Celebrating Success: Autism and Advocacy

My special guest for this episode is my sister-in-law and friend Gordana Tomic.Gordana, an inspiring mother and advocate for children with autism, joins me to share her journey with her son and my favourite nephew, Cristian. As an educator, Gordana has used her skills to adapt and support Cristian's development, whom she co-parents with my brother. Through her Instagram account, Life_Health_and_Autism, Gordana shares valuable resources and stories, expanding her advocacy to reach and support other families in need. Mentioned in this episode:Visit the Instagram page Life, Health and Autism for resources, strategies, and government funding information.Consider creating workshops to work with businesses in training employees or service providers to create better environments for neurodiverse clients and employment opportunities for neurodiverse kids.Look into camps, day programs, and sports programs that offer support for kids with special needs.Consider speech therapy, occupational therapy, and ABA therapy for support.Create a social story for vacations or new experiences to help your child prepare and feel more comfortable.Consider text to speech training for children who are not verbal.Use the term "selfies" as a socially appropriate way for your child to request sensory and anxiety support.Connect with other parents who have children with special needs for support and advice.Advocate for your child by researching, reaching out to organizations, and being prepared for school interviews or new experiences.Success StoriesRaising a child with autism can certainly come with its fair share of challenges, but it's important to recognize and celebrate the successes along the way. Acknowledging these small victories not only provides encouragement for the ongoing journey but also serves as a reminder of the progress that has been made. Whether it's a breakthrough in communication or a successful day at school, finding joy in the triumphs that may come can help maintain a positive outlook amidst the obstacles. During the podcast, Gordana shares her own experiences of celebrating small achievements in Cristian's development. For instance, she mentions being elated when Cristian was able to attend a school that provides support for children with autism, ultimately enabling him to enter a regular classroom setting. Furthermore, she highlights small but meaningful accomplishments like going on vacation or successfully using text-to-speech programming to improve Cristian's verbal vocabulary.SelfiesA notable aspect of Gordana's interview is her sharing of the concept of "selfies" in relation to her son Cristian's sensory and anxiety needs. The term refers to the soothing action of touching his head or leg for comfort, which Cristian would normally request from someone else. Teaching independence and self-regulation is essential in helping children with autism navigate their daily lives. Gordana speaks about teaching Cristian to ask for "selfies" by seeking out comforting touch in a polite and non-intrusive manner or learning to self-soothe on his own. The goal, she explains, is to aid Cristian in becoming more independent and capable of self-regulation, a testament to the creative and determined approach that can help parents and children overcome developmental hurdles together.Advice for parents of children with AutismParents of children with autism may feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities and challenges they face. However, it's important to remind oneself that each parent is the expert of their child's life, having the innate ability to figure out what works best for their own family. Seeking help when needed and trusting personal instincts when making decisions can help better navigate the journey. Gordana offers advice stemming from her own experiences with Cristian, and she underscores the importance of allowing oneself to grieve, process emotions, and then focus on helping the child in the best possible way. Gordana believes that parents hold the key to unlocking their child's potential and reassures parents that it's normal to not always have the answers.Timestamped summary of this episode:00:00:01 - Introduction, Host Trista Guertin introduces her guest Gordana Tomic, her sister-in-law and mother to her nephew Cristian who is diagnosed with autism.00:01:35 - Challenges of Autism Diagnosis, Gordana shares the challenges of accepting and accessing a diagnosis for Cristian, as well as the difficulties of accessing support and funding for their child.00:06:06 - Parental Support and Self-Care, Gordana speaks about the importance of seeking support for parents who have children with special needs, and shares her own journey in seeking support and therapy to cope with Cristian's diagnosis.00:07:24 - Success Stories, Gordana shares some of the successes they have had in their journey with Cristian, including enrolling him in support programs and schools that cater to children with autism, as well as breaking down everyday activities into smaller steps to help him succeed.00:09:30 - Selfies, Gordana explains the concept of "selfies," which started as a sensory and anxiety need for Cristian and evolved into a way for him to self-regulate and self-soothe. She also shares the importance of finding socially appropriate ways to help children with autism.00:17:50 - Advice for Moms of Children with Autism, Gordana shares her advice for moms with children who have just been diagnosed with autism, encouraging them to allow themselves to grieve and process their emotions while also helping their child in their own way. She emphasizes the importance of reaching out for help and support, even if it's scary.00:18:29 - Finding Strength in Motherhood, Gordana reflects on the strength that she has gained through being a mother and advocate for her son, and encourages other moms to see the beauty in life even through the challenges.00:19:14 - Getting Support and Help, Trista and Gordana discuss the importance of reaching out for support and help, and Gordana emphasizes that no parent has all the answers. She shares her Instagram account, life_health_and_autism, and encourages listeners to connect with her for resources and support.Connect with Trista here:www.tristaguertin.comhttps://www.facebook.com/tristavguertinhttps://www.instagram.com/tristavguertinhttps://www.thisdaringadventure.comTo book a private coaching session: https://tristaguertincoachingsession.as.me/