Provide a supportive environment: Create a supportive and nurturing environment for your child. Encourage open communication, active listening, and express unconditional love and acceptance. Offer consistent routines and clear expectations to provide structure and stability for your child.

Promote social skills: Have your child play with other children to help them develop their social skills. Show them how to share, take turns, and resolve conflicts in a positive way.

Encourage language development: Talk to your infant, read books with your toddler, and play games with your preschooler. If you have concerns about speech or language delays, consider consulting with a speech-language pathologist for evaluation and intervention.

Manage sensory sensitivities: If your child exhibits sensory sensitivities, work with them to develop strategies for managing sensory overload. This may include providing sensory breaks, using sensory-friendly toys or materials, or creating a calm and predictable environment at home. Consulting with an occupational therapist who specializes in sensory integration may also provide helpful strategies and interventions.

Teach emotional regulation: Help your child develop emotional regulation skills by teaching them to identify and express their emotions in healthy ways. Encourage them to use words to express their feelings, and provide tools such as deep breathing or walking away to help them calm down when they are upset.

Develop a positive mindset: Encourage a positive mindset by using the power of “yet” (see the definitions page for details). Celebrate your child’s strengths and achievements. Focus on their progress and efforts rather than their challenges. Provide authentic and specific praise for their achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Remember that every child develops at their own pace, and progress takes time.

Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself as a parent is essential in supporting your child’s well-being. Make sure to prioritize self-care and seek support from friends and family. Taking care of your own mental, emotional, and physical health can help you better support your child’s needs.

Document the behavior: Documenting your child’s behavior can help professionals understand exactly what you are concerned about. The easiest way to do this is to take a short video of the child. You could also use tally marks to know how often the behavior happens, or journaling to help you remember what happened on what date and at what time.

Ask for help: If you have concerns about your child’s behavior, talk to your pediatrician or a developmental specialist. They can assess your child’s development and provide recommendations for appropriate interventions or therapies if needed.

Collaborate with professionals: If your child is receiving professional interventions or therapies, collaborate with the healthcare providers or therapists involved to use their recommendations at home. Consistency between home and therapy settings is beneficial in supporting your child’s progress.