Celebrating Small Wins

As parents of autistic children it is so important to celebrate everything, not just the small improvements your child makes, but also things you have managed to do.  We often forget to celebrate something before we move onto the next thing.  Taking the time to celebrate anchors the wins, gives you a sense of satisfaction and will also be a reminder to you when you are having not so good days.

It is a powerful way to boost morale, positive development and build a supportive and loving environment for your child.

Small wins are stepping stones to larger successes.  They are the moments that might seem insignificant to others but are monumental for you and your child.  These victories are also important because:

• Every achievement, no matter how small, boosts your child’s confidence, not to mention your own, and encourages them to keep trying new things.
• Celebrating together creates a positive atmosphere and strengthens the bond between you and your child.
• Recognising progress, however minor it may seem, helps maintain motivation and encourages continuous effort.
• Focusing on successes rather than challenges also give you a positive mindset, both for child and parent.

Celebrating Small Wins

Small wins can come in many forms and recognizing them is key to celebrating them effectively.  Here are some examples of small wins that deserve celebration.

• Your child uses a new word or gesture to communicate.
• They initiate play with a peer or make eye contact.
• Successfully brushing teeth, getting dressed or using the toilet independently.
• Handling a transition or sensory overload with less distress.
• Completing a task at school or mastering a new concept.

Celebrating doesn’t have to be extravagant.  Here are some fun and creative ways to make small wins feel special.

• Create a colourful sticker chart to visually track achievements. Each time your child accomplishes something, let them add a sticker.  Watching the chart fill up is a delightful way to see progress.  At Max’s school they use this system and it works beautifully.  After every 5 stickers he gets to ride on his bike for 10 minutes before heading back to do more work.
• Turn up the music and have a mini dance party. It’s a fun way to let loose and celebrate together.  Actually this is one of my favourite ways to celebrate myself if I have achieved something.
• Enjoy a favourite snack or a small treat to mark the occasion.
• Read a favourite book together or introduce a new one as a reward.
• Spend extra time playing a favourite game or engaging in a preferred activity.
• Sometimes, a heartfelt praise and a big hug are all it takes to make your child feel proud and loved.

Celebrating Small Wins

Try to incorporate celebrations into your routine to ensure that they become a regular part of your life.  Some ways you can do that:

• Break down larger goals into smaller, achievable steps. Celebrate each step to keep motivation high.
• Make celebrating small wins a consistent practice. This reinforces the behaviour and makes the experience more meaningful.
• Get siblings and other family members involved in the celebrations. It creates a supportive environment and makes your child feel valued.
• Keep a journal or scrapbook to record these moments. Looking back on them can be a wonderful reminder of how far your child has come.

Celebrating Small Wins

The impact of celebrating small wins goes beyond just the immediate joy.  It creates a ripple effect that can positively influence various aspects of your life.

• You get a sense of accomplishment and it boosts emotional well-being for both you and your child.
• It reinforces desired behaviours and skills, encouraging your child to keep improving.
• Sharing joy and pride strengthens your bond with your child and ensures a loving, supportive family environment.
• Celebrating small wins helps build resilience by teaching your child that progress is possible, even if it comes in small steps.

I would love to hear what interesting ways you have to celebrate your child’s small wins as well as what you do to celebrate yourself.  You are hugely instrumental in your child’s wins and you give yourself a lot of credit.

Till next week

A

Xxx

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