One Step = One MaxiStep

Sometimes,

making that

first step

is the hardest.

Maxisteps©2009

Developing and Maintaining Self-Esteem

Building up and maintaining children’s/young adults’ self-esteem is vital for a positive life.

One idea I made for my son was an achievement book, full of little goals that he had reached during the year.

I purchased a blank A5 size note book, made sketches, glued in personal photos, added magazine cuttings and linked these with achievement wording (see example above). It worked like a treat, before long the achievement book was full, and we were ready to tackle our second booklet.

These merit books still give my son so much 'reflective joy', he is very proud to show them to his family and friends, especially with all the stars.

If you remember Obama’s winning speech from 2008 “Yes We Can”, then try saying “Yes I Can” enough times and you will start believing it.

Remember to write at the beginning of the booklet “Yes I Can”, or another preferable catchy phrase. Now set some reachable goals (example brushing my own teeth, making my own bed) and just go for it!

Everybody loves being shown how well they are doing,

no matter what age.

YES I CAN : YES I CAN : YES I CAN : YES I CAN

My Big Wish

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and may we all be blessed with Peace on Earth and Good Health.

(downloaded from http://www.youtube.com/)

Brain Waves Are Window into Autism Language Woes

Here is an article that I received this morning from US Autism and Asperger Association, Inc. USA http://usautism.org in their Newsletter.

If you click on the link below you can read the article in full :-http://www.firstcoastnews.com/printfullstory.aspx?storyid=124989

The brain wave study used noninvasive technology called magnetoencephalography, MEG for short. It measures magnetic fields generated by electrical currents in brain nerve cells, and records brain activity in real time.

Unique brain waves patterns, spotted for the first time in autistic children, may help explain why they have so much trouble communicating. That delay is only a fraction of a second, but when it's for every sound, the lag time can cascade into a major obstacle in speaking and understanding people, the researchers said.

Roberts, the study author, said the findings fit with a leading theory that suggests autism is "a disorder of connectivity in the brain."

Keep It Short & Simple

I adore the word "Simplicity" it can mean freedom from confusion and offer clarity by breaking down a complex issue into short simple and clear information.

Many Special Needs Children and Adults suffer from disorientation and overload of sensors before they even sit down to try and learn something, so it will always help firstly to address the sensory issues and then proceed clearly with the task in hand, remembering the acronym K.I.S.S. Keep It Short & Simple.

MaxiSteps is focusing on K.I.S.S.

Having A Good Posture

As a child I can remember in the evenings sitting at the family dining table, no sooner had I relaxed and slouched down then whack, my father gave me a quick flick on my knuckles with a spoon, I would automatically sit up straight to attention. At the time I thought he was too military with me and was always getting on my case. Now I can thank him for all the hundreds of times he reminded me to keep my back straight. Thanks Dad I am grateful.

Guess what, history repeats itself, I am doing the same thing with my own son, verbally of course with a little push in the back. Although we are in another time of history some things have not changed, our spines serve us better and longer by giving them some respect, straight at that.

I have become quite observant how many people have bad postures, more and more I notice young children, including children with special needs. According to my friend “Ted the fitness guru” he explained how it takes strong discipline to command your brain to remind your body to operate, the body more than often looks for the easy way out, it’s lazy, this also applies for facial muscles, remember to smile!

Incorporated into the MaxiSteps project is a section on posture. Let's get it right from an early stage, we can avoid a lot of pain later on in life.

Time Out

To all of my blog followers, I have been looking after a poorly family member for the last week, so please bear with me. Hope to be back blogging a.s.a.p. Kind Regards x