ASD Warrior

In this episode of the ASD Warrior podcast, Cathy talks about fear, having to figure out how how to navigate, how to in some ways control the chaos, how to support and lead, and at some point let them lead.

In this episode of the ASD Warrior podcast, Cathy does the recap of last week's episode with Joel Bosserman.

Interview with Joel Bosserman. He has been on the podcast before talking about his professional experience working with kids on the spectrum. Now he is talking about his son's recent diagnosis and how his experience gave him insights in leading this journey with his son.

In this episode of the ASD Warrior podcast, Cathy talks about learning, how learning happens, and how education has changed a lot.

In this episode of the ASD Warrior podcast, Cathy talks about IEP thoughts, core standards, some of the great things that you can do in the IEP process, knowing what the goals are and how your child can potentially get there.

In this episode of the ASD Warrior podcast, Cathy talks about some big life stuff. one of the great things about pausing in the present at the moment is you get to see a lot of big life stuff.

ASD Warrior is back! In this episode of the ASD Warrior podcast, Cathy talks about her hiatus, why it took longer, the things she learned, and future plans for the podcast.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about taking a short pause, to regroup and to recharge.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy shares their Halloween story. How Halloween has been with a child on the spectrum, really identify the difference between real and imaginary. And thankful for the life and the journey.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about the gap. Why it's so important to get your PhD in your child, identifying the gap between triggers, disconnections and connections.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about sharing success and what that looks like. The changes and growth that we go through and the opportunity that we received to lead this journey with such amazing children. That we have to change our expectations. Not only in what they can accomplish and when they accomplish it, but when they do how it is received. And maybe it is something that we just get to cherish and make our own. And we have to learn to make that enough.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about getting a PhD in your child. taking a moment and digging deeper than just strengths and weaknesses, but how they respond, how they think, what they do. So you can give them the most sense of peace, confidence, and accomplishment.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about career opportunities. What the future looks like for your kids.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about pushing, building trust, establishing boundaries, knowing your child. Having your PhD in your child is so important as they gain momentum, as they learn new different things and they start to trust themselves, their environment and you, and they experience life in the way that they should.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about the importance of a PhD to you and your child. All the things that it allows you to see and support and fight for and be the warrior that you need to be and getting everything that you know your kids need to thrive and to be the best person with the greatest amount of success and confidence that they can be.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about independence, what it looks like, how it manifests in our lives and what it allows us to do, and also what it costs. Career, life and trying to look at opportunities and strengths.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about the new dog, the moments you have with your wonderful kids, the insights that they have, the joys and wonderment that comes out of being a parent, and the amazing things that come out of having a child on the spectrum.

In this episode of the ASD Warrior podcast Cathy talks about defining success. What that looks like, how to own it, how to guide every one that's in your child's life so that you know what it looks like, that you are going in the right direction and fueling your child's success.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about social school thoughts. the changes, the things that happened last year, the things that are still ever-present, adaptation, feeling of belonging, and connecting.

This episode of ASD Shorts is a follow-up to the episode where Cathy talked to her other children and their perspective of what was going on in the early years.

In this episode of the ASD Warrior podcast Cathy talks about Self Advocacy. The ability to self-advocate and the various levels of ability to communicate, to be present in the moment. How we can help and what we can do to make things better.

On this ASD short, I'm going to talk about the night before school starts and for most. Maybe a lot of parents, it's. Oh, thank God they're going back to school.And having two older children that were air quotes normally developing, I was always thankful, right? Because I'm like, oh, I'm tired. I'm tired of trying to fill that empty space of what they are or aren't doing or trying to keep them occupied with summer school.And it was just a different kind of energy. Right. And it was a different kind of expectation. But it's so different when you have a child on the spectrum. It's so different when you go through an IEP and you're really looking at that and you're starting the school off, you know, strong.You're trying to get goals that you're trying to get a vision board done. And things that we've talked about in kind of the differences is it's not to say that those kind of strategies couldn't be beneficial to all children, but for us, because there's such a gap sometimes at different times in their education.And what we have to be aware of, you know, kind of anticipating it's a lot. Right. And so it's the night before he starts tomorrow. And my world is going to change tomorrow. You know how I manage my day, the expectations I have for myself, the accountability I had to myself and to him and to myhusband and to my family, it all gets a little bit more complicated because I do have to be so involved. And partly it's the journey for me of being a home school teacher, as well as having the resource center teachers available so that it's kind of a combined effort.But because there's a lot of academic teaching and gap-filling that I do, it's like going back to school for myself. You know, I'm having to learn real history this year. I'm going back to Algebra one this year.And we're doing some new things like forensic science and CSI crime investigations and science this year. And we're doing a speech which I love. And, you know, I'm also creating a class that's life skills kind of centered more around career identification and development.But it's really talking about independence and what that looks like for the future. And though I'm excited and I'm thankful I get to do it because of my circumstances that I'm in right now, it's also a full-time job and it's a full-time job and I don't get paid for.Right. So sometimes there's no, like, oh, my God, it is so good. So I get to buy myself a new purse or this, that and the other, but I get to look at my child. And he's doing amazing, right?But I'm having anxiety tonight before it starts because I know what's ahead, right? It's the work. It's the work that's worthwhile, no question. But work nonetheless. And so I'm trying to get an early night's sleep and drink lots of water and try to figure out my workout schedule so that I can keep my anxiety down andall the things that we do to kind of self regulate so that I can give my son the most and then really hope that I get it. And what I mean by get it is how I guess how to do some of these things I haven't done since myself in high school.And I'm not going to say my age, but it was quite a while ago and be effective. Right. And really understand the journey that continues to go and the advocacy that continues to be. And when you put that in full swing and you've got such critical years, he's starting 10th grade.And these are kind of really important years for us to investigate strengths and really get an idea of independence. Teaching companies, coping strategies, teaching them self advocacy in a way that really perpetuates as much of a normal life that they can have and be expected to have.And that is the benefit. But I also want everyone to know that I get it. How different and hard it is sometimes because I feel it tonight as I'm running around getting the first-day outfit, making sure as backpacks ready, he's got all of his supplies and his pencils sharpened.And not to say that he doesn't help me with that book, but he does. But it's that kind of next step. And what I used to feel like, oh, OK, good. They're back in school now. I'm like, oh, it's yeah, he's back in school.And my nights change. My days change. And, you know, that journey is different. And I, again, couldn't be more thankful for it to do it. But I'm also acknowledging that I'm like taking it all. I can do this right.Get ready for the change. Get ready for the work, get ready to not only learn subjects but then figure out how to teach them to him and understand the hurdles. And how do I backtrack a little bit to give more input, to teach more effectively so that the outcome is learning, not just passing tests.And that is something that takes a lot. And I'm glad to do it. And I know you all are, too. But I just want you to know I'm with you and I feel that and I know the struggles and the ups and downs and we can get through this.And in the end, we do have the most angelic, wonderful kids in the world. So until next time, I hope you have an amazing week, I hope. You started your school is good. And that's a journey that is presented in front of you as something that you feel successful at.But you're also challenged and you learn more to benefit your child so that in the end, they walk into rooms, head held high, shoulders high, chest popped out, and they know who they are. They know their strengths and they're confident to be there.Until next time. God bless.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about more thoughts on why a PhD. Identifying the gaps, figuring out what do you need to do, build confidence, achieve more success, and build social connections.

5 life skills/life lessonsempowerment and authority.following your heart and having dreams.living for today/being present in the moment.effective communication.being optimistic.[2:57] Empowerment and authority[3:26] Following your heart and having dreams.[10:25] Living for today/being present in the moment.[15:55] Effective communication.[22:46] Being optimistic.  

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about frontloading. How to use frontloading content, visuals, and videos to affect the ability of your kids to learn and how knowing beforehand builds confidence.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about transitioning back to normal. Some of the things that we learned having classes in zoom, what we learned and how does that make us stronger.

[1:18] Guest introduction.[4:09] Back to school preparations.[15:18] Generalization.[21:45] Learning through reenactment.[33:09] Educating parents in a very supportive way.[38:51] Success story.[46:02] ASD toolbox. 

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about goals, daily plans, and how we show success every day while attaining the bigger goals that we have in play.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about vision boards and how important they are.

Back to school tips:Vision board.Goal setting.Action plans.Communication plans. 

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about being present in the moment, being a part and inclusive of things that are going on around you.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about drum lessons, how they got there and finding something fun for Nate to do.

In this episode of the ASD Warrior podcast Cathy talks about creating the ideal communication plan for the year and how to get the ideal relationship with your ASD team.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about your kid's individual struggle and making sure to check-in with them before you have your own reaction and making sure you're not perpetuating the problem.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about being mindful of old behaviors as a parent and knowing your safe places.

In this episode of the ASD Warrior podcast Cathy talks about ABA therapy, some of the things to consider base on what's available, resources and your child's strengths.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about coping with anxiety.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about stimming, recognizing when and why you did it, how it manifested and changed over the years with maturity and social impact.

In this episode of the ASD Warrior podcast Cathy talks about mainstreaming, when to consider it, what things to consider in deciding if it's something that's right for your child, who you need to have at the table and what you need to know about your child.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts, Cathy talks about the family bed. getting more connected and closer with your kids and other benefits.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts, Cathy talks about strengths, knowing what you're good at, what you should be doing and doing things you want to do.

In this episode of the ASD Warrior Cathy is with David Monson. They talk about making emotional connections, realizing you can't compare your kids to you, trusting in the journey and letting it happen, the shielding system and so much more.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts, Cathy talks about getting her groove back, becoming stronger, better at life and parenting.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about IEP Strategies, this is step 4 of 4.

In this episode of the ASD Warrior podcast Cathy talks about making friends, some of the things to think about, ways to guide this process and getting more people into the conversation.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about IEP Strategies, this is step 3 of 4.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about IEP Strategies, this is step 2 of 4.

In this episode of the ASD Warrior podcast Cathy talks about bullying/targeting. How it starts, what it looks like when they're younger and older, how to get your kids prepared for those moments, how to standup for themselves. How to understand it and more importantly how to teach other parents to really help their kids identify when they're doing it and what it looks like, how to have a lot more respect and understanding for the differences that all kids have.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts Cathy talks about IEP Strategies, this is step 1 of 4.

In this episode of the ASD Shorts, Cathy reflects on Nate's first IEP. Supports and expectations, getting people excited about working with your child, game plan to analyze outcomes and identifying successes and celebrating.

Today on ASD Warrior Cathy is with Sara Vickers to do a year in review. They talk about the challenges of distance learning, advocacy, communication, working in collaboration and defining success.