Moving from Fear-based Parenting to Connection-based Parenting

Dear parents, I want you to observe your thoughts for a week. I want you to note down the thoughts that cross your mind regarding your child and yourself as a parent, and categorize these thoughts into two categories - positive thoughts and negative thoughts.

I, then, want you to analyze the negative thoughts that cross your mind and evaluate where they are coming from. Are they based in the past, the present, the future, or a combination of all three? Your thoughts could be coming from an unresolved past, a stressful present and/or an uncertain future.

I want you to divide your negative thoughts into three categories:

1. Negative thoughts that are based on your unresolved past.

2. Negative thoughts that are based on your stressful present.

3. Negative thoughts that are based on the uncertain future.

In Conversation with Asha about Her Journey and Special Needs

In conversation with Asha about her journey and special needs.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Asha Sreedhar and my age is 34. I work as a Quality Associate at SAP Labs India Pvt. Ltd. through the Autism at Work Program.

 

What are your hobbies and interests?

My hobbies are:

• Reading novels and articles

• Watching Netflix Movies

• Listening to music

• Traveling

• Playing online computer games like Scrabble, Pictionary, Bingo, etc.

 

Behavioral Challenges in Autism

Many parents of children with autism are confused about which behaviors they need to address and which they don't, and become overwhelmed as a result. I am listing the most common behaviors observed in children with autism under two categories - behaviors that need to be addressed and behaviors that don’t need to be addressed.

Behaviors that put the child or others at risk need to be addressed. These include:

Medically challenging behaviors - food refusal, eating non-food items, splashing urine, smearing faeces, self-harming, walking on toes.

Physically challenging behaviors - hitting, biting, scratching, pinching, kicking, pulling hair, head-banging, throwing things.

In Conversation with Rashmi about Her Journey and Special Needs

In conversation with Rashmi about her journey and special needs.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Rashmi Patil. I am 24 years old. I have done my Diploma in Nrityayog Sutra through YCMOU. I am a national level Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer. I am also an art teacher and take workshops for children with special needs. I own an online handmade jewelry business called Rashmi’s Art since six years. My jewelry has travelled all over the world. I am also a make-up artist and am trying my luck in the field of modeling at present.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I love to travel. If not in person, I travel virtually with the help of Google. I like to read books. I enjoy watching memes and reels on social media. I love to watch drama and web series. The best time I spend is chatting with my mom and playing with my dog.

In Conversation with Aahan about His Journey and Special Needs

In conversation with Aahan about his journey and special needs.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Aahan Patel and I am 22 years old. I am studying B.A. in English.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I like listening to music, dancing, drumming, playing video games, playing cricket, watching movies and doing social work.

What are your future goals?

I want to be better in listening and understanding English and be a good listener. I want to be a calm person and not get anxious unnecessarily.

In Conversation with Samiksha about Her Journey and Special Needs

In conversation with Samiksha about her journey and special needs.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Samiksha Nair. I am 18 years old. I am currently doing Grade 12th from NIOS Board.

What are your hobbies and interests?

My hobbies are listening to music and watching movies. My favourite actor is Leonardo Di Caprio. I have watched many of his movies. My favourite movies are Titanic and Inception.

What are your dreams and goals? 

I wish to become an actor and act in Hollywood movies. I plan to do acting courses after my Grade 12.

In Conversation with Anandita about Her Journey and Special Needs

In conversation with Anandita about her journey and special needs.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Anandita Kumar. I am 20 years old. I am studying Bachelor of Arts in Pune University and training to became a music therapist.

What are your hobbies and interests? 

My hobbies are playing drums, dancing and cooking.

Tell us a little bit about your journey.

My journey has been wonderful because of my parents, my sister and my teachers. They helped me a lot in my journey.