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Read more about the article Top 3 Tips for Helping Your Teen With Autism Get Back to School

Top 3 Tips for Helping Your Teen With Autism Get Back to School

The transition from summer back to school can often be a challenging time for children and teens, especially for youths on the autism spectrum. Because autism covers a large spectrum and presents differently in every person, there are several ideas for ways to help your teen or child with autism feel that they belong and have significance during this time of change. Keep reading for top 3 tips for helping your teen with autism get back to school.

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Read more about the article Quick Connection: The Power of Walk and Talks

Quick Connection: The Power of Walk and Talks

Have you ever tried a walk and talk with your teen? This could be a walk for exercise, sure, and it can also be entirely leisurely. In either case, walk and talk is communication strategy, a tool to remember when you have a pressing idea to process with your teen or when you can tell they are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or frustrated. Being next to your teen, or "sideways talking," as opposed to face-to-face, can open the space for conversation-- literally and metaphorically. This orientation often feels less confrontational and more spacious for young people. For some teens, it can be safer to be next to adults when it comes to tough conversations and topics, or even asking for help.

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Read more about the article 10 Keys to an Intentional, Easeful Back to School Season

10 Keys to an Intentional, Easeful Back to School Season

Some children and teens can't wait to get back into the routine of school; they might be excited to reconnect with friends, to resume extracurriculars, to get out of the house more. And others are dreading getting back to campus; they might resist or fear the structure, the workload, the socialization, the pressures. Regardless of where your teen is on this spectrum of back to school feelings, they are likely experiencing the energy of transition. And you too! Keep reading for 10 keys to an intentional back to school because the more aware we can be through this change, the more easeful this season will be.

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Read more about the article 5 Tips for Promoting a Positive Relationship Between Teens, Food, & Their Bodies

5 Tips for Promoting a Positive Relationship Between Teens, Food, & Their Bodies

Some of my most stressful moments, as a mom of three, are around what my children are consuming in the form of food and media. I cannot always control what my children see and hear. I can’t control how much my children eat or what they eat. I CAN control my reaction and I CAN control what I say and do in regards to MY food and body. Keep reading for 5 tips for promoting a positive relationship between teens, food, and their bodies.

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Read more about the article Real Talk for Teens: Back to School

Real Talk for Teens: Back to School

This article is an invitation for teen readers to self-reflect and visualize a positive back to school experience. You are invited to create a vision of yourself living your best life next school year. This visualization is one that you can return to any time you start to feel bummed out or anxious or overwhelmed before school starts. It can also be used when you are at school, and you’ve caught an emotion that is weighing on you or keeping your mind in a place of worry. Furthermore, you can create and invest in this visualization as a safe space for you to access, a way to comfort and take care of yourself.

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Read more about the article Quick Connections: Asking Curiosity Questions

Quick Connections: Asking Curiosity Questions

Asking curiosity questions to the children and teens in your life will not only increase their engagement (which brings confidence, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and so much more along with it), but it will also give you, as the parent or caregiver, more room to breathe. Keep reading to learn how to use curiosity questions in a wide range of opportunities!

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Read more about the article Coaching and Therapy: A Deeper Look into Healing Practices for Teens

Coaching and Therapy: A Deeper Look into Healing Practices for Teens

Get a “behind the scenes” look at the work of a coach and therapist that specialize in working with teens. Lindsay Camp LMFT of Austin Teen Therapy, joins us for a Q and A about coaching and therapy. We explore similarities and differences in our practices and share about our unique philosophies.

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Read more about the article Quick Connection: The Power of Breath

Quick Connection: The Power of Breath

Parents, caregivers, and supporters, I invite you to give this practice a try. Become aware of how it changes your own mood and energy as you face challenges in your own life. Then, notice how your breath can change, impact, and support the environment you facilitate with and for the children and teens in your life. Breath can be a powerful tool for talking to teenagers about the tough stuff!

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Read more about the article We All Need to Belong and to Be Significant!

We All Need to Belong and to Be Significant!

As humans, we all have a desire to belong and to be significant. Positive Discipline teaches that every behavior a child or teen exhibits is an attempt to confirm that they belong and are significant. Today, we focus on how YOU, as a parent or caregiver, can use this concept as a foundation for intentional living.

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Read more about the article Self-Encouragement as Self-Care and Connection: A Practice for Parents

Self-Encouragement as Self-Care and Connection: A Practice for Parents

As the parent of a teen, it can be truly powerful to practice self-encouragement. This involves practicing self-compassion, acknowledging that you cannot control your teen, and giving attention to “successes.” Keep reading for a daily self-encouragement practice.

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