New Year, New Goals: Your Family’s Map to a Hopeful 2026

That new year feeling is here again. You know the one, full of fresh calendars, hopeful resolutions… and maybe just a little bit of pressure. If you’re a parent of a child with autism, ADHD, or other developmental delays, that pressure can feel extra heavy. You’re carrying so much hope for your child’s progress, but figuring out how to make it happen can be downright overwhelming.

Take a deep breath. We get it.

At Reach, we talk to parents like you every single day. And we want you to know this: setting goals shouldn’t feel like adding another item to your endless to-do list. It’s not about pressure. It’s about drawing a map, a kind, personal map that leads your family toward more joyful, connected, and peaceful days.

Think of it as setting gentle, positive guideposts based on your child’s amazing strengths. Let’s walk through this together, step by simple step.

Step 1: Look Back with a Heart Full of Pride (Yes, Really!)
Before you think about tomorrow, let’s take a warm, gentle look at yesterday. Grab a cup of coffee, and instead of thinking about the struggles, make a tiny list of your child’s wins from last year. I’m not talking about huge, life-altering milestones (though those are great!). I mean the real stuff. Did they finally try a new food? Give you a genuine hug? Use a word to ask for something? Sit through a haircut without tears?

Write those down. These aren’t small things. They are everything. They’re the proof of what your child can do, and they are the strongest foundation for the year ahead.

Step 2: Dream Up Your Family’s “North Star”
Now, let’s think big-picture about your hopes for this year. Don’t get caught up in specific skills yet. Think about the feeling you want more of in your home. This is your “North Star.”

• Is it “I just want our mornings to be less of a battle?”
• Or “I wish my kids could play together without so much frustration?”
• Maybe it’s “I want to understand what my child needs without the guessing game.”

Your North Star isn’t a behavior; it’s a wish for better days. It lights the way for everything else.

Step 3: Chop That Star Down to Earth-Sized Steps
Here’s the secret to not feeling overwhelmed: make the step so small it’s almost impossible not to celebrate.

Let’s take “less stressful mornings.” That’s a great North Star! Now, what’s one tiny, positive step toward it? It could be: “My child will put on their own socks when I lay them out.” Or “We will get out the door with only two reminders instead of ten.”

See the difference? It’s specific (“socks”), observable (you can see it happen), and positive (focuses on what you want TO do). These tiny steps are how you climb a mountain.

Step 4: Track the Glimmers (Stickers Beat Stress!)
“Data” sounds so clinical. Let’s call it “celebrating the glimmers.” Get a simple calendar for the fridge. Every day your child puts on those socks? Put a shiny sticker on the date. Every day you get out the door with less yelling? That’s a sticker for YOU.

This isn’t a report card. It’s a visual story of your good days. You’ll start to see patterns, maybe Mondays are harder, but Fridays are great! This isn’t failure; it’s fascinating information that helps you and your therapy team understand your child’s world.

Step 5: Rally Your Village (We’re Here for This!)
You are not supposed to figure this all out alone. This is where your team comes in. Share your “North Star” and your tiny steps with your amazing Reach BCBA and therapists.

Our whole “data-driven” approach is really just a fancy term for “let’s take what matters most to your family and build a plan that actually works.” We live for this stuff! We can help tweak your steps, share strategies that fit into your real life, and cheer alongside you. When home and therapy work together, that’s when the magic happens.

Step 6: Give Yourself and Your Child a Heaping Dose of Grace
Some weeks, your child will amaze you. Other weeks, it will feel like you’ve gone backwards. This is normal. This is the journey. Be ready to adjust. If putting on socks is too hard, maybe the goal is just touching the socks. That’s still a win.

And please, be as kind to yourself as you are to your child. You are showing up. You are loving them. You are reading articles like this to be a better supporter. That love is the most powerful therapy there is.

At Reach, we are truly walking this path with you. We’re in your corner, ready to help you turn that hopeful feeling into a year of tangible, peaceful progress. Let’s make 2026 about celebrating the steps, not just the finish line.

Feeling inspired? Let’s chat about your family’s North Star. Our team is ready to listen and help you build a personalized plan full of hope and practical steps. Contact us to start.