Mar 05 2025 24 mins
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I address how to help children navigate group participation designed for neurotypical children, such as Sunday school, sports and summer camps, and offer practical advice for parents. I share my personal experiences as a mother and educator and explore how identity and family stories contribute to a child's courage and belonging. Drawing inspiration from Amber Johnston's book "A Place to Belong," nurturing a strong, harmonious family story to combat societal pressures.
In this episode you'll hear about:
- Helping Children Navigate Participation in Neurotypical Groups
- Importance of family and faith in forming identity
- Double empathy problem: communication gap between neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals
- Role play scenarios at home
- Focus on strengths
- Allow breaks for regulation
- Supporting an Autistic Child with Severe FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
- Reframe FOMO as an issue of prioritization and commitment
- Importance of teaching prioritization (executive functioning skill)
- Create rituals and visual calendars
- Addressing fear aspect of FOMO
- Coping skills and regulation techniques
Links and Resources From Today's Show
- Why Should I Seek Occupational Therapy?
- Anxiety and Sensory-Based Coping Skills For Kids- The OT Toolbox
- Addressing Childhood Anxiety- OT Strategies For Calm
- The Anxiety Toolkit
- Episode 31: Cultivating Calm
- Connect With Me On Instagram
- If you need help implementing these strategies, book a call with me!