Infinite Personal Possibilities Inc.

" Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Helen Keller

• Choose your battles
• Count to 10
• Keep a big bag of "tricks"
• Set "getable" goals
• Set up a rewards chart
• Say what you mean
• Have time out spots for each setting
• Avoid giving ultimatiums
• Teach the child to succeed
• Use positive reinforcement
• Display pictures of child
• Keep life calm
• Limit television and video games
• Allow both of you respite time
• Consider summer camps
• Use community services 
• Visit libraries often
• Be realistic about your expectations
• Expect the child to pick up personal items
• Include child when doing chore charts
• Let others help you, even if they are not experts
• Teach self care skills diligently
• Journal, not verbalize, your frustrations
• Take a day off, no "programming" or therapies
• Decide not to worry about things
• Be proactive in finding services
• Enroll in at least one support group
• Be a frequent reader of current applicable websites
• Have an older student be a study buddy 
• Focus on today, not tomorrow
• Prepare for meetings, write out concerns
• Always state a positive before a negative
• Acquire a reference library (virtual or paper)
• Keep a service resource guide handy
• Treat the child as all others are treated
• Teach the child to help others
• Help the child foster friendships
• Dress the child in fashionable clothes
• Raise community awareness
• Raise awareness with friends and family
• Choose not to feel guilty
• Choose not to blame others
• Don't allow the situation to control responses
• Attend workshops and acquire knowledge

For IPP: MaryEllen Smith Tavares