Today on The Dr. Ali Griffith Show, www.thedraligriffithshow.com, you will hear about the power of “receiving” and techniques to ask yourself when in the midst of “emotional constipation”. For an individual consult with Dr. Ali www.draligriffith.com
Our guest today is Neal Phalora, a speaker and mindset coach. He helps high achievers become masters of their mind so they can achieve more in their lives without giving up anything to make it happen. Neal has reinvented himself multiple times from Medical School, to Corporate, to Entrepreneur. His biggest journey was a chronic illness that left him sleeping 3-5 hours a day. Which led to discover the powerful capacity of the brain over the last 6 year. He has combined 10 years of life coaching with brain science to crush limiting behaviors and beliefs…TheBrainWarrior(TM)Method. He is devoted husband and father to four year old twins.
I work to create support groups and coaching for families who have children on the spectrum. Being an Autism myself, I understand the struggles, and obstacles that sometimes may come with parenting a child on the spectrum. I have also recently written a book, #1 Best Selling AU-MAZING GIFT: A Journey to Autism Acceptance.
This past month, I have had the pleasure of interviewing some Au-mazing moms from all over the world to get an idea of what their experiences have been like. I find that when we can connect through each other’s experience, we can also find ways we can help each other.
This week, I spoke with Au-mazing Parent Shantea Lankford. Here is her story:
What were the first signs/symptoms you child has Autism?
I have 2 children with Autism, both presented a little different. My daughter was always different from birth, she did a lot of headbanging at a really early age. At around 2 years we noticed she couldn’t follow directions, wasn’t answering really to her name and daycare brought up that she did not play with her peers. My son started off developing well, answering his name, trying to sing, and pointing. Suddenly it stopped and it was always frustrating and was not speaking at all.
What was your first reaction to your child’s “Autism” diagnosis?
For my daughter it was really like the stages that you go through with grief, I went through them all. However, I am in an education mode right now. My son, I was taken by surprise and the manner of timing was even earlier for him. I took it a lot harder with him.
If you could give one piece of advice to another parent what would it be?
I would say that you should always try to keep a fresh mind even though it is hard to do with all the responsibilities. However, even if it’s the 5 minutes in the shower take that time to recuperate.
What is one of the hardest parts about being a parent of an Autistic child?
The hardest part would be the not knowing their thoughts and feelings. Definitely, for my son who does not speak at all, we have communication devices but I would not know if he is harmed or emotionally hurt by someone.
What is one the most rewarding part about being a parent?
My time to learn my children and get to know them is slowed down a bit. So we have a lot of celebration for the things that we otherwise to take for granted.
How did this autism mom expert end up on Good Morning America?!?
This morning, as I sat in the car service that picks up the Good Morning America guests and experts, I reflected on how the heck did I even get here!
Initially I was hesitant to say “YES” because the invite!
Do you believe that I thought of saying no, because I was already scheduled to be in St. Lucia for vacation! Plus, I was not being asked to come as the guest expert or anything even related to being an autism expert, autism parenting strategist or even as the author of my #1 best seller Au-Mazing Gift: A Journey to Autism Acceptance! Then the reality HIT ME…after I spoke to my coaches and mentors, that this was a BIG DEAL!
1. It was an amazing honor to be selected.
2. It also allowed me the visibility to many other “autism moms” to SHOW them about au-mazing opportunities that are possible as an autism mom.
3. It was an opportunity to learn behind the scenes and to meeting actual producers and other behind the scenes key people in GOOD MORNING AMERICA. My “YES” as a model for this segment came from these three applied success lessons that are in Au-Mazing Gift:
Accept being different: The Good Morning America segment was a spin off from responding to a model call for a magazine, First for Women for a summer makeover. I have never done professional modeling before, but decided to accept that I was a different type of model, an autism mom expert with an edgy look! First, I had to accept my own differences before I expected anyone else, especially AMERICA, to see and accept me.
Unique Strengths: Even though I wasn’t the average size 2 or 4 model sizes desired for magazines or television, choosing the do a makeover entry and appearing on Good Morning America was going to require GUTS! Identifying my beauty and the fact that I have a beautiful, smile, personality and was READY as I have from been a motivational speaker, trainer and positioned in front of audiences in different ways. These were some of my unique strengths.
BE a Noise Maker: In Au-Mazing Gift and the masterclasses I teach autism moms, caregivers and families is to use every moment and access as an opportunity to educate, raise autism awareness and transform the world into accepting the beauty and gifts across autism. Years of hard work, consistency and thinking outside of the box, especially as an autism mom and communication expert, lead to my reaching on Good Morning America. To learn more about the actual steps to the “how” I created this experience and many more sign up to receive updated information, autism parenting strategies and more.
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