Self-Care

This short, animated introduction for beginners outlines the first 3 basic steps to meditation. Great for kids and adults alike, the animation is fun, and the ideas behind “how” to mediate are simple and easy to follow.

More and more these days we hear people talking about “mindfulness.” But what is mindfulness? This easy-to-follow video explains and explores what everyday mindfulness is and how being aware of how you feel inside and outside of yourself can have an impact on your everyday life. The primary goal of mindfulness is to achieve a state of alertness and awareness by purposely paying attention to our thoughts and sensations with the goal of finding more inner peace, less stress, and more calm.

With animation made by Disney Studios in conjunction with MindSet, topics in this narrated video include experiencing feelings of anxiety, depression, fear, sadness, “getting stuck/caught-in-place,” social anxiety, avoiding feelings, and allowing ourselves to grieve and process feelings. Sadness is an essential part of the healing process so we can let out our feelings and begin to heal.

Self-Care is not just about our basic, essential needs of healthcare. Self-Care should go beyond the practical to self-nurturing. Lifestyle expert Susan Campbell Cross visits Let’s Talk Autism with Shannon Penrod and guest host Nancy, to share the power of guilt-free self-care skills.

Dr. Jo shares 9 basic stretches to help relax your whole body in this easy-to-follow series of stretches to relax stiff and sore muscles. She recommends that each stretch be held for about 20-30 seconds for the perfect full-body stretch but cautions that you should not hold the stretches, this is just to get the muscles moving and to relax them.

Vishen Lakhaini guides us through this 6-phase meditation which is perfect for beginners to follow along with as they search within themselves for understanding and relaxation.

Sit back and relax on the beach with this hour-long video that’s perfect for unguided meditation!

In this guided meditation, Jeffrey Allen brings us to a space of relaxation where we can enter our “field of infinite potential,” learning to accept ourselves and become all that we choose to be.

mindfulness” is explained, and its benefits are explored. Mindfulness is“ the ability to know what’s going on in your head at any given moment without getting carried away by it.”

This animated video discusses two strategies based in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to overcome negative thoughts.

Insomnia can be very detrimental to mental health, especially for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In order to reduce stress and get a restful night’s sleep, try implementing these calming techniques. The Happify Team provides a brief explanation of techniques for achieving better sleep. How to Calm Your Worries and Sleep Better: A Scientist’s Tips …

Being an autism parent is rewarding but also stressful, and can sometimes lead to anger. The key is not to be ashamed of your anger, but to control it and direct it properly. In this video, Behavior Analyst Dr. Darren Sush talks with Shannon Penrod of Autism Live about accepting and managing your anger as …

Taking care of a child with special needs, such as autism, can be a significant source of stress for the parent. Learn to manage your stress and take care of yourself so that you can function properly to be there for your family. Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr. Liz Matheis hosts a webinar discussing self-support strategies …

Are you a parent of an autistic child? You do not need to walk this path alone. Learn about the many sources of help and support available to parents of children on the spectrum. Children’s Specialized Hospital faculty member and autism mom Megan Fennelly discusses the various forms of support open to parents struggling with …

Autism parents must ensure that they can take care of themselves in order to care for their children. Breathing exercises, diet, meditation and rest can help maintain physical and mental health, especially in stressful or worrisome situations. Learn from Sarah Nissen as she describes her journey as an autism mom, as well as her self-care …

Parenting can be stressful, but the added worry of autism can add even more worry and stress. Reducing stress is critical to maintaining the health and wellbeing of not just the parent, but the entire family. Board certified Behavioral Analyst Dr. Mary Barbera explains how to combat stress when parenting autistic children. Reducing Stress Dealing …

Parents of children with special needs, such as autism, must take care of themselves. Looking after their own needs will better allow them to take care of their children.  Learn from Missy Longman as she discusses self-care strategies for parents of special needs children. She goes in depth on the needs that should be met, …

Being an autism parent can take a toll on your body. A full-body stretch provides a way to not only relieve pain, but also prevent it if done preemptively.This stretch routine is great for when you are feeling sore or if you want to get into the habit of stretching when you wake up or …