that there was a book with all the answers? A roadmap to helping them grow and thrive? Each autistic child is unique and there are no “one size fits all” solutions to making sure we’re meeting our children’s needs. We may not know what to do at any given time, but we must trust that we have the strength within us to figure it out…to find and, sometimes, fight for their therapies, services, schools and programs.
And if the right ‘thing’ doesn’t exist? We must find the courage to create the solutions ourselves because if we don’t do it, who will? Throughout the blogosphere, you’ll encounter resourceful moms and dads, siblings and grandparents who had no choice but to dive right in and do just that!
I have tremendous respect for one such mom, Lisa Smith of Quirks and Chaos. She has been cultivating and building friendships for her son, Tate. For many children on the autism spectrum like Tate, developing friendships can be a challenge. Through education, coaching and teamwork, Lisa has created a community of teachers, parents, therapists and peers who eagerly participate to help Tate thrive. Tate’s peers consider him a valued member of their class and treat him as an equal. So successful, People Magazine got wind of the “Lunch Buddy Program” and featured Tate and his friends in the magazine.
Read the rest of the article here.
Lisa and I created “The Friendship Kit” which provides more details about Tate’s Lunch Buddy Program. It includes the flyers, permission slips, disclosures and class story Lisa uses as a framework from which you can create your own materials based on your own unique situation. I know that you’ll be inspired and take away some strategies you can try.
