http://www.brighterstrongerfoundation.com/blog/rss/feedsBrighter, Stronger Foundation is a community based behavioral health organization. Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:10:17 -0700http://www.brighterstrongerfoundation.com/blog/post/covid19-stress-management--mental-healthhttp://www.brighterstrongerfoundation.com/blog/post/covid19-stress-management--mental-health Many of us don’t realize how stress impacts our behavior. Anxiety and stress can manifest in how we feel, respond to others, and how we feel about ourselves. In times of uncertainty, it helps to pay special attention to how we process stress in unexpected ways, and how to channel that energy to serve us better.Our mission at Brighter, Stronger Foundation is to empower people from all walks of life to lead independent, fulfilling lives. We’re here to support you, and we are still working hard to ensure our community is safe, supported, and healthy.How Stress Affects You and What to Do About ItHave you ever felt cranky and got upset over something small, and then realized it was just because you hadn’t slept well or were hungry? Anxiety is similarly sneaky and can affect behavior and our responses to life’s little inconveniences, especially when compounded by lack of sleep, poor diet, or loss of your normal routine.Some people might react to others more negatively than usual. Being home with your entire family, unable to get away for work or other activities, can make tensions build. If you find that you’ve been snippy with your family, or you have less patience than you normally would, know that this is a normal response to stress and anxiety. If someone in your family seems to act differently, they may be experiencing the same thing without realizing it. Be patient and look for ways to give each other space to manage stress.Recognizing that your behavior and others’ actions may be the result of stress and anxiety is important. Know that you have control over your own reactions to situations and it’s okay to feel a little bit less like yourself.Action Steps to Manage AnxietyAlthough it may not seem like it right now, you have control over how you feel. Here are some ways to reduce stress and anxiety.Establish a routine, even if it’s differentIf you’re working from home, try to keep regular working hours in a dedicated office space. This is easier said than done, especially in more challenging living situations, but even a different routine can help preserve structure.Children and adults with autism benefit from routine, so even if it’s not the same as their usual one, developing an at-home routine can help reduce maladaptive behavior. It’s normal to feel frustrated at not being able to do the same activities, but having some type of ritual or schedule is key for individuals who need it.Reduce your media intake, but stay informedYou don’t have to listen to everything you hear. Follow national, state, and local authorities, but don’t feel like you have to keep the news on all day. Set aside a time to check in on what actually affects you, like checking https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/ or your local news website once a day to see if there are any updates.Constantly receiving distressing news updates will make you feel distressed and worried. The best thing to do in a crisis is to remain calm and recognize what we can control. Follow CDC guidelines, listen to local leaders, and keep the media intake to a minimum.Don’t put pressure on yourselfYou don’t have to make the most out of this unexpected block of free time. You don’t have to finally start that creative pursuit, do all of your home improvement projects, or learn to bake bread. If you truly want to try something new, go for it! But don’t put pressure on yourself to be productive if it’s not really aligned with what you want to do right now. It’s okay to just want to relax and watch TV or use your existing coping strategies to feel better.Get outside, but safelyGovernor Hogan’s stay-at-home order doesn’t mean staying inside for weeks. Walking the dog, walks around the neighborhood, or even sitting outside for a little while can make a huge difference in your mood. It’s springtime, the weather is turning nicer, and nature is blooming -- we don’t have to miss out.Additional ResourcesCheck out these additional resources to help you manage your mental health:NAMI COVID-19 Resource and Information GuideAmerican Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of UncertaintyHow to Cope with Anxiety About CoronavirusAnxiety and Depression Association of America: Coronavirus Anxiety Fri, 10 Apr 2020 19:52:00 -0700http://www.brighterstrongerfoundation.com/blog/post/5-ways-to-talk-to-kids-with-disabilities-about-covid19http://www.brighterstrongerfoundation.com/blog/post/5-ways-to-talk-to-kids-with-disabilities-about-covid19 Children with autism or developmental disabilities often struggle with any disruption in their normal routine. With schools closed and some essential services discontinued, it’s important to keep kids informed and calm about what’s going on.Brighter, Stronger Foundation is dedicated to serving families and individuals with behavioral health needs. Learn 5 ways for parents to talk to their children about COVID-19 -- or any major disruption -- to minimize stress on your family.Talking to Children with Autism About COVID-191. Be ClearKids need to know what’s going on in language they can understand. Instead of keeping them in the dark, tell them what is going on. Some language that may be helpful:“There is a virus going around. Viruses are invisible, and they make people sick. Staying home helps us stay healthy.”“There is a new sickness being spread between people. Our bodies have never seen it before, and it is making lots of people sick. School is closed so you and your friends don’t get sick.Children don’t need every detail, so don’t volunteer too much information. Ensure they know that every sniffle is not the coronavirus, and if they’re staying home, there is a low chance of getting it.2. Use Visual StoriesSocial stories are helpful ways to help kids with autism or developmental disabilities understand concepts. They can help children understand situations by giving them both words and pictures to help them visualize a scenario or behavior. Click here for a coronavirus social story to use with your child.3. Talk About How to Stay SafeDevelop a family plan for staying healthy and safe. Practice frequent hand washing, covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing, and the same basic hygiene steps. Encourage these hygiene behaviors, but monitor for extremes such as obsessive hand washing or anxiety about coughing or sneezing. Encourage hygiene, but be sure to avoid making kids even more anxious.4. Keep Communication OpenWe’re all getting daily updates and information is everywhere, and it’s easy to forget that kids don’t have the same awareness that we do. Just being open and available as a comforting resource is crucial for children, and having a parent or adult they trust being there will help reduce stress.Being forthcoming with information when asked is more helpful than leaving things out -- kids tend to worry more when they don’t know what’s going on. Just be sure to keep the answers appropriate to their age and developmental stage.5. Manage Behavior Affected by AnxietyAnxiety manifests in ways we might not expect. A child who is acting out, having more tantrums, or who is more sensitive may be experiencing stress and anxiety. Maintaining their routine as much as possible is difficult, especially if essential services are unavailable. However, even a different routine can help manage maladaptive behaviors.These are difficult times, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, uneasy, or worried about your child’s needs. Take care of yourself so you’re available to take care of your child, and recognize that you’re not alone. When talking to your child, reassure them that this pandemic will end, and we’ll get through this together. Fri, 10 Apr 2020 19:29:00 -0700http://www.brighterstrongerfoundation.com/blog/post/4-things-to-know-about-adult-life-planninghttp://www.brighterstrongerfoundation.com/blog/post/4-things-to-know-about-adult-life-planning Adult life planning is overwhelming for parents in many ways -- your child is growing up and ready to spread their wings, but so many details are up in the air. Transitioning from high school to adult services takes an emotional toll, but there are other legal and financial considerations, too.Brighter, Stronger Foundation is a behavioral health service provider serving Baltimore, Maryland and its surrounding counties. We provide services to children and adults diagnosed with developmental disabilities to help them achieve their full potential. Learn our 4 things to know about adult life planning.1. Think About the Big PictureWhen thinking about what the future holds for your child, first consider the big picture. Where do you envision them living? What employment opportunities might be right for them? Involve your child in this planning and ask for their input on what they might like to do in adulthood.This is called person-focused planning. Don’t just plan around what resources you might think are available -- there are often more services available than you realize, and that’s where your service coordinator can help. Ask the following questions to help figure out the big picture:What do you, as a parent, consider a successful adult life for your child?What does your child consider a successful adult life?What is required to achieve those goals?2. Legal and Medical MattersYour child’s legal status changes when they turn 18, so it’s important to make sure the appropriate legal matters are taken care of. For individuals needing additional support, guardianship and power of attorney should be considered. More independent or higher-functioning students may not need guardianship. A special needs attorney and your service coordinator can assist with establishing guardianship, and it’s best to start this process well before your child turns 18.Don’t forget about state-issued photo identification, even if your child will have a legal guardian or power of attorney. Maryland complies with federal REAL ID regulations, so check with the MVA to determine required documentation.3. Apply for Government BenefitsParents of children with developmental disabilities aren’t alone. There are federal and state benefits available to your adult child to assist not simply with costs of care, but helping your child have a happy, fulfilling life.If your child will remain in school until they are 21, you can apply for benefits before they finish school. Brighter, Stronger Foundation provides premier behavioral health and therapeutic care and offers services to children, transitioning students, and adults, and many of these benefits can be coordinated through our agency. The basic timeline for applying for benefits is as follows:Apply for Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) services starting at age 14 to be put on a waiting listChoose a service coordinating agency, which begins to get involved around age 18 (this is where Brighter, Stronger Foundation comes in!)Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) on their 18th birthdayIf applicable, apply to Division of Rehabilitative Services (DORS) support for employment opportunitiesYour child’s school can help point you in the right direction and provide a more detailed timeline for these services. Your child likely has a dedicated transition coordinator at school who can assist with your child’s unique situation.4. Continue Working to Increase IndependenceAll of us continue learning even in adulthood, and it’s important to continue building skills to increase independence in the community. There are a variety of skills that make your child more confident in their abilities and help them find placement in programs appropriate for them:Hygiene and groomingInterview skillsAppropriate socializationAbility to follow directionsSafe travel practicesSelf-controlLearning is a life-long journey, and continuing to build new skills will help your adult child successfully transition into a fulfilling adult life.Baltimore, MD Behavioral Health ServicesBrighter, Stronger Foundation is your family’s partner in adult life planning and service coordination. We are dedicated to providing excellent care and support to your child to help them achieve their goals. Contact us to schedule a visit or to learn more about our community!Tue, 25 Feb 2020 19:57:00 -0700