The Steps to Success

When we first thought about writing about our "success story", I began trying to think of a way to explain what we have done. Honestly, to us, it has been a trial-and-error approach, and a whatever-works approach. But when I look at our approach from an outside perspective I feel like it is more of a step-by-step approach.

Our journey has included three steps so far:

• Step One: Communication is Key
  
• Step Two: Structure and Routine
  
• Step Three: Shake Things Up!
  

Step One:
Communication is Key

I have written some about the first step, but will plan on writing more about this. I have this as the first step because until you open the communication barrier with your child, you cannot move forward with anything else. I have written about what worked for us with teaching our children to communicate early on, but this is an on-going process, so I will include more information on how we have continued to break down this barrier.

Step Two:
Structure and Routine

All children thrive on structure and routine, but for special needs children routines are not just an option, they are a necessity! I will talk about how we taught our children to cope with the outside world by giving them the structure and routines to live by.

Step Three:
Shake Things Up!

After you get them into a great routine, the next thing you need to teach them is to roll with the punches! The world will not always follow the path that you have laid out, so the children need to learn that it is okay when things are different. My children are perfectionists and teaching them that messing up is okay has been a very important part of their development.