As I accompany my almost 13-year old son, H, on his journey of self-advocacy, I am becoming more and more aware of the importance of self-understanding. This is more than self-awareness, rather it is the understanding of how one is impacted and the ability to effectively communicate what one needs. In order to support my son in becoming an effective advocate, I need to understand my own limits and model strategies to navigate this, and as well, support my child in honouring his own.
I have been thinking about limits: the edges of ourselves… that place where we interface with the world. Our limits and where we set them are the control valves for our emotional, social, physical, cognitive, and sensory experience. These boundaries are the meeting place between ourselves, others, and the world around us, and they deserve our mindful attention.
I have been told I am patient with my child and with my students… that is because I use strategies to support them before I am at my limit. Let me explain…
As a parent I have often considered that with my own children it is important for me to set my limits, the place I draw the metaphorical line at a place different from, separate, and well before, my level of frustration. If the limits we convey to others are at the same place as the end of our level of…
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Thirty Days of Autism 