Not everything always goes according to plan. Sometimes life hits you with a rogue wave and you end up scattered to the winds, disoriented, and wondering what happened. Kids have an extraordinary capacity to bounce back considering all the bumps and scrapes they get from their day-to-day adventures. However, children with autism face some challenges in this department. Building resilience and self-esteem in children with autism is a huge component of their overall development and well-being. It’s one of the things we do here at Monarch House. Having a resilient mindset helps neurodivergent children to navigate challenges, foster a positive self-image, and weather life’s storms.

Here are ten helpful strategies to support to build resilience and self esteem in children with autism Waterloo. 

1. Set Realistic Goals

You’re not going to cross the ocean your first time at sea. At Monarch House, we work with your child to help set achievable goals that match their abilities. One of the things that we do is help them break larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps. With every little victory along the way, we celebrate their progress. This positive approach builds your child’s confidence and encourages a sense of accomplishment.

2. Teach Coping Skills

It’s all about having a positive mindset. Another thing that we do is introduce coping strategies to help your child manage frustration and anxiety. There are a variety of ways to do this, but our occupational therapists will suggest techniques such as visualization, deep breathing, or making use of a stress ball. These methods empower your child to handle challenging situations more effectively.

3. Encourage Open Communication

Monarch House is a safe space. It’s somewhere where your child can feel comfortable being themselves. We have built an environment where children feel secure expressing their thoughts and feelings. Our staff are instructed to use clear, supportive language and actively listen to each child’s concerns. This openness helps your child understand their emotions. It also fosters a sense of self-advocacy.

4. Promote Independence

Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors. It’s healthy to come across a few obstacles that you can’t get by on your own, and to make some mistakes. For that reason, we encourage age-appropriate independence by allowing children to make choices and take on responsibilities. At Monarch House, this can range from simple tasks like picking out clothes to more complex activities like planning a small outing. By giving a child with autism some autonomy, we find it boosts their self-esteem and enhances their problem-solving skills.

5. Celebrate Strengths and Interests

Is your child passionate about the oceans and the creatures of the deep? We will try to incorporate that into their daily activities. We focus on your child’s strengths and interests. At home we also encourage them to pursue hobbies or activities they enjoy. This can help them build confidence. For therapists, parents, educators, and caregivers alike, it’s important to highlight your child’s achievements, no matter how small. This will reinforce a positive self-image.

6. Foster Social Skills

Being good around other people is not a talent that just comes naturally (especially for sailors) —it’s a skill that’s nurtured with practice. For this reason, at Monarch House we offer social skills groups that can significantly bolster your child’s ability to interact with peers. Our occupational therapists, psychotherapists, speech therapists, and behavioural therapists make use of role-playing, visual cues, and structured playdates to work on these abilities. When a child is confident in their social interactions, it goes a long way towards boosting their self-esteem and helping them navigate adversity. 

7. Create a Routine

Being able to plan ahead and brace oneself for what’s coming next is a great first step towards adopting a resilient mindset. One of the ways we go about this at Monarch House is by establishing a consistent daily routine. Having a certain ritual in place can provide structure and offer predictability. This is something that many children with autism find comforting. Being ready for what’s coming down the pike reduces anxiety and helps children with autism feel more secure. Having this armour in place makes a big difference when it comes to building resilience.

8. Encourage Problem-Solving

Sometimes you just have to get your hands dirty. Many kids learn simply by doing. So at Monarch House, we help children develop problem-solving skills by guiding them through challenges rather than providing immediate solutions. Some of the steps we take (and encourage parents to adopt) are: encouraging them how to brainstorm options and teaching them how to evaluate outcomes. Sometimes it’s good to examine best case and worst case scenarios before embarking on a plan. This forethought and experience builds their confidence in their ability to navigate difficulties.

9. Model Positive Self-Talk

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going!” A child will often parrot an adult word-for-word, with the same inflection. In doing so, they often internalize the messages they hear. At Monarch House, we are mindful to model positive self-talk and resilience by sharing our own experiences with challenges and anecdotes about how we saw our way through them. We encourage you, your child’s caregivers, and their educators to do the same. The aim is to teach them pithy phrases and examples they can use to steel themselves through tough times.

10. Build a Support Network

At Monarch House we offer parent coaching, support groups, a myriad of therapists, and access to mentors who understand the unique challenges faced by children with autism. By building a strong support network, we can provide encouragement, share resources, and foster a sense of community. This all works in tandem to enhance a child’s sense of security and resilience.

Life isn’t always smooth sailing, so it helps to have the skills to ready oneself for all types of weather. It takes a holistic, dedicated team to foster resilience and self-esteem in a child with autism. At Monarch House, we bring in professional expertise from our interdisciplinary staff of behavioural therapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and psychotherapists. Building resilience and self-esteem in children with autism Waterloo is a gradual process that requires dedication and patience. By putting these strategies into practice, we can empower your child to cultivate a positive self-image, face challenges with confidence, and develop the skills necessary for lifelong success, no matter how rugged the course.