What will I learn over the
8 weeks?
Here is an overview of what you'll be learning over the course of the program.
1
Week One: Why do I keep getting triggered?
"I shouldn't get so angry. I know my child can't help what they're doing."
This is the catch cry of many parents raising a child with special needs. This first module helps you make sense of stress, depression and anxiety can why you get reactive, even though you know not to.
In this module you'll learn:
- The four specific thinking lenses (viewpoints) we look through that trigger stressful emotions and lead to depression and/or anxiety.
- To let go of perfectionism and pressure to get everything right (even your child's life).
- Understand more about the mindset behind common overwhelming emotions
- How to prevent angry outbursts with your children.
2
Week Two: How do I accept my reality and stay calm?
This second week helps you to begin changing your mindset when faced with the challenges of family life with an autistic child, so that overwhelm doesn't become your default.
In this module you'll learn:
- Increase your distress tolerance & learn flexibility when things don’t go to plan or your children are not co-operating.
- Learn how to find the hidden good in the bad.
- Apply the 5 step TRACK Process to you and your life
- Apply the 5 step TRACK Process to working on your child’s behaviour
- Change your thinking to reduce emotional distress
3
Week Three - The Mindset Game Changer
Week Three becomes a game changer. You will apply your newfound positive thinking skills and mindfulness skills to ANY situation that will keep you solution focussed and out of overwhelm.
In this module you'll learn:
- In the moment exercises to train yourself to find your calm.
- Learn the Three Steps to Acceptance of Chaos
- Learn how to stop anxiety around the future of your child’s life.
- How to stop anger and guilt in their tracks.
4
Week Four - Getting Focussed on Change
When you know what you don't want, you know what you do want. Trouble is, we keep focussing more on what we don't want, and don't get clear on setting clear and realistic goals.
In this module you'll learn:
- What is your child’s behaviour communicating?
- Learn how to get curious about the real motivations driving your child’s behaviour
- Get clear on the specific goal you’re going to work towards to get you out of survival mode (emotions of stress).
- Become mindful of any agendas or fears that might be behind why you’re working to change your child’s behaviour – is it for them or is it to change them unnecessarily?
5
Week Five - Behaviour Management Strategies Part A
While this module is not designed to replace your child's OT, or behaviour support therapist, this week is about de-personalising your child's behaviour and getting curious about it instead.
In this module you'll learn:
- Common Behaviours associated with Autism and which need to be targeted for change to help your child function in life.
- How to create the right environment to support your Autistic Child – emotional and physical environment
- To recognise existing dynamics that could be contributing to your child’s behaviour
- To know the difference between accommodating for your child’s needs and giving into their demands
6
Week Six - Behaviour Management Strategies Part B
Carrying on from the week before, you will continue to learn strategies to understand your child's behaviour, help your teach your child emotional regulation, mindfulness to calm down, life skills and a healthy mindset for life.
In this module, you'll also learn:
- How to handle aggressive behaviours.
- The difference between a tantrum and a meltdown.
- Helping your autistic child to handle anxiety.
- Learn how to teach all your children a healthy mindset and positive self-worth they will adopt for life.
- Knowing when to use rewards, punishment, give choices, when to be flexible and when/how to be consistent.
7
Week Seven - What about the rest of my family?
This week we specifically look at the other relationships that are going on in the family.
In this module, you'll learn:
- How to alleviate guilt and pressure related to raising your other non-autistic children.
- How to deal with Sibling Rivalry
- What to do when your partner is not on the same page as you.
- How to take care of your marital relationship during challenging times.
- To understand how men and women think and how the way we each communicate can cause unnecessary problems in a relationship
8
Week Eight - Mindfulness, Time Management and Keeping It all Together
This final week will bring you tools to stay present in each moment, manage your time so you can fit in everything you need to and want to do without stress and give you some final pointers on how you can bring everything together that you have learnt over the last 8 weeks.
In this module, you'll learn:
- Mindfulness tools to keep you present and in the moment (instead of focussing on past ‘failures’ and future worries that haven’t happened yet).
- How to manage your time effectively to include everything you want to do and everything you need to do.
- Final lessons on how to deal with the continual highs and lows of life and not losing your identity within it all.
Live
Support
Remember throughout this program you are getting professional live support 7 days a week for the entire 8 weeks!
You are never alone in this program! For the entire 8 weeks you will be receiving professional counselling support by way of our Closed Facebook Group Plus 4 x Live Fortnightly webinars with Jackie Hall so you can get any of your questions asked along the way.
That means whenever you get stuck with any situation you're facing, or you just need support for a rough day, we will be there for you alongside a group of parents all learning through this program too.
That isolation you often feel as you're travelling along this journey? That won't happen by being a part of the PSC Family!
