Blog-a-thon: Day 1

I’m excited to get back to writing/blogging on a more regular basis. I invite you to travel along with me as I begin  my own personal mid-summer blog-a-thon.   My intention is to share inspiration and information for the journey of living well with autism, whatever YOUR autism may be. Autism is a metaphor for life’s challenges so in a way, we are all living with autism in some form or another.


“Breathe” works for wee ones too!

Last week I was sitting in the waiting room at LIFE, the center where  my son Kyle goes to occupational and music therapy. This is a wonderful place, hence the 55 minute drive one way to get there each Tuesday. Besides his amazing, insightful, and very patient therapists (Angela, Kathleen, & Rich), I am often impressed by the  staff/child interaction I observe in the halls and waiting rooms.

Every Tuesday, while I am waiting for Kyle to finish his OT session, a group of little ones  files through the waiting room on their way to the therapy room for PE. These are all very young kiddos with special needs of some type. Usually, someone is crying/tantruming on the way in or  out. As the group was going in last week, a boy began screaming and crying. Ever so patiently, his teacher spoke gently to him reminding him he would not be able to join the class for PE if he continued to scream.

What I saw after this was very special! She asked him to take some deep breaths. This little guy (no more than about 5) got quiet and took a few deep breaths. He was adorable as he tried so hard to take those big exaggerated  breaths. I couldn’t help but smile. Then, lo and behold, he was able to get himself together and stop crying for awhile. After that, he could use  words to tell his teacher what he wanted.

Once again, I got to experience the magic of the breath but in a different context. 
Does this mean “Breathe” can work at  any age? I believe so.

This scenario could have gone so many ways particularly if the teacher had chosen to match the boy’s upset with her own upset. His teacher was a shining example of being responsive rather than reactive. She appeared so calm as she taught a powerful lesson.  I imagine it was a lesson she needed to teach often with this particular boy.  And, I imagine she must have been  “breathing” too :-).

I was moved  as I got to observe “Breathe in action”. What a great reminder of the beauty, simplicity, and effectiveness of the simplest tool. Breathe!

Comments (2)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

north face outlet locations
written by north face outlet locations, October 22, 2012

While a factory outlet just can't be found anywhere, you will find cheap north face jackets outlet stores in main shopping destinations across the country. You will find also obtainable north face outlet locationsdiscounted products on the web for people who do not have access to a North Deal with outlet.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

...
written by northface jackets, October 29, 2012

The warmest winter down jackets come in many different shapes, styles, sizes and weights, Choose the best warm down jacket best breast cancer north face loved by many people depending on what is important to you, Some down jackets offer safety precautions while others may focus more on style. The warmest winter down jackets come in many different shapes, styles, sizes and weights, Choose the best warm down jacket depending on what is important to you, official north face down coat well known know Some down jackets offer safety precautions while others may focus more on style.

• 
• +0
• 
• 

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment