Mental health tips for parents
of preschool kids with autism
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | APRIL 16-APRIL 22, 2021 17
BY SHERYL FRISHMAN, JD, LMSW
We are in unprecedented
times. In addition to all of the
daily worries and struggles, as
parents ofyoung children with
autism, the added difficulties
including the coronavirus,
being stuck at home, all the
uncertainty, our children’s behavior,
virtual learning, and
basically just trying to keep
our household in order can be
extremely anxiety provoking.
Feeling anxious, sad, alone
and even helpless are normal
feelings during this difficult
time. This is not easy.
Now, for just a moment, I
want you to STOP reading and
take a deep breath in and then
breathe out. Please do this several
times. I promise we are going
to get through this!
Here are some mental
health tips during this difficult
time:
Acceptance
Acceptance is necessary
during this time. Try to accept
that we will not have all the
answers for the foreseeable future.
Also try to accept that you
are doing the best that you can
at this moment. Finally, try to
accept that this is a really hard.
Acceptance does not mean that
you are ignoring your feelings.
Instead, it means holding your
feelings and still being able to
move forward.
Limit the fl ow of
activating information
Social media and the news
inundated us with information
prior to the coronavirus. Now, in
particular, the flow of activating
information is everywhere. For
those who have anxiety or are
developing anxiety this constant
news cycle can be overwhelming.
The more we have access to this
information, the easier it is to remain
in an activated state, and it
can exhaust our nervous system.
I recommend setting up a scheduled
time to check in with news
daily because of course it is wise
to remain informed. However,
try to only check in during your
scheduled time. You may want
to set up a buffer, i.e., time away
from activating sources, before
bed and before you attempt to
spend quality time with your
family.
Mindfulness
It is a huge buzz word because
it works! Mindfulness
does not only mean meditation.
While creating a meditation
practice is a worthy goal,
mindfulness can also be found
in smaller, attainable changes.
In this context and during
this difficult time mindfulness
refers not to emptying
the mind, but to being present
in the moment. Worrying
about the future is not going
to help and only cause more
anxiety and stress. Paying attention
fully to what you are
doing in the present moment
with purpose and intention is
something that can really help
at this time. If you find your
mind wandering, that is OK
– noticing that IS being mindful
and then gently return you
mind to what you are doing. If
you feel yourself becoming activated
there is a short mindful
exercise that I find very helpful
– square breathing. Take a
minute and center yourself by
doing this it will be helpful.
Square breathing
1. Close your eyes. Breathe
in through your nose while
counting to four slowly.
2. Hold your breath inside
while counting slowly to four.
Try not to clamp your mouth
or nose shut.
3. Begin to slowly exhale for
4 seconds.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 at least
three times for a total of four.
Special needs resources in
New York
14Y Inclusive Youth
Classes
14Y’s Inclusive Youth Classes
are back in person to keep
your child active and engaged
after school and on weekends
this spring! Youth classes,
for children ages 3 to 12, are
open to all abilities including
children with disabilities/
special needs or children who
need any additional support.
Taught by professional teaching
artists, youth classes give
your child the opportunity to
hone their skills and express
their creativity in a focused,
supportive setting.
Current offerings include
ballet, soccer, tennis, watercolor
and comic book making,
and are rolling admission and
prorated. Learn more and
register today at 14StreetY.
org/YouthClasses. Contact
Cat Kenny, manager of School
Year Youth Programs, at
CKenny@14streety.org or call
646-395-4339 for more information.
(14th Street Y, 344 East
14th St. at First Avenue)
Atlas Foundation For
Autism
The Atlas Foundation
for Autism houses the Atlas
School as well as speech, OT
services, music, after-school
classes, and weekend social
skills groups! Atlas is different
in its approach to working
within modalities that address
communication, emotional
and social thinking, as well
as behavior and self-esteem!
(Atlas School, 252 W. 29th St.,
Third Floor, 212-256-0846,
info@atlasforautism.org)
Camp Huntington
Camp Huntington is a co-ed,
residential program for children
and young adults with special
learning and developmental
needs. Their summer camp
and weekend camp programs
are designed to maximize a
child’s potential by locating
and developing strengths and
hidden abilities. Your child
will enjoy the fun-filled days of
summer camp while learning
practical social and life skills.
They offer a unique program
approach of adaptive therapeutic
recreation, which combines
key elements that encourage
progress: structured programming,
nurturing care, a
positive setting and academic
instruction to meet IEP goals.
Their campus is located in the
beautiful hamlet of High Falls,
NY, within the Catskill Mountain
region. (56 Bruceville
Road, High Falls, 845-687-7840,
camphuntington.com)
The IDEAL School of
Manhattan
Experience The IDEAL
Difference at a Virtual Open
House. The IDEAL School
of Manhattan is New York’s
only K-12+ independent inclusion
school. In their diverse
and nurturing community
and within their robust academic
program, IDEAL students
recognize their potential
to effect change and are
equipped with the tools to do
so. They strive for excellence
in and out of the classroom
and recognize and draw out
the potential for excellence in
their peers. Learn more about
their unique program at a
spring virtual open house:
Lower School (K-5), April 8,
9 a.m.; Upper School (6-12),
April 15, 9 a.m.; kindergarten,
April 23, 10 a.m.; Next
Steps (postsecondary), May 7,
10 a.m. (314 West 91st St. New
York, 10024, 212-769-1699 ext.
10209)
HEALTH
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