Issue 8

Hello, Beyond the Label Family! 👋

We're back with another exciting edition of the Beyond the Label Newsletter, and you won't want to miss it! 🌈

Self-Care for the Autism Caregiver’s Heart

Seek Community - Locate online or local support groups to exchange stories, ideas and encouragement with fellow autism parents. You are not alone. Organizations like Autism Speaks offer resources.

Make Time for Your Marriage - Schedule weekly date nights, child-free getaways, and open communication. Nurture this vital relationship depleted by endless caregiving.

Exercise - Release stress hormones and clear your mind with regular cardio, yoga, or other movement that energizes you. Even 10-15 minutes helps.

Laugh - Watch silly movies, listen to comedy skits, or read funny parenting blogs. Laughter counters the constant seriousness.

You cannot pour from an empty cup. Prioritizing self-care leaves you stronger for the challenges ahead. What are your best autism parent self-care tips?

ADHD-Friendly Ways to Get Healthier

Like everyone, those with ADHD aim to exercise consistently, eat nutritious foods and feel energized. But executive functioning challenges make forming healthy habits extra difficult. Typical fitness plans and diets just don’t “stick.”

The good news? With the right mindset tweaks and systems, people with ADHD absolutely can improve their wellbeing. Try these tactics:

Focus on How, Not What – Forget lengthy to-do lists dictating what to eat and do. Establish systems creating the circumstances for regular healthy behaviors instead of demanding specifics. For example, join an evening spin class with friends to encourage exercise consistency, no motivation required in the moment.

Rewards Over Punishments – Positive reinforcement works better for ADHD brains than criticizing lapses. Celebrate healthy choices by treating yourself to fun experiences, items or downtime.

Rule of 3 – Overhauling all life areas causes quick burnout. Pursue just 1-3 small changes at once – like adding a veggie to each lunch, choosing water over soda, or taking a brief walk daily. Tiny steps accumulate.

Loop Habits – Linking a new habit, like taking vitamins, to an existing consistent behavior – like morning coffee – locks it in. Anchor habits to cues already etched into your routine.

Prep for Success – Spend time preparing ingredients and snacks in advance so healthy foods are readily available for busy days. Stock grab-and-go options like chopped veggies, hummus, boiled eggs and fruit.

Make It Social – Turn fitness into community time by joining sports teams, clubs, or exercising with friends. Social motivation provides needed accountability.

With these ADHD-friendly techniques, improved wellbeing is possible in 2024. Consistency beats intensity. Small changes snowball into lifelong positive impact. What are your tips and tricks for maintaining health habits with ADHD?

Raising Anti-Ableist Children

Children notice and replicate the world around them – for better or worse. As parents, we must be intentional about raising kids who reject ableism and embrace disability justice. With young minds open to new perspectives, our homes offer the chance to cultivate anti-ableist children through:

Books - Read stories featuring disabled characters as heroes and friends. Learn about disability rights history. See reading lists from Disability Visibility Project and Cooperative Children’s Book Center.

Inclusive Media - Introduce shows and movies spotlighting disabilities in a positive, humanizing light. Block programming using hurtful stereotypes and tropes.

Role Models - Expose children to accomplished disabled adults through social media, speakers, or community events. Follow advocates like Amythest Schaber and Alice Wong.

Language Use - Reject ableist phrases like “that’s crazy.” Teach person-first language: “people with disabilities” rather than “the disabled.”

Ask Experts - Don’t rely on assumptions. Reach out to disability rights organizations for guidance on being an ally. Follow hashtags like #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs.

Normalize Accommodations - Demonstrate how we all have different needs. Share your own accommodations normalized at school/work like captioning or ergonomic chairs.

Highlight Contributions - Note the many indispensable societal contributions of disabled people both past and present. Talk about inventions, art, policies.

Discuss Representation - Point out lack of authentic disability representation in media and culture. Critically analyze with kids.

Live Our Values - Call out ableism when you see it through respectful, constructive advocacy that sets an example.

An ableism-free world starts at home. Help kids understand disability as natural diversity to value equally. What conversations and examples can foster the next generation of allies? Share your wisdom!

Join the Beyond the Label movement and make a difference! Together, we can create a world that celebrates unique abilities and embraces diversity. 🌍

Ready to embark on this exciting journey with us? Explore our latest collection, and let's make a difference, one book at a time. 📖

Thank you for being a part of Beyond the Label! 🌟

Warm regards, Beyond the Label Team 📚🌟

PS: Stay tuned for more inspiring stories, updates, and resources in our next newsletter! 📬🎉