Ford Motor Company’s Steps to Prepare Special Needs Kids for Driving with Confidence
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PSN Team 
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In this video, Dr. Niambi Powell, a diversity, equity, and inclusion manager at Ford Motor Company, shares valuable advice for parents of special needs children. Learn how to help your child prepare for driving with confidence. Discover tips to boost their self-belief and set them up for success behind the wheel. Watch now and empower your special needs child for a possible driving future.
Dr. Niambi Powell shares the importance of self-efficacy and confidence.
Driving can be intimidating, especially for special needs children. It’s not just about technical skills; it’s about believing they can do it. Building self-efficacy and confidence through various activities can make a huge difference.
Tips for Building Confidence
1. Encourage Independence: Start with small, manageable tasks to build their confidence.
2. Celebrate Achievements: Recognize and praise their accomplishments to boost self-esteem.
3. Set Realistic Goals: Help them set and achieve small goals, gradually increasing the difficulty.
4. Provide Constructive Feedback: Offer supportive and specific feedback.
5. Model Confidence: Demonstrate confidence in your own abilities as an example.
Steps Towards Driving
- Introduce Driving Concepts Early: Use conversations, videos, and simulations.
- Enroll in Specialized Driver’s Education: Find schools that cater to special needs students.
- Practice in Safe Environments: Start in low-stress areas like empty parking lots.
Focusing on self-efficacy and confidence prepares your child for driving and many other life challenges. With your support, they can achieve great things. Happy driving!
Watch Now
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I hope these tips help. If you have questions or experiences to share, please leave a comment below. Together, we can help our special needs children reach their full potential.
Dr. Niambi Powell
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This post originally appeared on our September/October 2023 Magazine
