Does this sound familiar?
It’s January 1st.
All you hear about is everyone excitedly talking about their New Year’s resolutions —
“Travel more!”
“Learn a new language.”
“Eat healthier”
Meanwhile, you’re just trying to get by and thinking:
“My child and I are barely holding it together after the winter break. The “new us” is not for us. We just need some more stability and peace, and less pressure and judgement.”
If you’ve ever thought this or felt this way, know that you’re in the right place because traditional New Year’s resolutions aren’t for everyone. For many children with ADHD and autism, this can actually be toxic way of being.
So, let’s ditch is form of goal-setting and find resolutions that actually work for your neurodivergent children and for the adults who support them. Let’s welcome this new year in a gentle and neurodivergent-friendly way.
Actionable Steps:
#1. Start with Precise and Achievable
Neurodivergent children need goals that are to-the-point and achievable. It gives them a real chance gain momentum and to succeed.
Instead of creating a goal like, “Clean my room every day.”
State, “Spend 5 minutes putting away all of my toys in the toy bin.”
#2. Focus on Strength and Skill
Focusing on what a child cannot do or is struggling with, can cause them to feel overwhelmed and as though they are always just trying to keep up. In this case, they may give up and not achieve their goals.
Instead, look at what makes your child feel excited and what they can already do. Combine this with a skill that they are working on developing. This will keep them motivated and it will develop confidence over time instead of shame.
#3. Make Visual Boards
A cA child with ADHD and autism will do much better if they can see their goal on a daily basis instead of being expected to remember it. So, create the following to keep their goals front and center:
- Create an image your child’s goals.
- Turn it into a weekly picture checklist.
- Create a celebration board with milestones that you’ll celebrate together.
These visuals will create predictability and a sense of safety, which will allow your child to feel successful.
Recap:
Let’s recap really quickly. Today, we looked at the following:
- The reason it’s important to ditch toxic resolutions.
- How to set ADHD and autism-friend goals for the new year: start with precise and achievable, focus on strength and skill, and make visual boards.
Free Resources:
To help you along this journey, check out the goal-setting resource in my FREE Education Resource Library.
Teach your little ones how to make good choices with the following FREE Resource:
Next Steps:
If you found this video beneficial, would you do me a favor? Share this with your family, your friends, your loved ones, your co-workers or someone who you think could benefit from this. Thank you!
You’re welcome to join us inside ADHD and Autism Self Regulation by CLICKING HERE or on the fallowing image.
I’ll see you next Friday at 5:30pm PST.
Until I see you next time, remember to create, experience & teach from the heart.
Take care,
Charlotte
Disclaimer: I’m a teacher and a parent. I’m not a medical professional, so please don’t take this as medical advice. The advice that I provide in my videos and online are strategies that I have used in my own class or at home that have worked beautifully.
