The Basics
What wisdom could Leonardo DaVinci have to offer us as parents to special needs kids? It turns out, he has a brilliant suggestion for us.
Doing the basics well is the key to an easier life. If your child is efficient at washing their hands, they’ll spend less time being sick (and getting you sick). If your child can brush their teeth and tolerate you flossing for them, they’ll get fewer cavities (maybe none at all). Think about the difference between a life of diapers and a life lived with the basic knowledge of how to use the toilet independently.
Keep At It
So, keep hammering home the basic skills. Give your child time to practice each day so they maintain the building blocks of success. Ask for help from the professionals at school or seek out private help to make sure your child can achieve every basic skill that their ability level allows.
Relentless pursuit of the basics will spell success!
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About the Author
Erica Mauro is a mom to two teenage boys, Will who is neurotypical and Michael with Autism and cognitive delays. She holds a BA in Psychology from Colgate University and a Masters of Psychology in Education from Columbia Teacher’s College. Before staying home with her children, she worked as an elementary school teacher. For five years, she served on the Board of Directors of the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation, a charity dedicated to enriching the lives of children with special needs. In partnership with her husband Dave, she aspires to parent by using daily life as an opportunity for therapeutic intervention, seizing on real experiences as opportunities to build skills and strategies for Michael in a joyful, loving home environment. On the tougher early days, she just tried to get everyone safely to bedtime and start fresh in the morning. *wink* 
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