Your Partner in Autism Parenting
The CALM Compass is an online program with short videos, worksheets, tools, and written scenarios to support you in parenting
There are four directions (modules) for you to learn from: CONNECT, ARTICULATE, LIFT and MOVE. Each of these directions points you towards specific skills and strategies you will use in everyday situations. For instance, how to respond to a meltdown; how to prepare and plan for problems; or how to help mediate challenging transitions.
Positive Program Outcomes for Parents and Caregivers
CONNECT
- Relate more to your child.
- Respond effectively to challenging situations.
- Regulate your child’s behavior by simply understanding what action steps to take and which tools to use for each situation.
ARTICULATE
- Reflect how your child comes across to you and others with kindness and compassion.
- Reframe your language and communications to help your child get unstuck and change their perspective.
- Review with your child the progress they’ve made and the goals they continue to pursue.
LIFT
- Redirect your child to other topics, activities and tasks when they’re feeling stuck.
- Reassure your child to help them feel confident and overcome barriers to their challenges.
- Reinforce ways they are coping and adapting in positive ways, especially in challenging situations.
MOVE
- Rehearse coping skills or social skills to help build resilience and prevent a negative response or action by your child.
- Repair/Redo when your child makes a mistake to help minimize the negative feelings of failure.
- Recreate with your child to promote leisure, sports and exercise as a way for health social interactions.
Learn from Mitch Leppicello, LICSW
Mitch is a Certified Autism Specialist and nd holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from Fordham University in New York. He has 30+ years of experience providing mental health services for children, adolescents, and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). He helps parents and caregivers navigate the countless challenges associated with parenting individuals of all ages with Autism and is the creator of The CALM Compass.
Mitch has served on the advisory boards of local schools and community organizations supporting positive mental health practices for children and families. He has advanced clinical certifications in both Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and Thought Field Therapy (TFT).
The goal of The CALM Compass is to put positive and proactive parenting tools and strategies in the hands of people who need them the most: parents and caregivers of children with Autism.
Hear an Introduction of The CALM Compass
Evidence-based, tangible strategies backed by Mitch’s 30+ years of experience working with people with Autism and their parents.
Communicate Clearly Together
- Respond effectively when your child is having a meltdown
- Prepare for problems
- Mediate challenging transitions without conflict
- Avoid conflict and power struggles
- Help your child learn and grow
- Regulate your child’s (and your own) emotions in times of stress and challenging situations
- Clarify your words and communicate in positive ways
- Help your child understand themselves better
- Use verbal and non-verbal ways to Reframe
- Change yours and your child’s perspectives to overcome challenges
- Strengthen your child’s social and emotional skills
The more you learn how to communicate clearly and effectively with your child, the better you’ll be able to help them succeed.
FAQs About The CALM Compass
This program helps a multitude a groups but it ultimately benefits the those with neurodiverse needs and challenges. It also helps parents and caregivers directly with strategies and supports; and schools, clinics, and centers.
Yes! It is based on the foundation of best parenting practices, these strategies and tools can be applied to kids of all abilities. Many videos address specific challenges for Autistic kids and families and solutions for those challenges.
The tools inside The CALM Compass work best for parents of kids who speak. There are visual strategies that work well for non-speaking ASD individuals too.
It’s for anyone looking for a different way of communicating and parenting Autism and neurodiversity and is best applied to kids in early childhood through young adulthood.
It is set up like an online course, so it is self-paced in a “self-help” model that can be used in conjunction with a school, clinic, or even a therapy practice. Any professional working with Autistic individuals can use this cloud workbook style and the strategies inside.
Each learner is different. Consider this program like a virtual workbook. The time it takes to complete each direction of the compass – 4 in total – will vary. There are videos, worksheets to download, examples to review, and printable tools you can use in your home. This program can be accessed regularly as your family needs evolve and change.
Yes, studies have shown that early interventions involving parents can lead to long-term benefits for children with Autism. Mitch specializes in CBT and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy in his clinical practice. The methods and strategies inside The CALM Compass stem from over 30 years of clinical experience and include a dynamic approach with elements of education, best parenting practices, and an emphasis on developmentally appropriate dialogue and activities.
Learn Parenting Best Practices from a Certified Autism Specialist
Includes:
- All four courses of The CALM Compass: CONNECT, ARTICULATE, LIFT AND MOVE.
- Dozens of lessons with helpful videos, downloadable exercises, parenting tips and strategies
- Unlimited access for 1 year
- Built-in discussion feature to ask Mitch questions
