Interview with Sue Simmons of Equinox Family Consulting
Recently I had the opportunity to talk to Sue Simmons with Equinox Family Consulting. Sue specializes in helping families transform the emotional chaos into a calm family environment.
Sue has been in the game of helping neurodiverse children and their families for over 15 years. She has some first-hand experience in the development of families with atypical children, raising her now 23 year old autistic son who was diagnosed at 5 years old.
According to Sue, “My mess is now my message.” She has refined her skills in helping families shift from dealing with “bad” behavior to understanding the different operating system of atypical children.
Many are so used to the behavior of a “normal” child that we think something is wrong with the behavior of a child with autism.
A child with autism does not exhibit the usual growth-seeking mindset that most children do, so they need something different in their day to day. These children are not wrong for how they are wired, but only require different interaction to learn the same life lessons.
We as parents need a different pathway to take when teaching and coaching our autistic children. The information processing is different, therefore the way we present information must be different if we want them to develop the same skills. This is the hurdle we need to leap over when raising a child with autism.
The truth is that if a parent is committed to the development of their child, they will see that the way they deal with the behavior is what really needs to change. The pathway to the solution is the right stimulation at the right time in order to connect parents and children. Show up in the face of behavior in a different way.
The behavior is what you see. The reason behind the behavior what we as parents and professionals need to address.
To all you rockstar moms and dads out there with the deep commitment to nurturing and developing. We applaud you. Although it is not easy, you have the power to create an amazing adult using a different path.
Visit www.equinoxfamilyconsulting.com to find out more about Sue does to help families improve their relationships, shift their mindsets and develop happy and healthy environments.
All my best,
Gabriele Nicolet
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