Our Conversation Tonight!

Control AnxietyDeescalate Anxious Behaviors

Discover ways to RelaxBuild Routines

Thrive through Life and autism Stressors!

Covid-19 a comparison to Autism… Why?

Creating a New Way of Living The Harris Family

Creating a New Way of LivingThe Harris Family

Can Exercise Help those with Autism?

• https://www.autismspeaks.org/expert-opinion/can-exercise-improve-behavior-help-encouraging-child-who-has-autism

18 Reason Why You Need to Walk More!

https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/7-reasons-need-walk-2/

Benefits of Movement for Stress Reduction Harvard Study

• https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/sour-mood-getting-you-down-get-back-to-nature

JUNE 30, 2015 Stanford University

“Stanford researchers find mental health prescription: Nature

Study finds that walking in nature yields measurable mental benefits and may reduce risk of depression.”

https://news.stanford.edu/2015/06/30/hiking-mental-health-063015/

OUR LIFE JOUREY –We as parents want to make the rightdecision when it come to guiding our

children through life, knowing each decision we make has the potential to impact

the entire family!

HOW DO I KNOW I AM ON THE RIGHT TRACK?

QOLDefinition: Quality of Life Indicator - a quality of life indicator is one that allows one to estimate degrees of well-being

Overall Quality of Life (QOL) Indicatorsand General Health Domains

Physical Well-Being• Energy and Fatigue

• Pain and discomfort

• Sleep and rest

Emotional Well-Being• Bodily image & appearance

• Negative feelings

• Positive feelings

• Self-esteem

• Thinking, learning, memory

- concentration

- Anxiety, depression

• Independence• Mobility• Activities of daily living• Dependence on

medicinal substances • Work capacity

• Social Relations/ Social Inclusion

• Personal relationships• Social support• Sexual activity

Environment-Material Well-Being •Financial resources•Freedom, physical safety and security•Health and social care: accessibility and quality•Home environment•Opportunities for acquiring new information and skills•Participation in and opportunities for recreation/leisure•Physical environment (pollution/noise/traffic/climate)•Transport

Spirituality/Religion/Personal beliefs• Religion/Spirituality/Personal beliefs (Single facet)• Human Spirit, Soul, Existence, Death,• Life, Purpose, Eternity

We found the missing PIECE….PEACE!

Group Brainstorming

How do we define STRESS?

A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances . To become tense or anxious; worry.

Turning our Eyes toward our Children… Let’s talk about Stressors!

What are the top three things that commonly cause your child to become very stressed and upset or anxious?

Turning our eyes toward Mom Dad and Siblings Stressors

What types of things have been causing stress these days with your family member What are stressors that seem to be repeating every week ?

Group Activity! Let's Track our Full Body Movement! (swimming,

walking, running, biking)

1. My child is given the opportunity to swim walk, run or bike 7 days a week for at least 10-20-30-minutes ?

2. My child is given daily opportunities to spend time outdoors in nature?

3. My child has a minimum of 2 breaks each day that incorporate walking running biking or swimming that equal or exceed one hour?

4. On the weekdays and weekends, my child is involved in 1 form of exercise?

Group Activity- Let’s brainstorm what things stop us from Daily Movement?

Ways to Get Started

Improving your quality

of life !

Paul Harris – Father • Tips to keep! Start walking and stay committed!

• Involved technology (Map by Walk )

• Walk during lunch break .. Add to your routine

• Results made me stick with it..

• Feel better and enjoy your life is the goal

• Walking gave me the ability to be present in my life and

families life more balanced life

• Think Long Term - Builds your marriage relationship and

have something you can do with your kids and entire family

for a lifetime

BEFORE

AND

AFTER

SO Proud of you Paul and Ryan!

2019 Bockfest in Downtown Cincinnati!

Ashley HarrisAge 23Yale University Physician Associate Program PASpecializing in Neurology and Developmental Disability

• How Has Movement helped you personally ?

• How has Walking and Hiking with your brother strengthened your relationship?

• Interesting research you are studying at Yale about exercise and Seizure Activity

Teresa - Mother, Learning Coach, Autism Advocate Walker!

• A long Talk with God…….

• It began as a Stroll

• Turned into a Lifestyle

• Transformed a Family

Transformed Us into Nature Lovers!• Community Garden

• Garden Pots in the Back Yard

• Hiking and Morning Outings

• I fell in Love with Monty Don!

• Beautiful Parks and a deeper appreciation for the Arts

5 Domains in Quality of Life Indicators1. physical 2. 4 Economical 5. Religious/

I was a Seeker…. Seeking rest .. I need a vacationSeeking quiet time alone… schedule Paul to watch RyanSeeking the stopping of busyness… Get more organized Seeking Knowledge to help Ryan…. Take Course /EducationSeeking a better marriage…try harder to fix it “harp on” marriage challengesSeeking a solution to my chaotic life….complainSeeking connection to others…make more friendsSeeking richer connection with Family spend money to have fun and buy more thingsSeeking our Heavenly Father, our Lord and Savior Jesus. And the Holy Spirit.. More religion not a relationship in order to hear Him speak to me.

One day on the trail God spoke to me when I was frustrated at Ryan and silently - justifiably complaining once again… And in that still small voice he said “ Teresa you are on a journey, you are seeking what already is …. And my Son had the answer all along.. He would share with me and others ,”Kind Mom God so present…. We are riding into Eternity.” .. I realized then to live my life with more gratitude knowing my life-journey is Good. I have so much to be grateful for… I just wasn’t seeing it caught up in the world. Seeking is not bad or wrong it just must be done with a grateful loving heart

Ryan letterboardingAbout His thoughts on walking-

• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HrqAE67oOXDtRv-UtNhC-6beWiBLREpR/view?usp=sharing

Ryan’s thoughts on walking…

Silence is good .. Walking I hear the Lord

Friendships are hard ..my intense body is hard to control, nice people smile on trail.

When I walk my intense mind quiets.

My body is hard to control .. But I am trying

Sorry for intense need to eat.

Mom is smiling on walk Happy

I can be normal like others on trail.

I am a good walker

I am a hiker with Dad and Dad so darn Cool.

Friendship Opportunities

Using Walking as an Anxiety Strategy ! Successfully integrated into University of Cincinnati CEES Program!

• Making Social Connection

• Evening - Out the Playing Field!

• Healthy Choice

• No one is talking in a Gym they're Working Out!

• Integration in a Community Setting

Let’s Design a Plan to Get Started Moving!

Design a plan …Mindset Matters!

Sensory Environments

Sensory Experience

There is POWER in CHOICE!

CHOICE gives Voice!

Training the Transitions.. Make it Count!Training the transition … Make it Count!

Developing a Safety Net ……………..Success is not Optional!

Sample Safety Plan “ Shui and Momma ‘s Peace Plan”

This is a plan that is memorized and worked known by everyone in the family and professionals. Teachers, paraprofessionals, therapist ,

This is done 5-10-times daily, once an hour until child/person has the strategy. Learned and it is effective to reduce anxiety.

Prior implementation of Safety Calming Strategies ( 3-2-1 Calm Hands)NO complaining , Think before speaking. Ryan ‘s sensory perception is heightened Music on Phone Tarzan Phil CollinsSing favorite old calming songs , I Love you, Old MacDonald, Silent NightReassurance…I am okay have him repeat speaking verballyBody Commands- Body be Calm , practice saying it helps to calmPositive Encouragement ( Almost there We can do this , Its all good , it is good for our health ,mom loves you your helping mom , we have to take care of our bodies Dad would be so proud of usGoal to the Bench and Done ( First Then) or set timerSnacks, Water, fidgets Cover basics - bathroom ate lunch not tired , shoes are on properlyDo the transitions well , Hang at car for a second get water, trail snack, Give Ryan choices for control Use voice and constant flow of language to deescalate.Take straight path when high anxiety. Clear direction start and stop

Sample Safety Strategies for Ryan to reduce anxiety an de-escalate behavior

Safety plan - assign person, walk in contained area check the walk first alone Make the walk easy!

• Safety bracelets

• Life 360

• Walked during slow times early morning or late evening

• Walked on paved well marked straight paths no hiking to start

• Made a positive goal the bench /use timer

• Count everything

• Get communication system down!

Stroll your way to VictoryThe 2-day Challenge this Weekend!

• I can take 2 things off my plate to give me some breathing room!

• I can set a goal to walk for 2 minutes or even 2 seconds! Make it easy for everyone!

• I can set a 2-day Challenge !

• I am strolling my way to victory day by day!

Decision Time!

Your entire family can take a Stroll to a more relaxed , way of Living Life!

“ We appreciate you listening to our Journey! We pray that you grow stronger and closer as a family and find joy in all you do!”

Thank you

from the Harris

Family!

Let’s Talk ..… Who has the first Question!