Life comes with many challenges which is why it’s important for kids to have and develop their coping skills, especially when they are dealing with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sensory processing disorder (SPD), anxiety and mood issues. This is because fostering coping skills empowers kids to effectively manage their emotions, navigate difficulties, and enhance their overall well-being. This episode is the first part kicking off our three-part series on building coping skills for our neurodivergent kids and those who have special needs or behavioral or mental health problems.What are coping skills and why are they so important?Coping skills are skills that help you manage stressful events. It all boils down to knowing how to manage and having resources when things get rough. Being able to tolerate stress and still getting the problem solved is something that an individual with amazing coping skills can do. These skills are built over time; we’re not born with them. There's no magic wand for this. Moreover, establishing and maintaining a supportive circle of family and friends can provide emotional support during tough times. Coping skills are what builds resilience, self regulation, and grit. All of these skills are essential in every aspect of our lives. Keep in mind that our goal is to create independent human beings and along with problem solving skills, we need coping skills. Why do special needs kids need even more reinforcement?It takes 34 times doing something for us to learn it at an innate level. For example, you had to cut tomatoes 34 times so that your brain can learn how to do it on autopilot. And when you have a learning and processing issue, at a minimum rate, it has to be done three times that amount. Special needs kids are often faced with challenges in relation to their condition which significantly affects their learning abilities, social interactions, communication skills, and overall development. As such, it’s important to provide them with even more reinforcement to help address these challenges and ensure that they receive the support they need to thrive.What you can do to foster coping skills.In order to foster coping skills to your kids, you have to be a role model to them. You have to be the CEO of your kid’s mental health because positive change starts at home. It’s vital for you to consistently reinforce the positive behaviors that you want in your kids. This is the key to fostering coping skills and further improving your kid’s mental health and frustration tolerance. It’s also important to note that these things are a lot easier when you have a regulated brain and body. Our neurotastic line comes out in August 2023 so make sure to visit our website (https://drroseann.com/help) and get waitlisted.For more information, you can read these blog posts on Anxiety Coping Skills for Teens (https://drroseann.com/anxiety-coping-skills-for-teens/) and 10 Essential Coping Skills forADHD Kids (https://drroseann.com/10-essential-coping-skills-for-adhd-kids/).Mentioned in this episode:Get the FREE Self-Regulation Guide!Do you have a child who gets dysregulated at the drop of a hat, maybe they're cranky and moody and rigid and inflexible? Well, I've got the key to unlock the secrets of successful self-regulation for your child. Get our free resource guide - 147 therapist endorsed self-regulation strategies for children. It's a practical guide for parents and it's a game changer. You can access...