Category Archives: Resiliency

Meltdowns and the Lens of Ableism

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Meltdowns – from the other side… Many, many months back Colin Bowman and I began a conversation in the comments section of one of my posts (Yours, Mine and Ours: Autism, Self-Advocacy and Setting Limits). This interaction has been resonating … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, acceptance, Autism, Behaviour, Communicate, limits, Resiliency, Shame, support | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Relaxed and it is soo good: Meeting Sensory Needs…

Posted on September 29, 2013 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

It is interesting for me to consider H’s sensory needs and how these seem to have shifted and changed over time. In many ways his sensory processing differences are not as obvious in terms of needing accommodation as they once … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Resiliency, Sensory Processing Disorder, SPD, stim | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Managing Overwhelm… The Beauty and Utility of Lists

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I am gathering resources to make it through the final week of school. Not actual learning resources, but personal resources, energy, stamina, resiliency… remembering to breathe… I didn’t do much this weekend… I am keeping some parts of myself, my … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, limits, Resiliency, work | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Feet on Ground… Heart in Hand… Be Yourself…

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I know one thing for certain… I am not going to get this whole motherhood thing completely right. I know there are things I do well, and that there are also things I need to work to do better. I … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, Autism, childhood, Jann Arden, Journey, Moms, Parent, relationships, Resiliency | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The Spectacular Joy of Inventing

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Inventing… the idea becomes the prototype… and onward from there! H made the hot sauce for me as imagined/dreamed up the other night (see Spice of life!). Um ya… it is aptly named: Twitching Corpse Hot Sauce! Today he is trying … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, diversity, Flexible thinking, inventing, Resiliency, self-directed learning, Space and Pace | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Strengths, Stretches, and Autism: More Lessons from the Thrift-Shop

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

H and I are the same in many ways: we don’t really like shopping or malls but we love the thrift shop with its lure of the find and the potential of treasure. Buying H’s clothes there means they are … Continue reading →

Posted in aproximating typical, Autism, Autistic Shadow Traits, Goals, limits, Neurotypical, Parent, Resiliency, self-advocacy, SPD | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

Building Stilts and Resiliency

Posted on January 5, 2013 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

H built stilts yesterday. His dad, Craig the Amazing, has offered to build some wooden ones with him, but apparently H couldn’t wait. Here is his prototype… Pretty cool, really… Then one of them broke – or more like… tore. … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Father, Flexible thinking, Resiliency | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Social Hangover…

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Anyone else have a social hangover? Fortunately, Craig and I are on the same page. He says we should just hole up in our burrow and embrace the priorities of Hobbits… (Well, maybe really geeky Hobbits…) Second breakfasts… Tweensies… Afternoon … Continue reading →

Posted in Aspergers, Autism, limits, Resiliency, Social Hangover, Sometimes the pace chooses me... | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Supporting Special Interests: Strength-based opportunities for development

Posted on October 28, 2012 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

H has been working on a project for weeks and weeks… I believe, however, that he has been planning it in his head for months. The potential for skill development embedded within this sort of self-directed special-interest project is enormous! … Continue reading →

Posted in Aspergers, Autism, executive function, good enough thinking, internet, Parent, Plan B, relationships, Resiliency, self-directed learning | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Yours, Mine and Ours: autism, self-advocacy, and setting limits

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Originally posted on Thirty Days of Autism:
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,…

Posted in acceptance, ASD, Aspergers, Autism, calm, Flexible thinking, handling discomfort, Resiliency, self-advocacy, visual strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment