Through my interactions with parents and therapists, I've uncovered a poignant trend that unfortunately permeates many households grappling with autism. Picture this scenario: it's Monday morning, and you're preparing your child with autism for school. You guide them out of bed, tidy up their room, escort them to the bathroom, assist with teeth brushing, spoon-feed them breakfast, dress them, and ensure their shoes are on—all while managing to be punctual. It may seem like a feat, but in reality, you've done it all.
Having a child with autism doesn't mean they lack capability. They do, but it often necessitates months, if not years, of repetitive teaching, your unwavering presence, and relentless effort. You're aware of this, perhaps apprehensive, yet caught in a whirlwind where you can't afford to slow down. I found myself in this very predicament a few years back. I took pride in handling everything from A to Z, but eventually, exhaustion set in. When the pandemic hit, it became clear that being a super mom wasn't sustainable. I needed support, yet lacked a nanny or family member to lend a hand. Social distancing rules further dashed any hopes of additional assistance. It was then that I turned to technology for salvation.
Enter Lionears—a solution I developed to aid in managing my son's routines and fostering independence. He had become overly reliant on me, unable to perform basic tasks without my constant supervision. Despite plastering our bathroom with step-by-step visuals, progress was minimal. I realized two critical elements were missing from his routine: my presence and prompting. Lionears was crafted to address both needs. Through the app, my son could see and hear me in instructional videos, enabling him to complete tasks with newfound autonomy. No longer tethered to my side, he gained the repetition necessary for skill mastery.
Discovering his receptiveness to video and audio prompts, I seized the opportunity to expand his capabilities. From folding laundry to making sandwiches, Lionears became a conduit for independent learning. My intention in sharing this isn't to tout Lionears as a panacea but rather to urge fellow parents to empower their children with autonomy. Begin gradually, allocating time on weekends for self-directed activities—eating, dressing, or tidying up. Empower them to navigate the intricacies of daily life. After all, our ultimate goal as parents is to equip our children for adulthood, where self-sufficiency is paramount.
You're not a machine; you deserve rest. And your child, regardless of their abilities, deserves the opportunity to thrive independently in society. It begins with fostering self-care and independence—a foundation upon which they can build a meaningful future.
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