Looking Forward Life Coaching Sara Swan is the founder and life coach of Looking Forward Life Coaching that provides guidance for people with disabilities and their families. She uses a the Person Centered Thinking and Person Centered Plan to create a guidebook to assist in life’s transitions. She has been on both sides of the table as a former special education teacher, specializing in the transition age, and also as a guardian for her uncle who is profoundly disabled.

Transitions Changing stumbling blocks to stepping stones

What is transition? It is passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another: change. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary) According to parents and caregivers it is:

Examples of common transitions School to the workforce From childhood home to group home or other home situation Changing classes at school From one grade in school to the next Changes in life situation (divorce, death, birth, etc…) Or, simply, from one task to another

What emotions occur during transitions? Anxiety Depression Fear Excitement Feeling Overwhelmed Confusion Anger

What emotions occur during transitions for people with disabilities? Anxiety Depression Fear Excitement Feeling Overwhelmed Confusion Anger

At times, handling these transitions feel like this…

Here are some tips to go from this…

To this…

For the everyday transitions: Getting up in the morning Getting ready for school Weekly activities

Consistency is the key Changes take time – give a two minute warning Processes provide comfort – lay out clothes needed for the next day Provide opportunities to build independence – have all materials in one easy-to-find place.

Timers Two different functions – How much time is needed to complete the task – Prepare for the next one. Do not use for time outs

Family meeting A time to sit down to discuss events A voice for everyone minutes at most The same time each week

Calendars To map out activities Managing the calendar is a family event A visual of the upcoming events Different views (daily, weekly, monthly) can provide different perspectives Sync them with smart phones or tablets.

Essential Phone Numbers Keep all the essential phone numbers together – Weather line for the sports team – School attendance – Nurse – Kid’s doctors – Carpool A common place that everyone would know to look

For the life changing transitions: Moving out Starting a new job A family change

Ease into Life Transitions by using Calendars Calendars are important when mapping out the big changes in life. Countdown Processes build comfort – A paper chain – Big red X

Evaluating Life Changes – A Family Process A list of what will be positive about the change What will be difficult for the change Not a tell all It will create a clearer vision

Seek out many options Make sure you check out all that is offered Challenge your first selection to ensure the best choice Challenge your limiting thinking – Is it possible we can do X AND Y?

Advice – A double edged sword Seeking advice can… – Provide comfort – Give a different perspective – Provide needed expertise Seeking advice can… – Make you start to question your decisions – Lead you down the wrong path ADVICEADVICE

You are your child’s best advocate You know what is best for you and your family Follow your gut Stick with it Constant change is not healthy for anyone

But I don’t want to go!!!!

Don’t make mountains out of molehills Postpone First priority is your family Wait until everyone is prepared and ready to go

We did all your tips and he still struggled…. They aren’t ready Your child is communicating and it is your job to interpret it Go back to the drawing board

My child is not good at any transitions…. None of us are good at transitions You know your kid, I promise! Transitions will work GO AWAY!

Turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones A life coach… creates goals for a person to work towards to accomplish some of life’s transitions. encourages the individual and family during the frustrating, difficult, challenging times. provides a listening ear, a guided hand, and clear mind to navigate through the vast roadways of life.

We simply have to change the stumbling blocks into stepping stones and we will have the peace and happiness that is available in the true treasures of life.

Sara Swan Looking Forward Life Coaching