Sharona Sommer, CPC

Sharona Sommer, CPC is the Director of Family Services for CIP, a national transition program for teens and young adults with autism, ADHD and other learning differences. For more information about CIP, visit cipworldwide.org.

Articles by Sharona Sommer, CPC

• Supporting vs. enabling your student

  Monday, January 14, 2019

  What does it really mean to enable versus support your student? Generally speaking, enabling refers to the practice of over-helping, as in rescuing your student from uncomfortable or challenging situations without considering if they are able to handle it themselves. When you support your student, you provide space for them to learn from their mistakes and build the necessary coping skills to handle life’s twists and turns. It is your job as parents and caregivers to provide positive encouragement along the path to independence but not to pave the road for them before they get there.