Hey Y'all! I'm back!!
Lots of change since I last blogged. It's a New Year. May we accomplish our heart's desire in 2013!!
2012 set me up for a new chapter in my life. It was one of my best and most memorable years thus far. I collaborated with other women who have a similar vision. We started leading workshops on Conscious Parenting. My part was to share my perspective on autism. At the end of the year, we presented at a conference in Phoenix. Before the end of the year I also took on my first private client. This was a dream come true.
After returning from the conference in Phoenix in mid-December, it became crystal clear that it was time for me to take a Leap of Faith. It was time to quit my job as a Behavior Specialist. (ABA=Applied Behavior Analysis) Truth being said, I had never fully agreed with this method/intervention. Many things didn't feel right to me. From the very beginning of my autism profession, I recognized that kids on the spectrum were very gifted. Despite the bad rap, I saw many things most couldn't. It was challenging for me to follow the ABA protocol. It was not what I believed. ABA is about fixing/replacing certain behaviors. My approach is about connecting from the heart and shifting an old paradigm.
Looking back in hindsight, I can now recognize that I've always been exactly where I was supposed to be. Even Now!
If you are getting signs to move forward--I invite you to take the Leap. :-)
One of my defining moments was when my friend/collaborator turned to me after our presentation and said, "Wow Lori, you've changed a lot since you've started working with your private client." I turned to her and thanked her. I said, "You're right! I LOVE coaching families with my own approach. I feel renewed, empowered, honored and respected. Time flies, and transformations happen so quickly. I love what I'm doing! (Bingo!)
I'm happy to say, December 28, 2012 was my last day in ABA. I feel clean. I am now officially walking my talk. This year is my "Leap of Faith" year. Moving gracefully and easily in the direction of my heart's desire.
I've been working with my private client for almost 3 months now. I love it! I know I'm making a difference. Well, I can go on and on, but I think you'll get a better feel after you read the testimonial that my client recently wrote for me. I'm happy to share it with you. Would love your feedback and comments.
"My high functioning 4 year old verbal autistic son, David, have been working with Lori Shayew for 2 and half months. Prior to working with her, my son was demanding, irrational, controlling, having random tantrums and uncontrollable meltdowns on a daily basis. His behavior was worsening and sadly, my husband and I, were considering medication or other means just to have a ‘regular life’. Our household was in a state of continual chaos and stress and our family was being destroyed on many levels. Our son was receiving ABA but it didn’t seem to be making things better and possibly making him worse, we were running out of answers and patience.
At our initial meeting with Lori, she observed many small nuances and behaviors happening not only with my son but also within our whole family dynamic that were contributing to his distressing behavior. Lori’s influence and coaching became visibly transformative to my son and me. Lori has helped me and my family embrace another perspective about autism instead of demonizing it as a destroyer of our child and family; a perception with possibilities and hope.
Lori has helped me accept my child for WHO HE IS. This is no small shift, accepting my son has helped me open the door to understanding him without judgment and enabled me to cultivate my compassion towards him and everyone else who is somewhat ‘different’ or that doesn’t fit into my standard of ‘normal’. This is a tremendous realization and relief. A relief because we had become so accustomed to what the medical community and everyone else who has been in contact with my son have told us about autism and his other issues that need to be fixed. She has allowed me to see him as ‘whole and perfect’ and not a child that is falling short of my or societies standards or expectations. He is a beautiful boy who sees and experiences the world differently.
Working with Lori, families will benefit by her ability to ‘hold the space’ of acceptance, neutrality, love and appreciation. She has helped me learn how to model a new way of behavior towards my son. Through her example and the shifts that have occurred in my son, I can truly see how my attitudes, beliefs and behaviors have affected my son on many levels. These seemingly tuned out kids are actually overly tuned in, more so than we can imagine and they can be true and honest reflection of the environment the are in. Quite honestly, had I not experienced this for myself firsthand I’m not sure if I would have believed it was possible. BUT it is possible and by working with Lori families will discover the possibilities and gifts their child is giving them every single day." -Trish L.~ Claremont, CA
Much Love,
Lori
www.thegiftsofautism.com
