Developing resilience is key to the Thrive Approach. How can we challenge ourselves, push our boundaries and ultimately learn without crafting a resilient mindset?
We were recently lucky enough to sponsor the Young Person/Youth Achievement category at the nasen Awards. Celebrated for his dedication to supporting others with autism, Jack Whitfield was crowned the winner. Click here to read a little more about Jack.
Alongside our sponsorship, Dr Paula Holbrook explored the nature of resilience within nasen Connect.
We are among the most social and reliant of all mammals. Unlike other mammals, we do not rely solely on our own resources to keep ourselves and our children safe, unlike polar bears and pandas for example (both of which are threatened with extinction). While some mammals live longer in captivity, we also know they are often unable to flourish and thrive.
Although captive environments can be safe from physical threat they may not allow a secure enough sense of self through meeting the individual’s own needs and expressing their own behaviours. They also deny the captive the chance to meet the needs of the social group they belong to and for natural group behaviour to be expressed.
This is the same for us. We have built a captive environment for ourselves, so that our children can lead longer lives, but unless those lives are fulfilling, they will not be able to flourish and thrive.
Paula follows by explaining the nature of resilience within humans, specifically during adolescence. How can we help children and young people to reach their potential? How can we enable them to successfully manage life’s ups and downs?
Click here to continue reading.
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