And Now What?

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At the end of every school year, families typically already have their summer holidays planned, and graduates are eager to start their "Next Chapter". This year, however, almost everyone just wants to "Get Back to Normal". But what exactly does "Getting Back to Normal" look like now?

 We are currently living in "Historical Times", and it is up to us alone to create our New Normal. The impact of the pandemic has been tremendous worldwide, and every country is doing its best to protect its people. Still, every family, every business, every community, every city, etc. has different needs, and as a result, certain government guidelines seem unfair to some. It is important to remember, however, that these businesses have to follow all of the government guidelines to be able to keep serving their communities as effectively as possible at this time. It is crucial that everyone at least tries to respect each other's decisions, as well as support each other along the way.

 And what about the graduates? Almost every one of them is asking: "And now what?"

Schools and universities are still trying to figure out the best way to follow government guidelines while continuing to offer education safely and effectively in the future. Schools with on-campus housing are facing an even trickier situation when it comes to planning for the future and respecting safety regulations.

Not to mention that some graduates are ready to start working, but where exactly do you work during Covid-19 Times?

Whatever your situation is, remember that there is always a bright side- and it is essential to look for it! Don't get discouraged. Think about things you could have gratitude for. Maybe this time already helped you to:

  • Have more quality time with your family.

  • Organize your home.

  • Read more books.

  • Watch movies or TV shows you didn't have time for before!

  • Appreciate the importance of having your trash pickup and your mail/packages delivered at your front door.

  • Realize that it is up to you to have a good day!

Please take the time to reflect on your personal situation and recognize the positive impacts you give and receive. Also, think about the positive impact you can still have on others! Graduates, ask yourselves: How can I:

  • Celebrate my graduation in an original way?

  • Help at home?

  • Adapt to the school's new rules?

  • Get involved and support my community and/or new school?

  • Use my knowledge and apply for a job opportunity considering the current options?

  • Make a positive impact, and help others?

Remember that we all have different abilities and gifts that are beneficial. Sometimes we just need to find the right place and/or environment to utilize them- and if there are no opportunities in sight, create your own!

  • Send your resume to places you would like to work, even if they don't have openings at this moment. Do your research in finding similar places to send your resume too.

  • Create your own business.

  • Talk with others about your abilities and do something together.

  • Teach what you know.

  • Take this time to study more so you can be even more prepared later.

 We have all had different experiences with the quarantine and shelter in place regulations- some good, some bad. While staying at home might seem like a dream to some, others have been faced with extreme difficulties in many areas.  Many people have suffered incredible losses, so it is imperative that we all strive to be more empathetic as a whole. In the end, we all are in this together. So, look out for each other, support each other, have a positive attitude, and MAKE IT HAPPEN! If we raise each other during these unthinkably hard times, nothing can stop us from succeeding.

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Since this information can be read online anywhere in the world, I encourage you to visit The St. Anthony School Webpage: https://www.thestanthonyschool.com and Social Media: Facebook, Instagram & YouTube Channel for more information about Autism and other Neurological Disorders.

 About the Author:

Alicia MC is a Writer, a Neurodiversity Advocate, and a Corporate and Social Media Marketing Specialist eager to share her experience & knowledge to help others.

J'NELL GREENBlog, TSASblog, TheStAnthonySchoolBlog, DFW, DFW Schools, DFW Private Schools, Depression, learning disorders, sensory problems, Sensory Issues, Carrollton, Carrollton TX, TSAS, The St Anthony School, The St Anthony School Carrollton, Tony Cinquepalmi, AANE, Asperger’s Association of New England, ABA, Applied Behavior Analysis, Applied Behavior Analysis Behavioral therapy, ABC, Autism Behavior Checklist, ABI, Adaptive Behavior Inventory, ABLE, Adult Basic Literacy Education, ABLLS, Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills test, ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, AD, Attachment Disorder, ADD, Attention Deficit Disorder, ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADOS, Autism Diagnostic Observation Scale, AIT, Auditory Integration Therapy, AMA, American Medical Association, APD, Auditory Processing Disorder, APE, Adaptive Physical Education, ARI, Autism Research Institute, ARRI, Autism Research Review International, Quarterly publication from the ARI, AS, Asperger’s Syndrome (DSM IV 299.80), Autistic Spectrum, ASA, Autism Society of America, ASD, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, ASHA, American Speech & Hearing Association, ASPEN, Asperger Syndrome Parent Education Network, ASPIE, A person with Asperger’s Syndrome, AUTIE, A person with Autism, BBRS, Burks’ Behavior Rating Scale, BCBA, Board Certified Behavioral Analyst, BD, Behavioral Disorder, BD/ED, Behavior Disordered Emotionally Disturbed, BIC, Behavior Improvement Class, BIP, Behavior Improvement Plan, BMP, Behavior Management Plan, BOCES, Board of Cooperative Educational Services, BP, Bi-Polar (formerly called “manic-depressive”), BSC, Behavioral Specialist Consultant, BSU, Behavioral Services Unit, CADDRE, Center for Autism & Developmental Disabilities Research & Epidemiology, CAP, Client Assistance Program administered by the Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services, CAPD, Central Auditory Processing Disorder, CARD, Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (used in Florida), Center for Autism and Related Disorders (used in Maryland and many other states), CARS, Childhood Autism Rating Scale (diagnostic and evaluation tool), CASSP, Child and Adolescent Service System Program, CBH, Community Behavioral Health, CCBH, Community Care Behavioral Health, CD, Conduct Disorder, CH.A.D.D., Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder, CHARGE, Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment, CHAT, Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, CHOP, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, CI, Community Integration, CMS, Children’s Medical Services, COSAC, Center for Outreach and Services for the Autistic Community (New Jersey), COTA, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, CPEA, Collaborative Programs of Excellence in Autism, CPS, Child Protective Services, CSE, Committee for Special Education (called “MDT” in some states), CST, Child Study Team, CVPD, Central Vision Processing Disorder, DAN, Defeat Autism Now! (http://www.autism.com), DAS, Developmental Apraxia of Speech, DCD, Development Coordination Disorder, DD, Developmentally Delayed, Developmental Disabilities, Developmental Disorder, DDD, Department of Developmental Disabilities, DHHS, Department of Health and Human Services, DS, Developmental Services, DSM, Diagnostic Statistical Manual, DSM-IV, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 4th Edition, DSMR, Diagnostic Statistical Manual (Revised) - preceded DSM-IV, DTVMI, Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration, DX, Diagnosis, diagnosed, EASe, Electronic Auditory Stimulation effect, EBD, Emotional Behavioral Disorder, ECSE, Early Childhood Special Education, ED, Emotionally Disturbed, EFD, Executive Functioning Disorder, EH, Emotionally Handicapped, EI, Early Intervention, EIBI, Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention, EMH, Educable Mentally Handicapped, EOH, A list serve on Yahoogroups.com named after the book, Evidence of Harm by David Kirby, EPD, Enzyme Potentiated Desensitization, EPSDT, Early & Periodic Screening, Diagnosis & Treatment Program, ERIC, Educational Resources Information Center, a computer database of educational information, ESE, Exceptional Student Education, FAQ, Frequently Asked Questions (an info sheet in Q&A format), FAS, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, FC, Facilitated Communication, FDSS, Family Driven Support Services, fMRI, Functional MRI (brain scan test), FSP, Family Support Plan, FSS, Family Support Services, GAF, Global Assessment of Functioning scale, GARS, Gilliam Autism Rating Scale, GED, General Education Development (a test in place of High School Diploma), HFA, High Functioning Autism, HSLDA, Home School Legal Defense Organization, ICF, Intermediate Care Facility, IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IEP, Individualized Education Plan, IFSP, Individualized Family Service Plan, IQ, Intelligence Quotient, JADD, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, LD, Learning Disability, Learning Disabled, LEA, Local Education Agency, LRE, Least Restrictive Environment, M-D, Manic Depression (now called bipolar depression), MDO, Major Depressive Disorder, MDT, Multi-Disciplinary Team (called “CSE” in some states), MFC, Marriage and Family Counselor, MFCC, Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor, MFE, Multi-Factored Evaluation, MH, Mental Health, Mentally Handicapped; Mentally Retarded (IQ less than 70), MPD, Multiple Personality Disorder, MRI, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MSDD, Multi-system developmental disorder, NBD, Neurobiological Disorder, NDA, Not Diagnosed with Anything, NICHCY, National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities, NIEHS, National Institute of Environmental Health Services, NIMH, National Institute of Mental Health, NINDS, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NJCOSAC, New Jersey Center for Outreach & Services for the Autism Community, NOD, Not Otherwise Defined, Not Otherwise Diagnosed, NORD, National Organization for Rare Disorders, NOS, Not of Specific Origin, Not Otherwise Specified, usually seen as PDD-NOS, NPD, Normal Person Disorder, NPND, National Parent Network on Disabilities, NT, Neurologically Typical, Neurotypical, NVLD, Non-Verbal Learning Disability, NYD, Not Yet Diagnosed, OAAC, Office of Advocacy for Autistic Children, OASIS, On-line Asperger’s Syndrome Information and Support, OCB, Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior, OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Office of Child Development, Oppositional Conduct Disorder, OCYF, Office of Children, Youth, and Families, ODD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, OMHSAS, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, ORS, Office of Rehabilitation Services, OSEP, Office of Special Education Programs, OSERS, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, OSP, Office of Social Programs, OT, Occupational Therapist or therapy, OVR, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, PANDAS, Pediatric Autoimmune Neurological Disorder Associated with Strep, Part B, References parts of IDEA which covers education of ages 3-22, PCA, Personal Care Assistant, PDD, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, PDDNOS, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, PDR, Physician’s Desk Reference, PECS, Picture Exchange Communication System, PEN, Parent Education Network, POA, Power of Attorney, POHI, Physically or Otherwise Health Impaired, PPCD, Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities, PPO, Preferred Physician Organization, Preferred Provider Option, PPS, Pupil Personnel Services, PQ, Performance IQ, PRT, Pivotal Response Training, PT, Physical Therapist or Therapy, PTIC, Parent Training and Information Center, PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PUNS, Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services, PwD, People with Disabilities, RDI, Relationship Developmental Intervention, SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder (aka “Wintertime Depression”), SBH, Severe Behavior Handicap, SCD, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, SD, School District, SED, Severely Emotionally Disturbed, SELPA, Special Education Local Plan Area (used in CA), SERRC, Special Educational Regional Recourse Center, SI, Sensory Integration, SID, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, SIB, Self-injurious behavior, SIPT, Sensory Integration and Praxis Text, SLP, Speech and Language Pathologist, SNT, Special Needs Trust, SuperNu Thera - by Kirkman Labs, Sped, special education, SSA, Social Security Administration, SSD, Social Security Disability, SSRI, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors - class of meds, incl: Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, SST, Student Study Team, STAART, Studies to Advance Autism Research and Treatment, STRANS, Survey of Teenage Readiness And Neurodevelopmental Status, TACA, Talk About Curing Autism, TEACCH, Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Disorders, TMG, TriMethylGlycine (see also DMG), TOPL, Test of Pragmatic Language, TS, Tourette’s Syndrome, TSS, Therapeutic Support Staff, VB, Verbal Behavior, Voc-Ed, Vocational Education, VQ, Verbal IQ, VR, Vocational Rehabilitation, WAIS, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (an IQ test), WIIA, Work Incentives Initiative Act, WISC, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (an IQ test), WPPSI, Weschler Preschool Primary - testing for under age 6