To an outsider, a child with autism having a meltdown might appear like a child having a temper tantrum, but the circumstances are often more complex than what meets the eye. Those who have cared for a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will know a meltdown is handled differently and with intimate knowledge of
in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Kim Barloso, AB
Does your child have a difficult time handling disappointment? Do seemingly simple requests turn into tantrums? Sometimes children learn one way to handle situations like this (i.e., meltdown) and have a very difficult time learning a new and better way to respond. It’s likely not enjoyable for you or your child when these situations arise,
in Autism Technology by Melissa M. Root, PhD
Every parent has experienced the embarrassment, frustration, and exhaustion of a child’s temper tantrum. It doesn’t matter what is the diagnosis or developmental stage—and it happens to both the novice and most experienced parents. Inevitably, if you have a child, you will find yourself trying to manage behavioral outbursts. If you’re a parent of a
in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Alescia Ford-Lanza, MS, OTR/L, ATP
I have a 20-year-old son with Asperger’s syndrome. He has just started the workforce and tried college but failed all of his classes. He was recently laid off from his employment and is now on unemployment. He lives in his own apartment and pays his own bills. The problem I’m having is he has meltdowns almost
in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Angelina M., MS, BCBA, LMFT
Parents of autistic children may have thought to themselves, “What are some autism coping skills and strategies I could use with my child?” Understanding when their children have meltdowns or become triggered by some outside factor is a good starting point. Knowing about coping strategies and teaching them can help support autistic children in difficult
in Autism Parenting Advice by Donnesa McPherson, AAS
The third Autism Parenting Summit, hosted by Autism Parenting Magazine, took place earlier this month (April 2022) and was a great success. The virtual Autism Parenting Summit was hosted during Autism Acceptance Month and featured a diverse array of speakers—from autism experts, therapists, doctors, and educators, to neurodivergent advocates and parents. Over the course of
in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip
Autism Parenting Magazine provides information on a number of subjects to help parents and educators. You can see a list of our subject categories below Autism Activities for Kids Therapeutic activities, playground, travel, summer camps, art projects, puzzles, board games, indoor/outdoor games Applied Behavior Analysis(ABA) Changing behavior using positive reinforcement; applied behavior analysis (ABA) is
in by David
After two highly successful previous events, the virtual Autism Parenting Summit is returning this April in celebration of Autism Acceptance Month. Organizers at Autism Parenting Magazine have announced that the Autism Parenting Summit virtual conference will return for four full days from April 1st – 4th 2022. Doctors, therapists, educators, advocates, and people on the
in Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip
For any parents who have had people ask them “are autistic children violent?”, this article offers a mom and life coach’s perspective on what so-called violence truly is and how to manage it in the context of autism. I knew this day was going to be rough, but nothing could have prepared me for what
in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Rachel Andersen
JC Ellinger speaks with an autism mom and a behavior therapy provider to offer readers an inside perspective into ABA therapy. “At three and a half my son was barely talking. His speech and social-emotional delays qualified him for developmental preschool with our local school district. E was hypersensitive to noises. He stimmed a lot
in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by JC Ellinger, MBA
Autism Parenting Magazine has revealed more than a third of autism caregivers use an ABA therapy provider to support a child on the spectrum. In a survey sent out by Autism Parenting Magazine (APM) to more than 160,000 email subscribers, over a third of responders confirmed they are using an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy
in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Autism News by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA Hons, Dip
It was March 2020 and the world had just shut down. My five-year-old had just been admitted into the gifted program at school but had not started in his new classes yet. Suddenly, I was supposed to homeschool a not-yet-diagnosed child on the autism spectrum who was smarter than me already. My ever-moving, always talking,
in Sensory Solutions by Rachel Andersen
As a parent, it is important to make connections with other parents who relate to your stage of life. Realizing someone else truly understands your child’s hardships and triumphs can bring so much encouragement. For many parents of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), these connections are often few and far between. Sharing your child’s
in Potty Training by Rachel Andersen
Parents of autistic children, from my personal experience, are some of the most adventurous and creative people in the world. One reason for that is they parent some of the most gifted and unpredictable people in the world. Between the exploration of their children’s special interests, braving new professionals in their life, alternative therapies, and
in Visual Supports by Rachel Andersen
Delayed first words and speech irregularities are some of the most common symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). If your child only talks with close family members and friends but shuts down at school or with extended family, you might suspect that autism is the reason. When a child finds themself unable to speak to
in Communication Skills by Claire Delano, BA
Seven party planning ideas to prepare your little one with autism or sensory needs for social events. If you’re planning a party for a child with autism or sensory processing challenges, it helps to be sensitive to his/her unique needs. Here is a list of ideas to help increase enjoyment and prevent meltdowns, tantrums, or
in Autism Parenting Advice by Nanaz Khosrowshahi
The complicated and controversial history linking autism and schizophrenia does little to answer parents’ concerns about the co-occurrence of these two conditions in their children. Dr. Eugene Bleuler first used the word “autism” in the early twentieth century to describe symptoms related to schizophrenia. More specifically, symptoms of withdrawal into an inner world—which he had
in Autism Health and Medical Info by Yolande Loftus, BA, LLB
Aggression is a common issue for both children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It may be verbal (shouting, screaming, cursing) and/or physical (hitting, kicking, biting, destroying property, self-injury). Some research suggests that children with autism are more likely to show aggressive behaviors than typically developing children and children with other developmental disabilities. People
in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Claire Delano, BA
Here are some ideas to help your autistic child become more flexible in tough situations. When our kids are in their comfort zone, things are humming along. There are no meltdowns, they are happy, everyone around them tends to be happy. Being in the comfort zone allows our kids to anticipate what is coming, have
in Autism Parenting Advice by Sara Colorosa, PhD
Autism Parenting MagazineFor you and your childAre you looking for the most up-to-date news and professional guidance for you and your child on the subject of autism? GET A FREE ISSUE Autism Parenting MagazineFor you and your childAre you looking for the most up-to-date news and professional guidance for you and your child on the
in by Mark blakey
When I think of the word “masking”, I immediately remember the 1994 film The Mask starring the one and only Jim Carrey. While the movie promises a good time and pure comedy, its synopsis actually has some parallels with the act of autism masking among people on the spectrum. The character behind The Mask is
in Autism Health and Medical Info by Andréas RB Deolinda, BA, BSc
An autism mom shares advice for raising a daughter on the spectrum, told from her own family’s perspective. It’s been four years since my daughter Chloe was diagnosed with autism. It was a dreary March day and I remember it like it was yesterday. We lived on an Air Force base in rural California and
in Autism Parenting Advice by Caitlyn Viviano-Knoll, MEd
Elon Musk has asperger’s, he revealed this during a Saturday Night Live gig. Apparently speculation about the billionaire being on the spectrum was pretty common online. Having previously spoken about “solving” autism, his asperger’s revelation was not applauded by all—but it did encourage more open conversations about autism. Unfortunately some of these conversations are based
in Autism Parenting Advice by Yolande Loftus, BA, LLB
All parents dread the day they have to explain death to their kids. Grief and loss are difficult for anyone to experience, much less young children. Parents of kids with autism may be even more worried about how to help them cope. Although this conversation will never be easy, there are things you can do
in Autism Parenting Advice by Claire Delano, BA
Have you ever felt so exhausted you wished you could just reboot like a computer? We all get tired, but we can usually wait for a free moment to recharge. Sometimes, though, an overheated computer will turn off without warning. This is similar to what some people with autism experience when they get overwhelmed—a shutdown.
in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Claire Delano, BA
We don’t have to look very far to find research giving us rather disheartening statistics about the poor emotional health of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Up to 70 percent of children with ASD develop mental health difficulties, as opposed to 10 percent of the typical population. Of course, as practitioners and parents of
in Education and Classroom by Sandy Turner, BEd (Hons) NPQH and Judy Turner, BEd (Hons)
Should you get a pet when you have a special needs child? When making this decision, concentrate on getting the right match for your family and your child. Choosing a compatible pet can be a difficult task. Doing a little research is key to picking the perfect pet for your family. When you start looking,
in Autism Parenting Advice by Johnathan David
Difficulties with speech are not uncommon for children with autism. They may experience speech delays, childhood apraxia of speech, idiosyncratic speech, or be nonverbal into adulthood. Another speech phenomenon sometimes found in people with autism is pressured speech. What causes this type of speaking, and what kind of treatment is available? Let’s take a look.
in Communication Skills by Claire Delano, BA
Special needs adoption is needed, but the need to discuss it openly and honestly may be even more important. In fact some special needs adoptees (on international adoption forums) implore the public to look at this topic without white savior colored glasses… Special attention The Stauffers, an American family seemingly made for YouTube fame, became
in Autism Advocacy by Yolande Loftus, BA, LLB
Impaired somatosensory processing is often found in neurodevelopmental conditions. Researchers are paying closer attention to the meaning of deficits in this sensory system and its possible impact on autistic individuals. We’re all a little touchy about, well, touch at the moment. The pandemic’s social distancing made human touch a rare commodity. It left many craving
in Sensory Solutions by Yolande Loftus, BA, LLB
Is the world too bright, too loud, too smelly…too everything for a brain in overdrive? Most parents have witnessed a tantrum or two. A meltdown, or an autistic brain trying to control sensory overload with a challenged filtering system, cannot be equated to a tantrum. A tantrum is usually about getting something: attention, candy or
in Sensory Solutions by Yolande Loftus, BA, LLB
When searching for information about your autistic child’s sensory challenges you may find many articles about hypersensitivity. But what about hyposensitivity, and the accompanying sensory seeking behavior of a child who finds the world an underwhelming place? As research discovers more about the autistic brain, we can’t help but marvel at some of the skills
in Sensory Solutions by Yolande Loftus, BA, LLB
Reading through online autism forums will erase any doubt about stigmatization of those on the spectrum. Some autistic individuals say you just need to look at vaccination debates to get an idea of how many neurotypical people feel about autism. The fact that some people are more willing to risk the chance of their child
in Autism Advocacy by Yolande Loftus, BA, LLB
If your child is diagnosed with autism and has language processing difficulties, these may be one of the first symptoms you want to address with treatment or interventions. You quickly realize just how frustrated your child is, with meltdowns as a testament to unexpressed emotions. We can only try to understand how frustrating it must
in Communication Skills by Yolande Loftus, BA, LLB
HOME BACK ISSUES FREE ISSUE ABOUT CONTACT LOGIN subscribe Home Back issues Free Issue About Contact Login Subscribe Autism Parenting Magazine – Issue 120 BUY SINGLE ISSUE FOR $5.99 Buy Single Issue SAVE 50% BY SUBSCRIBING Subscribe today and save 50%Features:Are Autistic Children at Higher Risk of Seizures?An evidence-based
in by Joseph
Being a parent to a child with autism can be challenging in many ways. Not only can autism lead to delays and problems with communication and social interaction, but it can also cause many behavioral challenges. Many children with autism can exhibit aggression. This aggression often manifests as unexpected outbursts of biting, scratching, kicking, hitting,
in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Emily Ransom, MSE
For most parents, virtual learning has been one of the biggest challenges this past year. I was constantly bombarded with photos of beautiful, magazine-worthy workspaces, yet all I wanted was for my child with autism to actually enjoy virtual learning. I wanted her to get excited about school like she was when she could attend
in Education and Classroom by Caitlyn Viviano-Knoll, MEd
I casually sip my tea while lying on the couch in this great new wrap my mom got me for Christmas. I’m reading a book I love and contentedly snacking on leftover holiday cookies in my quiet house. Justin, my 16-year-old with severe autism, is upstairs on the computer driving around Monmouth County on the
in Personal Narrative by Kimberlee Rutan McCafferty
As a parent of a child with autism, you are likely to have heard the term Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy. You are also likely to be aware that there are many controversies surrounding ABA therapy – and these are well worth exploring. The aim of this article is to provide parents with the latest
in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) by Karla Pretorius, M. Psych and Nanette Botha, BEd
Does the idea of holiday travel as an autism parent fill you with dread? Check out these top tips tried and tested by a busy mom. In the autism world of parenting, the worries that accompany holiday travel can be overwhelming; I mean, just traveling in general is stressful, but when you tackle on the holidays,
in Autism Parenting Advice by JC Ellinger, MBA
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