Whether they are big or small, you should celebrate your child’s victories! We all want to be praised and have our efforts acknowledged, and it’s true for your child with autism and ADHD too. I know that I am genuinely thrilled when my son J achieves something he has been working hard to do. Those achievements could include a behavior change he has been working on for a long time; a good grade on a test at school; the completion of his latest YouTube video; connection with ;another teen who could become a friend; or a key step in his development. They all should be cheered and applauded!
Praise your child
When your child or teen has achieved a goal of any kind or even taken a positive step toward a goal or development milestone, praise them for it! Verbal praise is best, and they will most likely get even more excited if you tell them how proud you are of them. Hugs are a great way to show them how happy you are for them! For those kids who can’t handle hugs or who are sensitive to touch, giving a high five or doing a little jump or dance for joy is a great way to show them too!
Share your child’s victories with your support network
When your child has achieved a milestone, goal or that next step toward either, be sure to share and celebrate your child’s victories with their support network. This can include siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, case managers, therapists and others. Receiving praise and accolades from others will inspire your child and encourage them to keep going.
Do something special
If your child’s accomplishment was a significant step toward a bigger goal or reaching a goal itself, do something special to celebrate. Here are some ideas:
- Make your child’s favorite meal.
- Indulge in a special treat.
- Go on a special outing like to a favorite park or other place that is meaningful to your child.
- Create a special sign that you put up on the refrigerator to commemorate the moment.
- Play your child’s favorite game.
Whatever you decide to do, celebrating is the important thing. Remember not to compare your child with autism/ADHD with others, especially those who are neurotypical. Our children will reach milestones at different times, and each step is a victory.
Do you have a fun way to celebrate victories for your child with autism/ADHD? Leave a comment and let us know what works for you!
