Coaching for Parents of a Child/Adult with Special Needs

“What’s next for my child?”

Are you trying to navigate the disability system or wondering what’s next for your child? “He just graduated high school? Now what?”  People with disabilities have life transitions just like everyone else.  As infants, they are in the care of their parents; as school-age children, they are in the care of the school; and when they graduate, they are in the care of the state’s system of care for adults with IDD.  As they transition into each life cycle stage, strategies that worked when they were younger no longer apply.  The challenge is to identify community resources and match them with your child’s strengths and your family’s resources to further enhance your child’s development through their adult years.  Your child faces additional challenges that a typically-developing child does not.  Having a coach helping you navigate your child/family’s particular needs is most beneficial to all involved.  

What about you?  

As a parent of an adult with disabilities, you may have spent the last two or three decades worrying, researching and wrapping your life around your child’s needs.  And, you wouldn’t change that for the world!  But perhaps your health has suffered and/or your dreams have been put on hold.  Maybe you want to get healthier or pursue a long-forgotten interest, identify a new career path or make changes in your family/work environment.  You know what you need to do, but just can’t find the motivation to do it.  You’re feeling stuck.

Coaching may be the answer. Whatever your goal is, coaching will help you reconnect with your heart’s desires and vitality, and achieve goals you may have given up on. I use a technique called motivational interviewing to help get you unstuck and get motivated!  Coaching takes stock of where you are now and where you want to be.  Together we figure out the next step for your special needs child, or the next step for you.  Let the smoke clear and envision a clearer plan for the future.

 

Our son has benefited from the sage advice of Kathy Honeyman over nearly ten years. She has helped him break down problems into smaller parts that are understandable, and develop strategies to help him change behaviors. Kathy has always engaged with him respectfully to help him set goals for himself that have evolved as he has matured into adulthood. We all appreciate her role in his life. Our son knows when he is “stuck”, it’s time to meet with Kathy!

-Parent of adult client

I am so grateful that Kathy moved to North Carolina and provide exceptional services for our families. Kathy is very knowledgeable and she understand the issues we face. Kathy will also provide great options and solutions because....Kathy truly cares for our families. Life would not be the same without you Kathy. Thank you for who you are and all you do!

-Parent of adult client

My 23-year-old daughter has participated in multiple small group sessions with Kathy Honeyman. When the most recent session was over, she told me there is another session beginning in the fall and she wanted to attend.  When I asked why she said, "I like going to see Mrs. Honeyman and my friends." Meeting with a group of peers has helped my daughter to understand that others have some of the same struggles she has.

-Group Participant mother

Our son has worked with Kathy on both an individual and group setting. Because of her work with him, we have seen a great improvement in both his coping and social skills.

-Bryan S.

My meetings with Kathy Honeyman and the group of other participants over the past year have helped me learn how to make and keep friends, socialize with my coworkers, and understand more about personal relationships.

-Ryan A, Raleigh.

Several of the individuals I support have attended counseling sessions with Kathy Honeyman. She is incredibly person centered and works with each individual to address their specific need. I have recommended and will continue to recommend Kathy to individuals, parents and other service providers.

-Ann Chludzinski, QP, Residential Support Services

With over 40 years of experience as a professional in the IDD field, I have not associated with anyone who is more dedicated to the assurance of human rights and dignity than Kathy Honeyman. Because of this she is able to connect to the people she counsels in a very practical and effective way that makes them feel safe and promotes self worth

-Rick Chappell, Executive Director, Residential Support Services of Wake County, Inc.

Kathy Honeyman is an integral part of the ID world.She has many years of experience with working with this population, and this reflects in the services she provides. She has a true understanding of the issues this population faces.She upholds high morals and ethics and truly sees her clients as they are.She empowers individuals, helping to improve their lives and also helps them understand abstract concepts like accountability which helps foster motivation for healthy changes. She uses a whole systems approach and is strength-based in her practice.She also facilitates appropriate social groups on topics important to this population which further elicits motivation for change through peer support and professional guidance.I only wish we had more Kathys in the world!

-Denise Monkovich, QP

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