“Why is Kindness important?
“Kindness is choosing to do something that helps others or yourself, motivated by genuine warm feelings and an intention to be caring. Kindness often means putting other people’s needs before our own. It could be by giving up our seat on a bus to someone who might need it more or offering to carry books for your friend at school.
“Kindness for others and ourselves is both an act of care and connectedness. Being kind to others (and self) is a powerful interactive and social skill for anyone on the Autism Spectrum to have or attain. One of the easiest ways to learn how to be kind, or to be motivated to be kind, is through Celebration.
“Here at the Autism Treatment Center of America, we love using CELEBRATIONS as a powerful and fun Son-Rise Program learning technique. So, what are ways you can CELEBRATE your child on the Autism Spectrum for their acts of kindness?
“Here are some areas to celebrate your child behaving in a kind manner:
– Notice and acknowledge any acts of kindness your child does with others. Such as, sharing their food or toys, helping out around the house with chores, being gentle with their siblings, and helping out without being asked.
-Notice and acknowledge any acts of kindness your child does for them self, including any self-care behaviors, such as isming (engaging in repetitious, soothing behaviors!).
– Other self-caring acts of kindness you can celebrate: your child telling you what game she prefers, the clothes chosen by your child to wear today, knowing how to use the bathroom on their own, and letting you know they need your help.
“Ways to celebrate your child’s acts of kindness:
– Write a secret note celebrating an act of kindness you observed your child doing.
– Explain to your child why their act of kindness benefited you.
– Share with your other children an act of kindness your child on the A Spectrum did for you.
– Have a party! You can create a Kindness Party where you role-play acts of kindness and celebrate each other.
– Give a gift/token of appreciation with your celebration.
– Create a Kindness Award of the week in your family!
– Role-model celebrating others for their kindness, such as, when you notice your child’s siblings being kind to them.
– Have the family write moments of kindness they experienced on a sticky note then stick each note on a bulletin board displaying all the acts of kindness experienced in the family.
“Remember, being kind has many benefits for both the person giving and the person receiving acts of kindness. The more we notice and celebrate kindness, the more it will grow in our lives.
‘The world is full of kind people, if you can’t find one, be one.’
“Have a kind-filled day!!!”
Suzanne Pruss, Son-Rise Program Teacher