Reframing ME!

I have spent a wonderful day today at Geneva Centre for Autism's Symposium 2016 (#autism2016). It was wonderful because I got to reconnect with so many previous colleagues who have each gone in interesting directions, and some still doing fantastic work for Geneva Centre. It was wonderful because I started the day off on a plane with a gorgeous sunrise and a brisk walk from the airport to the conference. It was wonderful because I was sharing some of my work, and chatting with those who are in the field is always so rewarding for me. It was wonderful because I see self-reg everywhere, and it has literally had me grinning ear to ear ALL DAY LONG. For me, this is the culmination of the "Year of Reframing". What have I reframed?  Here are a few examples.

• I wrote a research proposal a year ago that included such terms as self control and goal setting and monitoring. I'm better now. I have reframed my understanding of  what self-reg means, and now know it to be an individual's ability to respond to and recover from stressors. And I want to tell EVERYONE about it.
• I look through different eyes at my children. When my teenager shouts in my face, I soften, wondering what the cause of her stress might be that led to her acting like this and how I can help her get back to a state of calm. When my youngest goes from 0 to 60, I feel her pain, and try to engage the interbrain rather than become stressed in annoyance at her inability to slow down. At first, it was hard to make these changes, but it is coming more and more naturally now, and feels so much better!
• I look through different eyes at my husband, family, and friends im much the same way, and it's allowed me to become less judgmental, to change some canalized negative thinking into positive, and connect so much more intimately with each of them. 
• I look at myself differently - I am so much more mindful and aware of how I am really feeling, and what works for me to get to a state of calm contentment. I DO these things more regularly - it's just how I live now, from how I think to how I connect to others to how I spend my time, at work and at play.
• I have reframed my understanding of autism, and use Polyvagal Theory / Social Engagement System Theory to understand what can help or hinder well-being and engagement, rather than looking at it as a list of behavioural symptoms that need to be taught discretely. I see child development in a new light - one that is relationship-based, and focused on self-regulation, engagement, and relating to others.
• To take it a step further, I am much more open to working through ideas, and considering a variety of viewpoints, rather than taking a stance and vehemently pushing aside all others.  Today, I shared many wonderful discussions about how Applied Behaviour Analysis and Self-Reg need not be mutually exclusive. Each has merit and a place in the psychological / educational world, and each has something to contribute to the other. As I mull these ideas over, I'm taking notes, so keep your eyes open for another blog post or paper when these ideas start to come together as a cohesive whole. It may be a complex process!

What have I reframed?  EVERYTHING.  And it's allowed me to more easily move through the steps of self-reg across its 5 domains. And I am just so HAPPY!

How do YOU reframe?  Drop me a line - I'd love to share ideas with you.

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