by Lori Ciccarelli-Stotko, MPS

Experts in the field of leadership believe that truly effective leaders possess a high level of emotional intelligence or emotional quotient (EQ) focusing on self and relationship management. It’s about social competence. Raising a child with autism has assisted with elevating my own emotional intelligence.

The 5 Components of  EQ
Dr. Daniel Goleman, psychologist, brought EQ to the mainstream public in 1995. His research concluded that EQ is made up of five components:

1. self-awareness,
2. self-regulation,
3. motivation,
4. empathy and
5. social skills.

Those with a high sense of self-awareness understand how their emotions impact others and their job performance; they can regulate their feelings successfully. How we manage our emotions or regulate them makes the difference for leadership success. Goleman states that without EQ, a person can have the best training, analytical mind and be good technically, but won’t make a great leader. Some leaders possess these traits naturally; however, can EQ be learned?

How to Teach EQ
As I started training leaders in the corporate setting with regard to EQ, I realized that there was not much offered on “how” to raise EQ. There are countless articles and books that address “what” it is but no real tools offered to improve EQ. I started thinking about tools used with Social Cognitive Deficit Disorders (SCDD) since it is about social competence. Over the decades these tools became ingrained in me as I taught my son, which in turn assisted to raised my own EQ. The best way to learn is to teach. Since the components that support EQ equate to social competence, then why couldn’t these tools used for SCDD work to raise EQ? I started bringing forward these techniques in my leadership and customer service development trainings which have proven to be very successful. Those who attend my classes are excited to head back to their jobs with tools for success.

• Empathy: Tools that have shown success include Michelle Garcia Winners’ perspective-taking behavioral map to enhance empathy. This tool helps one visually and concretely map out behaviors by showing “how” it can make others feel and the consequences or outcomes associated with them. Taking it a step further with my audiences, I ask them to develop a plan in which to display empathy better the next time.

• Social Skills: Another effective strategy to help develop appropriate social skills was created by Winners; imaginary “friend files” in the brain. This technique helps store information about others to help initiate conversations. This interactive exercise of getting to know someone by interviewing them, writing down three items about that person, and then storing the information in an imaginary file in the brain help to initiate future conversations. Also, one can keep a journal or card index file to help organize “friend” information.

• Self Regulation: The Incredible 5-point Scale developed by Kari Dunn Buron and Mitzi Curtis can help regulate moods recognizing and managing emotional responses. This tool focuses on the “how” by rating the mood on a scale according to intensity and matching it to solutions. According to the authors, how we act, react, and interact in difficult situations depends on our ability to quickly and efficiently assess what is happening and consider the consequences of our actions. I have found this tool to be extremely effective.

As we focus on social competence for our kids with Social Cognitive Deficit Disorders, we can also benefit by raising our own emotional intelligence. A key to effective leadership.

by Lori Ciccarelli-Stotko, MPS

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandi

Too often we are quick to point the finger blaming others. “Why can’t those people understand my situation? Can’t they try walking in my shoes?”

We as parents of special needs children tend to be less tolerant of our church families and school professionals when they don’t know how to deal with our kids. Sometimes it comes down to the fact that others are just not equipped. If we have the knowledge, experience and tools, it is our responsibility to raise awareness, to train, to help equip others. When my son entered high school, the special eduation team and professionals admitted, “Lori, we don’t know what to do with autism.” Time to equip; time to “be the change!!”

Become a Resource
According to Karen Siff Exkorn, author of the Autism Sourcebook: Everything You need to Know about Diagnosis, Treatment, Coping and Healing “Always remember that you know your child better than anyone else…getting our child the help that he or she needs is a collaborative process.”

Two decades ago, most of my community didn’t know what to do with autism; myself included. This created an amazing opportunity to develop a support system and inspire others. Why not include others on my journey? My son may be one of the first with autism to live here; however, he wasn’t going to be the last. My philosophy is not to blame but to come up with solutions. Why not be instrumental with creating a caring community for the special needs populations? Be the change!

It didn’t happen over night. I was in denial for many years trying to digest my situation. As mentioned in previous blogs, it was when I finally accepted my son’s diagnosis that doors started to open because I opened those doors. Why not include others through that doorway?

It Takes a Village
Many years ago, I started a “Parents of Autism” support group inviting professionals to share with us their expertise. The support group also provided a platform for parents to not go it alone. We cried together, we exchanged ideas and resources, and we accompanied each other at IEP meetings. The support was extremely helpful and was part of the healing process. Parents came together in support of each other.

Uncertainty of the future is scary; we don’t need to go on this journey alone. Let’s advocate together for the future of our special kids! One tip I stress the most, remember to stay focused on the mission (the special needs child) and don’t let personal agendas get in the way. We need to work together in unity in support of our children.

A Few Supportive Ideas:

1. Host a community meeting with local clergy to discuss how the local churches can provide support or a special needs ministry. Respite care to the special needs families can be a huge help.
2. Team-up, buddy-up with new parents of special needs children. Remember what it was like getting the news for the first time? Be a mentor creating a support system.
3. Order “The first 100 day survival tool kit” from Autism Speaks to give to new parents.
4. Develop your own community resource guide to support special needs.
5. Start a chapter of the Autism Society of America (call 1-800-3-autism or visit www.autism-society.org). There are resources available that include bylaws, newsletters, education plans for schools, social events and conferences.

Highly Effective People
World renowned author Stephen R. Covey of the #1 national bestseller book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People encourages habit #5 “to seek first to understand then to be understood. This involves a very deep shift in paradigm. We typically seek first to be understood.” We need to understand first that not all professionals, special education teams, friends, community and family are equipped to meet the special needs of our children. We need to raise awareness, help train, and equip. Be the change!!

Be the Change at a Higher Level
Even at the State level, you can “be the change.” By becoming a resource to parents and professionals over the years, I learned I had a voice to bring local issues to the State level and so can you. I applied for a seat on the Board of Directors for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities representing my county and I was appointed by the Board of Supervisors. YOU CAN,TOO.  Apply to represent your community for your Area Board or for a Governor’s seat appointment. You can make a difference in the lives of our special needs’ populations.

Let’s join hands and use our experiences for the common good. Let’s have the courage to “Be the change that you wish to see in the world!”

“Be the Change” article originally published at Special-ism.com

 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

While I was attending a memorial service for a community member, a local minister made his way over to me. He shared that he believed I had a gift for healing; a healing of the heart because of my compassion he often witnessed.

A gift for healing; a healing of the heart. What could this mean? Over time, I prayed fervently asking the Lord to reveal His plan providing insight into His purpose. Over time, His plan unfolded with clarity during times of my own healing.

Spiritual Care – Spiritual Advocacy

A very close friend and coworker suddenly became ill. She was fighting for her life. She called and asked if I would pray with her in her hospital room before being airlifted to a larger medical facility.  We laid her burdens before the Lord. After she was transported, I felt compelled to continue praying over her so I traveled 150 miles to be with her. However; by the time I got to the hospital, she lay in a coma. I held her hand, but there was no response. As I read scripture and prayed over her, she began to breathe heavily making a funny noise as if trying to communicate; I felt a deep soul connection like  never before.

It was at that time I realized my ministry – my calling; spiritual advocacy, spiritual care. Supporting others spiritually. I was happy to be with her experiencing a peace and calmness wrapped around the two of us. As my visit concluded, I told her husband I would return the following week to continue praying over her as I felt compelled to be with her again, to care for her spiritually, to hold her heart.

The following week I continued to pray. My faith was unwavering. I was getting excited just to be with her again; to provide spiritual care. As I prepared for my trip, I received a call from her family that the doctors did not expect her to make it through that day. And sure enough, within a few hours she passed away. My “soul” friend got sick and was gone within three weeks.

As the sadness sunk in, the Lord reminded me that this was my calling, spiritual care. However, I questioned my faith. Why wasn’t she healed? God spoke loud and clear to my heart, that my job was to provide spiritual care & support, not to fix her as that was His job.  My friend could have suffered for days, weeks, months. I did not know all the information under my little scope of insight. God’s understanding is comprehensive and I needed to trust Him completely.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts,” Isaiah 55:9.

God reminded me, we live in a fallen world, bad things happen; it’s a global issue. But Christ overcame the world and through Him there is hope. God can bring good out of bad; His redemptive love. 

“…in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

After a couple of weeks of my friend’s passing, her husband dropped in for a visit bringing gifts; books from her library he thought I would enjoy. Her books spoke to me confirming my call. Pastoral Care. Hospital Chaplaincy. A Healing Presence. Through trials and difficult circumstances, God provides opportunities for us to grow, to serve and honor Him.

Before my friend became ill, we both were enrolled in a certification course on spiritual direction, formation and leadership. She was adamant about introducing spiritual care to whole body healing at the hospital where we worked together. However; I was afraid now to bring this program forward alone in a public entity as we were forbidden to even talk about God. I prayed over the next several months; never in the 14 years of employment as a Director in Administration had I prayed asking the Lord to show me how to serve Him at work until now. The Lord impressed upon my heart that He had been preparing me, equipping me and strategically placing me for such a time as this. I decided to finish the two-year certification program and rally to bring spiritual care to the hospital while He opened doors and softened many hearts.

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,”

Deuteronomy 31:8.

 

Spiritual Care – Caring for people’s hearts

During the first year of the hospital Spiritual Care program, there were 900 spiritual care encounters which not only included care for our patients, but for the staff and physicians as they all were reaching out for spiritual support. Within the very first month,  there were 65 patient visits with the largest month hosting 135 spiritual care encounters. I had to start training volunteers to help me. Then the program expanded to include partnering with local churches and community service clubs to assist patients after discharged providing meals, running errands, and continued support through prayer. (By the time I retired 7 years later, the program grew so large that I became the manager of spiritual care and Spiritual Care Chaplain full time with an average hosting 1,400 spiritual care encounters annually. During that time I continued my education in grief recovery and crisis intervention developing an End-of-Life program and facilitating bi-monthly Grief Support and Cancer support Groups.)

As I reflect back, the spiritual care program has been extremely effective; however, I had no idea the effect it would have on me. I am not the same person. My life has changed dramatically; my heart has transformed. I am providing spiritual care to community members I thought had wronged me, those I thought would be obstacles for this program; those I feared.  But God had a much bigger plan.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future,” Jeremiah 29:11.

Now these people are my patients. I am kneeling next to them, holding their hands, praying with them, and talking with some about salvation. Our hearts have aligned through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

This program has changed my life through a cleansing of my heart. It has provided a gift to me, my ministry – a healing of  the heart …

a healing of my own heart… Spiritual Care.