Alison has 2 children and lives in Bay Village.

What do you do to relax?

Cook, walk, breathe

What benefits has Connecting for Kids brought to you and your family?

It has helped me meet with other parents and I have used resources from the website.

Which have been your favorite Connecting for Kids resources?

The CFK Service Provider Directory although I love meeting people when possible. 

The area where I have grown the most...

Patience and not taking it personally or feeling like it is a reflection on me as a parent when my daughter acts out.

The bad habit I picked up...

Giving into my daughter to avoid a meltdown. My older son is a typical child and I rarely did that with him.

What I worry about most…

My daughter's future as she will never be able to live independently.

Do you have any recommended resources such as blogs, websites, or books that we can share?

I have started going to a support group which meets one Tuesday night a month at Bay Presbyterian church which I like.

Is there anything else about your journey that you would like to share with other parents?

Just that it is a journey- there is no end or magic cure for my daughter's challenges so patience and acceptance are key for me.

Chris has one child and lives in Macedonia.

What do you do to relax?

Yoga, hiking, reading

What else would you like to tell us about yourself?

I am passionate about promoting brain-based, heart-centered approaches to helping all kids. I think this is the key to repairing our society,

What benefits has Connecting for Kids brought to you and your family?

We’ve enjoyed the opportunity to connect with other families, such as with the Play at the Playground outings, yoga, etc. I can’t describe how nice it is to spend time around people who understand us and can relate to our challenges.

Which have been your favorite Connecting for Kids resources?

Probably the online community. I learn so much from reading through questions I would never have even thought of and the wonderfully informed answers they get.

The area where I have grown the most...

Is in my patience. I was always known to be pretty uptight with a short fuse. But having a kid who is the same was like looking in a mirror and I eventually realized something had to change. I sensed first that we needed to keep our environment more calm, but I didn’t know how. Umpteen books and Facebook groups later, I learned how to see the whys behind our reactions to things and have gotten into the habit of stepping back and saying, “OK, I think I’m feeling anxious about…”. And now I’m teaching my child the same thing.

How parenting a child who struggles has changed my ideas on parenting…

It has been truly transformative. I used to believe in a no-nonsense authoritarian style of child rearing that was sure to shape the blank slate of a youngster into a model citizen. Ha! It was only a few years in when I found myself completely baffled and realizing that children are born uniquely themselves and that I needed to rethink everything. Learning the neurology behind behavior was what did it for me. Understanding the roles of the amygdala and the child’s still-forming frontal lobe brought to light why I was seeing the behaviors I did and what to do so my child’s brain could send himself messages of safety and calm.

The most difficult part of parenting a child who struggles...

Is having to live in a society that still values sameness and very old-world approaches to parenting/teaching. We just don’t fit in with a lot of that and even though our lives are inherently good at this point, it’s hard to live among the “normal” families who stay clumped together and only make the occasional goodwill gesture toward the neurodivergent community. It can be a lonely life, but we’re slowly finding our community.

Do you have any recommended resources such as blogs, websites, or books that we can share?

Here are my absolute favorites…

Books/authors:

Mona Delahooke’s Beyond Behaviors, Stuart Shanker’s Self Reg, anything by Ross Greene, anything by Dan Siegel/Tina Payne Bryson.

Facebook groups/pages:

Greg Santucci Occupational Therapist, Tilt Parenting, Calm the Chaos Parenting by Lemon Lime Adventures, CFK Families (of course!)

Twitter:

Not an Autism Mom, The MEHRIT Centre, Kelly Mahler, Stuart Shanker, Dr. Mona Delahooke

Is there anything else about your journey that you would like to share with other parents?

I always say it’s not so much a journey but a pilgrimage. But through it all, we’re becoming some pretty strong, amazing people who are raising strong, amazing kids!

Annette has 3 children and lives in Olmsted Falls.

What do you do to relax?

MaryJo lives in Fairview Park and has 3 children.

What do you do to relax?

Read

What else would you like to tell us about yourself?

I struggle with depression, anxiety and ADHD.

What benefits has Connecting for Kids brought to you and your family?

CFK has offers support through its Coffee and Chat programs which brings together families who have children with similar diagnosis.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself the day we got the diagnosis I would say...

You will make it. It’s going to be hard, it will seem unfair, but we can do hard things.

The best way I asked for support was...

Registering for Coffee and Chat support groups and reaching out for respite care.

The most difficult part of parenting a child who struggles...

Trying to navigate the world in an effective way for my child. Looking at a scenario or certain atmosphere and asking, “How will my child respond to that?”

Do you have any recommended resources such as blogs, websites, or books that we can share?

I blog about significant events but also find support in Finding Coopers Voice and other similar blogs.

Is there anything else about your journey that you would like to share with other parents?

We have struggled through severe behaviors and a hospitalization. It may feel like you’re in the trenches and like you’re being dragged through mud at times but it’s not always going to be that way, asking for help and accepting it is key to survival through this season of life.

Jill has one child and lives in Elyria.

How are you and your family dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic?

My husband works from home now and we don't go out nearly as much as we used to. We spend a lot of family time watching movies at home.

What do you do to relax?

Watch terrible reality TV shows.

What benefits has Connecting for Kids brought to you and your family?

We have met other families with challenges like ours through CFK.

Which have been your favorite Connecting for Kids resources?

The CFK Complex Needs Facebook group.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself the day we got the diagnosis I would say...

It's all going to be alright. Your child will do her very best because YOU will do your best.

What I worry about most…

When my daughter will no longer be here. Her life expectancy isn't long and the thought of being without her takes my breath away.

The hardest thing for me to learn was...

To have patience. I still struggle with this. I have to be the nurse, the driver, the therapist, the research team, etc. All while waiting on others to do their job, especially the insurance companies!

Do you have any recommended resources such as blogs, websites, or books that we can share?

Check out A very SPECIAL NEEDS Christmas on Facebook. It is filled with amazing ideas.

Is there anything else about your journey that you would like to share with other parents?

We always remind ourselves to "Just keep swimming.”

Meghan has two children and lives in Parma.

How are you and your family dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic?

It’s been hard but it has brought us closer as a family. Staying in more often and playing board games, and watching movies.

What do you do to relax?

Yoga, take time for myself.

What benefits has Connecting for Kids brought to you and your family?

Every year I have found many awesome resources at the Connecting for Kids Meet and Greet. I have met amazing people including a woman whose ministry is hosting free retreats for moms who have kids with disabilities (Shepherd’s Well). Connecting for Kids always provides such helpful resources and they don’t leave anyone out. The organization has information on so many topics.

Which have been your favorite Connecting for Kids resources?

Coffee and Chat programs. It’s been great to give and receive support from other parents that struggle with some of the same things we do. I’ve enjoyed meeting new people that I would have never met if I didn’t have my child.

What I worry about most…

What my daughter will do when we are gone.

The area where I have grown the most...

Patience and learning that it is okay to struggle. Leaving the idea of what I thought was perfect behind,

The best thing about parenting a child who struggles is...

Through my child, we have encountered amazing therapists that have worked with her. It’s also given us the opportunity to teach her sibling that it is okay to be different. For me, it’s helped me to focus on the positives and has taught me how to break out of my shell. It’s been awesome watching her hit each milestone and being proud of how much she has overcome. We have watched her grow as a person, knowing she can overcome anything.

Dina has 3 children and lives in Avon Lake.

How are you and your family dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic?

The pandemic has impacted us significantly and added even more stress in addition to our family moving to a new country. There were months of living separately and this is not over yet as my husband is still abroad. Given this, I have no other choice than managing all by myself and making sure everybody stays healthy. We love sports and this helps a lot. We also have became much more flexible, open to new things, new connections, etc. We love traveling and explored several states during the last couple of years. I am very thankful to people who supported me through this difficult time, and there were so many. Our school does an amazing job supporting the kids and they had a great time in the summer camp for kids with disabilities, Finally, most of the changes of the last couple of years proved to be positive.

What do you do to relax?

Sports

What benefits has Connecting for Kids brought to you and your family?

Connecting for Kids has provided information about resources I can tap into for my kids.

Which have been your favorite Connecting for Kids resources?

Music Therapy & More

My greatest lesson learned is...

To be patient and work in small steps. It may take months and years for goals to be achieved.

What I worry about most…

My son with autism’s lack of self-regulation and self-control. He is behind in certain academic skills too. He gets very frustrated that he cannot achieve the same goals as his peers and this gap becomes more and more visible. I worry that I cannot help him to deal with this frustration.

The hardest thing for me to learn was...

Not to compare his achievements to other kids.

Do you have any recommended resources such as blogs, websites, or books that we can share?

The books Sensory Integration and the Child by A. Jean Ayres and Engaging Autism by Stanley I. Greenspan.

Tatyana has 2 children and lives in Bay Village.

How are you and your family dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic? 

Our family has been taking it day by day. We do all we can to protect ourselves and others. Although it hasn’t personally affected any of us (thankfully), our hearts ache for those who have had to fight this terrible virus. 

What do you do to relax?

Read, exercise, or watch a movie.

What else would you like to tell us about yourself?

I am a stay at home mom to my one and three year old. I am always looking for fun and interactive activities for them to do and we love the Connecting for Kids programs.

What benefits has Connecting for Kids brought to you and your family?

We love it! It's great for both my kids ages.

Which have been your favorite Connecting for Kids resources?

Music Therapy & More.

The area where I have grown the most...

Learning to be patient with my children and their emotional needs.

When my child's behavior gets out of control, I feel...

Helpless, sometimes. Other times I realize that it's okay and it will be okay.

The hardest thing for me to learn was...

That parenting is more so about learning things about yourself than learning about your child. I've learned so much about who I am from becoming a parent and I am so grateful for this opportunity to love and nurture my babies the way they should be.

Do you have any recommended resources such as blogs, websites, or books that we can share?

I currently have my own blog website where I write about gentle parenting methods. Connecting with your child on an emotional level so they always feel loved and understood. My blog site is The Mindful Mom blog.

Claudia lives in North Ridgeville and has three children.

How are you and your family dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic?

The pandemic has been a challenge for my family. Virtual schooling was a novelty at first, but my kids quickly lost motivation to do the work and missed the opportunity to socialize with friends. Although I'm glad they are back in school, I still worry about the possibility of them getting sick with the virus. Even though we are taking things day by day, I also worry about the long-term effects the pandemic is having on my family’s mental health and mine. It's exacerbated my kid's depression. Sometimes, I feel helpless in what I can do, but I rely on my support system to get me through and it makes all the difference.

What do you do to relax?

Binge watch Netflix.

What else would you like to tell us about yourself?

I'm a mom warrior for my kids’ needs!

What benefits has Connecting for Kids brought to you and your family?

Provided opportunities to hear speakers on topics relevant to my situation.

Which have been your favorite Connecting for Kids resources?

The Facebook page and the Speaker Series featuring Gary Tonks from the Arc of Ohio.

My greatest lesson learned was...

I don't have to be perfect, but being consistent is key.

What I worry about most…

Is my son's future and what will happen to him when I'm gone.

The most difficult part of parenting a child who struggles is...

Feeling helpless to do anything that will work for my child, and the loneliness I feel when others don't or aren't willing to understand our struggles.

Do you have any recommended resources such as blogs, websites, or books that we can share?

Milestones National Autism Conference and The Arc of Ohio

Is there anything else about your journey that you would like to share with other parents?

It's definitely not a sprint and I'm stronger than I could ever have imagined.

Carly lives in Strongsville with her husband, Bill, and their two sons.

How are you and your family dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic?

Although the pandemic has been challenging, we have taken the time to reconnect but also to set boundaries and learn to take time to ourselves.

What do you do to relax?

Yoga, watch TV, spend time in nature, date night.

What else would you like to tell us about yourself?

I'm also a kindergarten teacher and I like to learn strategies to use with my own children as well as my students.

What benefits has Connecting for Kids brought to you and your family?

I learned about NEON from the Connecting for Kids Facebook group. Before things shut down, I attended several events, including the resource fair and a behavior speaker

Which have been your favorite Connecting for Kids resources?

I like the Facebook groups and live events, especially the Speakers Series.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself the day we got the diagnosis I would say...

You can do this. No matter what happens your child with special needs will be ok and you will be ok.

What I worry about most…

What my son's future holds. Will he be able to drive? Go to College? Hold a job? Live on his own?

The hardest thing for me to learn was...

To be vulnerable, to share our diagnosis and story with family and friends. I kept it a secret for a long time and just shouldered it all alone and I wish I would have reached out for help sooner.

Do you have any recommended resources such as blogs, websites, or books that we can share?

I love finding books to read to my children and students to explain coping strategies. Some of my favorites are the Julia Cook books and the What Should Danny Do series.

Is there anything else about your journey that you would like to share with other parents?

My son has epilepsy and ADHD. He also struggles with gaining weight.