The Breakaway

“The Breakaway” is a must have resource for any parent or provider looking for a concrete and realistic approach for guiding their neurodiverse teen into young adulthood. Inspired by the many families with whom the author has worked, the title refers to these, teens/developing young adults, as they face the challenge of taking greater initiative and responsibility for themselves. This practical and relatable guide is designed to help parents develop a plan and strategy appropriate for their specific circumstance. Through the use of real-world case studies and practical suggestions parents will learn to personalize their approach to include well-timed and purposeful nudges forward – promoting progress, not power struggles. Setting goals, creating game plans; staying engaged, but flexible; winning their Breakaway’s trust and cooperation; maintaining a strong relationship even when the inevitable conflicts arise. How do you inspire your Breakaway? How high should goals be set? When should you reassess the plan? How do you provide helpful feedback? When should you intervene and when should you resist the impulse to panic? These are all things that are discussed. The book has been broken down into the major components of a winning strategy. Parents will learn to evaluate their Breakaway’s Readiness For Change, the importance of setting the correct Expectations and giving good Feedback, dealing with the awkwardness of Identity Development, creating a culture of Accountability, allowing for the Resilience factor, projecting Commitment, as well as their own learning curve as parent, and the Human Experience. At the end of each chapter there are questions so the reader can apply the issues raised to gain insight into their Breakaway, and their development. By writing down answers and keeping a journal/notebook it is possible to work through and return to observations, thoughts and feelings at each stage of the process. This is essential to the creation and maintenance of an effective plan and strategy. At the end of the book there is a sample of such a journal, with an expanded case study. This added resource provides an additional point of reference, and is a great example of what another family implemented when faced with similar challenges.