Taking Care of You!
Self-care is a majority priority right now so that we can make our feelings and responses to stress more manageable. The activities "What is Self-Care?" and "How Do You Self-Care?" have been two great ways to introduce the concept of self-care and explore a variety of ways to take care of the body and mind.
When introducing "What is Self-Care?", I have clients use their own words to describe what self-care means to them. Quite often clients share physical ways to recharge like playing a sport, deep breathing or even yoga. "What is Self-Care?" encourages clients to expand their idea of self-care to include checking in with their feelings (the good and challenging!) and ways to distract or declutter the mind.
Physical Self-Care
Emotional Self-Care
Mental Self-Care
Next, I follow this activity with "How Do You Self-Care?" as a way to explore new ideas and share preferences with others. Caregivers, clients and clinicians can join in, writing down answers to the self-care preferences; then sharing their preferences with each other and highlighting the similarities and any new ideas or activities to try. These activities are just as helpful for adults as they are for children.
Self-care strategies are necessary to help the body and mind recharge so that we can continue to handle whatever life throws at us.
Written by expert clinicians, the activities in this workbook support a foundation of social-emotional language, an increase in consistency and routine, regulation of tough emotions, and the formation of connections with others.
Inside you will find 116 easy-to-use, solution-focused activities and worksheets developed with a trauma-informed lens that promote skills such as:
- Building a sense of safety in your environment
- Fostering trust and positive regard
- Establishing healthy coping skills
- Promoting problem-solving pathways
- Developing personal empowerment, confidence and wellness
Laura K. Sibbald, MA, CCC-SLP, ASDCS, CYMHS, is a nationally-certified speech-language pathologist who has extensive experience supporting the social-emotional and pragmatic language needs of students and families within the Washington, DC, metropolitan region. She works as an instructional specialist for students with autism in Prince George's County Public Schools, Maryland and has developed and implemented a variety of professional learning opportunities surrounding social-emotional competence at the state and national level.
Laura is a coauthor of the Trauma-Informed Social-Emotional Toolbox for Children & Adolescents: 116 Worksheets & Skill-Building Exercises to Support Safety, Connection & Empowerment (PESI, 2020) and the Parenting Toolbox: 125 Activities Therapies Use to Reduce Meltdowns, Increase Positive Behaviors & Manage Emotions (PESI, 2018). Both workbooks provide practical strategies that can easily transfer into clinical and educational professional practices. Most recently, Laura was a guest speaker and moderator at PESI's 2021 Autism Symposium, where she discussed Navigating Autism through a Trauma Informed Lens. Laura also had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Temple Grandin in the key note Different... Not Less. Laura was an expert panelist for the 2020 Parenting Autism Summit, sponsored by The Behavior Revolution, LLP., and is certified as an Autism Spectrum disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS). She is a member of the multicultural affairs committee of the Maryland Speech-Language and Hearing Association, focusing on the promotion of equity practices n diverse communicators. To further support growth and achievement of children with disabilities, Laura earned additional certifications as a Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) Certified Educator and in Educational Leadership and supervision. She graduated from The George Washington University in 2011 with a Master's in speech-language pathology.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Laura Sibbald is the founder and CEO of ND SLP Advocate, LLC., and has an employment relationship with Chestnut Hill College. She receives royalties as a published author. Laura Sibbald receives a speaking honorarium, recording, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Laura Sibbald serves on the advisory board for Shrub Oak International School.
Lisa Weed Phifer, DEd, NCSP, is a nationally certified school psychologist, certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, and author who has a well-established career supporting school-based mental health and social emotional learning for children and adolescents. Phifer's work has focused on integrating cognitive-based therapy (CBT) and core social emotional competencies into practical, child-focused activities. She has presented across the U.S. and internationally to educators, clinicians, and parents on topics of CBT, trauma-informed practices, and social emotional learning. She is the lead author of the CBT Toolbox for Children & Adolescents (PESI, 2017), Parenting Toolbox (PESI, 2018 and the Trauma-Informed Social Emotional Toolbox for Children & Adolescents (PESI, 2020). Additionally, she is published in the School Mental Health Journal and contributed to both editions of Supporting and Educating Traumatized Children (Rossen, 2020).
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Lisa Weed Phifer receives royalties as a published author and has an employment relationship with Fairfax County Public Schools. She receives a speaking honorarium, recording royalties, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Lisa Weed Phifer has no relevant non-financial relationships.
