Mindful Moments Blog

Practicing Transitions To Reduce Meltdowns

by Ashley Patek

Children are concrete learners and often thrive off of predictability, so it can be hard for them to pivot, especially when the request is to move from a preferred activity to a less preferred task. Here are 5 tools to help children with transitions.

Mindful Moments Blog

Autistic Mama and Sons Request: See Us for Us, Not our Labels

by Ashley Patek

Tiffany Hammond is an autistic mama to two autistic sons. She shares that their diagnosis is not a one-size-fits-all expression. Rather, Tiffany sees this as part of her family’s unique human experience.

Mindful Moments Blog

Wholeheartedly Accepting and Supporting Neurodiverse Families

by Ashley Patek

What is neurodiversity and how do we move from awareness to acceptance to advocating for in small everyday moments?

Mindful Moments Blog

Ask Andrew: Co-Parenting

by Guest Author

Andrew answers today's question: My husband is on the spectrum and refuses to seek professional assistance. I suspect that my 4-year-old son is also on the spectrum and isn’t getting the support he needs from my husband. How can I address this without my husband thinking that all I do is tell him what he doesn’t do “right” or “good enough”?

Stressed woman who is overthinking and has a mess of thoughts in her head

Mindful Moments Blog

The Balancing Act: Mastering Life's Challenges with Adult ADHD

by Ashley Martin

The symptoms and challenges of ADHD in adults can be formidable, but they need not define our journey. By acknowledging our unique strengths, finding balance, and learning to manage our symptoms, we pave the way for a fulfilling and successful life.

Mindful Moments Blog

Ask Andrew: Understanding Neurodiversity

by Guest Author

Hi! I’m Andrew from Generation Mindful's newest recurring weekly feature, Ask Andrew. I’ll be taking any and all questions regarding the autism spectrum with particular emphasis on childhood development as an authentic autistic adult. Today Andrew answers: What do you wish your classmates had understood about you/did differently?

Mindful Moments Blog

Ask Andrew: Navigating Responses To Stimming

by Andrew Patterson

Andrew answers today's question: How do you deal with people making fun of stims? Especially loud vocal ones?

Mindful Moments Blog

Ask Andrew: Grandparenting

by Andrew Patterson

Andrew answers today's question: How can I, as the grandmother of a diagnosed five-year-old grandson be a solid support to him and his parents? I live in CA and they live in AZ.

Mindful Moments Blog

Feeding The Senses Helps Regulate Emotions: Part 2

by Ashley Patek

Sensory diets are one way to incorporate alerting or calming sensory activities to regulate the nervous system, and because every child is unique, so too is every sensory diet. Here are 9 things to consider when designing a sensory diet:

Mindful Moments Blog

My Son Is Not A Diagnosis, An Understanding Of Neurodiversity

by Ashley Patek

Neurodiversity is a concept that communicates that diagnoses such as ADHD and autism are not “abnormalities” but rather variations in the human brain. This mom shares her journey to understanding neurodiversity and meeting her child's unique needs.

Mindful Moments Blog

Does Self-Care Feel Like A Chore?

by Ashley Patek

Empowerment self-care is when we can be with the current moment with joy and ease, noticing how we feel and asking ourselves, “What is it that I want and need, and how do I make that happen?” Here's how to listen to your sensory body and 5 simple self-care breaks for you and your child.

Mindful Moments Blog

Ask Andrew: Finding Ways To Motivate

by Andrew Patterson

Andrew answers today's question: I am working with a family that struggles to motivate their son to practice the application of new skills. Any advice on how to discuss the importance of things or improve motivation? This kiddo is highly intelligent and strong-willed.

Mindful Moments Blog

Ask Andrew: Respecting Sibling Differences

by Guest Author

Andrew answers today's question: Our oldest son is on the spectrum and our youngest is a fairly sensitive child. Often we find the oldest plays in such a way that is overwhelming for the younger one. How can we make the younger one feel safe while allowing the oldest to play in ways that are more energetic?

Mindful Moments Blog

Strengthening Your Child's Emotional Intelligence Through Valentine's Day

by Ashley Patek

Soon, all across the nation, children will partake in Valentine’s Day rituals such as sharing cards, treats, and friendly exchanges. For many children, this is a fun and exciting experience, however, for just as many, Valentine’s Day can be filled with stress, anxiety, and fear. Here are 4 ways to use social-emotional practices for all children this Valentine's Day.

Mindful Moments Blog

Friendship: Using Improv Games To Create Peer Connection

by Guest Author

Social skills can be practiced, and the more we teach by actually doing, the more beneficial the approach will be when teaching social skills for friendships and peer engagement. This improv game is designed just for that!

Mindful Moments Blog

Mom Realizes It's Never Too Late To Parent Differently

by Ashley Patek

As a school psychologist on the elementary level, Karen was in search of professional development tools, and in doing so, found an avenue to help her in raising her three diverse sons.

Mindful Moments Blog

Nurturing A Natural Love For Learning

by Ashley Patek

How do you nurture curious risk-takers who love to learn? It starts here.

Mindful Moments Blog

The Parenting Fairy Godmother Isn't Coming - Here's Why You Don't Need Her

by Ashley Patek

Wouldn’t it be amazing if there were a Parenting Fairy Godmother that came to rescue us during tricky parenting moments? Unfortunately, there's not, but you don't need her. You have you. Here are some playful tools to help you boost emotional intelligence in your home.

Mindful Moments Blog

Teaching The Whole Learner: School Spotlight on Bloom360

by Ashley Patek

Bloom360 Learning Community, a nonprofit school in southeastern Wisconsin for Learners ages 5 to 21 with neurodiverse needs, based their entire 2019/20 school year curriculum themes around the PeaceMakers themes of Power, Joy, Balance, Love, Peace, Intuition, and Forgiveness, and the outcomes are inspiring.

Mindful Moments Blog

How Mindfulness Helped Me Focus My ADHD

by Ashley Patek

I was diagnosed with ADHD at six-years-old. I was given medication that helped my teacher teach me and other students be around me, but it didn't help me learn skills to regulate my emotions. From a child who had a difficult time with emotions, to now working with similar kiddos, here’s what I can tell you.

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