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Raise your hand if you find unfinished "To Do Lists" all around your home and half-finished "To Do Lists" crumbled in the bottom of your child's back pack. I'm raising my hand but not as high as I would have six months ago. You see I discovered a powerful tool, while coaching my son on this very thing, that is helping me begin and complete tasks. The nice thing is that this tool is readily available to most students and adults who need it. Want to know what this tool is? All you have to do is watch the short video below and you'll be well on your way to fewer "To Do Lists" and more completed tasks. I'd love to hear if you have found audible alarms helpful as well. Are there specific Apps or programs you use that you really love?
Until next time... Keep growing and blooming. Jen
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As I was taking my daily walk yesterday I was listening to a podcast and the speaker used a puzzle analogy. As I reflected on the analogy, it struck me how perfect it was to illustrate the therapeutic process and any process that involves change.
She said that we may have times when all of the pieces seem to line up just perfectly to give us that nice, straight outer edge. Other times, we may have a puzzle for which we don't have the model or visual "end" and we need to fit the pieces together blindly through a process of trial and error. Still other times, we may have all of the pieces dumped out in front of us but we just can't find the first two or three that go together to keep us moving forward toward completion. The key is to continue to try putting pieces together, asking for help from others who may be better at fitting the pieces together at different times and realizing that we may have periods of time when we need to sit back and be pleased with the work we have completed before we move on to finish the puzzle entirely. I LOVE puzzles. I always have. I have very fond memories of doing puzzles with my sister, grandmother and mother. Dumping the pieces out, propping up the box so we could see the picture to help us along. When we got really good at the puzzles, we would have contests to see how fast we could each complete a different puzzle. To this day, I am really great with puzzles. One of my best strategies was one that my grandmother taught me...once you have the pieces dumped out, find all of the straight edged pieces and make the frame. Then, it is easier to fill in the center once you have the boundary/frame to help you. This gives you a starting point so you aren't aimlessly searching for pieces that fit together here and there. Therapists serve as a "frame" or "boundary" for you. They help you find the straight edged pieces to get you started {a therapeutic program suited to your needs} and then they help you fill in the center to complete the picture/vision by training/helping you learn the program. How can I help you with your puzzle? Until next time, keep growing and blooming. Jen Have you ever been driving to a new location and gotten lost, or thought you were lost, only to find out that you were almost where you needed to go? You look back and realize you could have saved loads of time if you would have taken that first right, instead of the first left, or that you should have stopped three miles earlier to ask for clarification. FRUSTRATING. This is often the case with families or students who try to deal with Executive Functioning deficits on their own or with a system that worked for cousin Jenny's first son or the neighbor's daughter. They are somewhat on the right path but aren't quite reaching the success they thought they would. FRUSTRATING. This week, during an Executive Function Virtual Coaching session, one of my parents had an epiphany...watch the video below to hear what she said and how it can help you too. Until next time, keep growing and blooming!
Jen I love those days when I think I have my subject matter selected for a blog post or podcast and then something happens and I think "nope, this is what I need to use." I bet you won't be surprised to hear that this happened today. I had to change a visit with one of my little clients who is high on the Autism Spectrum-always a difficult thing as children on the spectrum aren't always very flexible. I take great care in trying to keep my schedule the same, especially if I'm seeing them at school, so I don't disrupt their entire day. I had prepared myself for a less than great session with my friend because I would be surprising her. Surprise was on me! I arrived at her school and she was happy to see me, gladly stopped her activity and jumped seamlessly into my plan. We have been working on social/pragmatic skills and executive functioning skills. One way that I have indirectly been working on social/pragmatics is through compliments. Since beginning treatment with her in the spring, I have always greeted her but then given her a compliment about clothing, her work or her overall appearance....so something like "Good morning, friend I love the red shoes you have on." It's very natural and very indirect. I must admit that today I have on a very "discussable" outfit: red capri pants, gray shirt, long pearl necklace, pearl bracelet and scarf with cherries on it. I usually do try to wear some type of jewelry when I see her as she loves to discuss it and I find that it is a great way to get her to work on conversational skills. Well, let me show you so you get the idea...  Apparently, my outfit was key because after we worked together a while, she looked at me and said "Miss. Jennifer I LOVE your red pants" I said "thank you." She then looked at my scarf and said "Miss. Jennifer I really like that scarf with the cherries and your necklace."
Wow! Moral of the story... Sometimes, the best tool is YOU {try to wear/have something that makes them curious}. It's also WHAT YOU DO day in and day out-the stuff you say/do that you don't think is "sinking in." IT IS. Consistent, small steps is what the therapy/coaching process is all about. Now, I'll have to call my accountant and ask if my jewelry and clothes are now considered therapy materials and "tax deductable." Kidding...sort of. Until next time, keep growing and blooming. Jen Do you ever walk away from a conversation with someone and think "Ugh, I never even finished a single thought" or "I don't even think they were listening to me." If you have, you're not alone. Good communication is an ongoing project and just when we think that we have it all figured out we run into someone or a situation that makes us think we need to start back at square one. The good news? There are SIX tried and true tips that will help you repair, manage and navigate your difficult conversations. Take a listen and let me know what you think. Do YOU use any of these strategies or have you found your own? Until next time, keep growing and blooming!
Jen Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em Are you a therapist or client of a coach or therapist? This post is for you... In keeping with our monthly theme of "Tools" I created a video blog about something that needs to be a part of EVERY initial therapy/coaching plan and ongoing therapy/coaching relationship: An Exit Strategy. In order to receive the best possible treatment/coaching you, as the client, must be prepared to ask about an Exit Strategy. In order to provide the best treatment/coaching, as the therapist/coach, you must be prepared to talk about an Exit Strategy from day one. I'm curious to know how many of you {therapists} already do this in your practice. Likewise, I'd love to hear from any clients who has had a therapist discuss an "Exit Strategy" with you.
As always, thanks for reading and keep growing and blooming. Jen Games lubricate the body and the mind. Whew! It's been HOT the past couple of days here in the Midwest. Too hot to even go to the beach or be out by the pool in my opinion. What's a parent to do when they have a house full of kids asking "what can we do?" or saying "I'm bored."
Well, if you want to get the kids to work on their cognitive and academic skills then play games. YES! Play games. I've written countless posts before on the importance of playing games with kids and encouraging kids to play games of their own and on their own. Why do I keep blogging about it? Because IT WORKS and the kids have no idea that sitting down to play fun games is actually doing "brain work" {Executive Function Skills} Summer is a perfect time to designate for "game days." The weather forecast for the Midwest this week is a perfect fit for finding some cool games and having some friendly competition. Check out some of these titles based upon what you want your kids to work on: 1. Stare Junior : working memory, sustained attention and meta cognition. 2. Apples to Apples: working memory and vocabulary 3. Tribond Jr: Flexible thinking, verbal organization and vocabulary 4. Sequence for Kids: working memory, sustained attention, meta cognition Do you have a child who needs work on emotional regulation? ALL games are perfect for improving the skill because learning to be a gracious winner and loser ARE a big part of emotional regulation. Want even MORE ideas? Make sure that you are on our mailing list as I will be sending out a "Game of the Week" suggestion with paired Executive Function skill areas. Until next time, keep growing and blooming and PLAY LOTS AND LOTS of games. Jen I had a few more ideas as I was thinking about my video blog from Wednesday. I thought "why can't you use this very same technique to help with Executive Function and Picky Eating programs as well? I quickly grabbed my tablet and recorded my ideas-all of which are included in this weeks podcast from BlogTalkRadio. Take a listen. Let me know if you have any other ways the "switching" technique could be used to raise awareness of behaviors that need to change. I'd love to hear them. Don't forget to let me know your ideas. Until next time, keep growing and blooming!
Jen It's WEDNESDAY which means it's video blog post time. Do you have words that you hear people say or that you yourself use that are tired, over-used and cliche'? I know that I do-even as a communication specialist. We all have those words/phrases that we tend to over-use in speaking and writing. It just happens. We get comfortable and we do what comes easy over time. When I begin to work with a new communication coaching client, often the first place we begin is with me analyzing samples of their conversations, presentations and writing. One thing that I look for are over-used words and phrases. Once that is completed, I will teach my client a technique to help them break the habit. Take a look at the video to learn an easy technique you can begin using right away to do the same. Easy, right?
I'm curious. What over-used words would you like to remove from your speaking and writing? Take a moment and leave me a comment, please. Until next time, keep growing and blooming. Jen  In keeping with our monthly theme of "Tools" , I am offering you a gift. I'm giving you the gift of my time. This gift is a tool that can help you take the first step toward reaching the goals or vision you have for you or your child.
In this 15-20 minute Q & A phone call, I want to be able to support YOU in your desire to find the best therapist/coach for yourself or your child. During this call you may learn about:
So, what are you waiting for? Click to open your gift. Until next time, keep growing and blooming. Jen |
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