Available research and parental reports suggest there are a number of reasons to suspect that people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may have difficulty judging the passage of time and recalling the order of events. While there is limited research on the topic at this time, a small study found that individuals with autism demonstrated […]
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With autism, the number of challenges to overcome can be overwhelming. I know this first hand. Over and over again, I faced so many deficits in my development that succeeding at anything seemed hopeless. Experts believed I was not capable of attending school and would need to be in a group home as an adult. […]
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Learning that your child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be very difficult for family members. One of the most important things to remember is that your child is still the same child that he/she was prior to the diagnosis. As you learn about ASD and begin to use resources and find […]
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There is an endless array of articles, advice and information on the internet about autism and its impact on families. Much of the available information includes costs of raising a child with autism. Many articles are geared towards parent experiences with applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, speech, and occupational therapy (OT), while other online information […]
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Bullying is an issue for all adolescents and teens, but none more so than those on the autism spectrum who often experience abusive and antagonistic behavior from peers nearly half of the time. That’s about twice as often as bullying experienced by average adolescents, according to the National Bullying Prevention Center. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) […]
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We all want to understand why our children behave the way they do. Sometimes we wish to encourage alternative behavior—other times we hope to encourage more of the same behavior. For example, a mother may wish for her child to desist from throwing tantrums in public places. Another mother may be so delighted to hear […]
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On the pathway to adopting a healthy lifestyle, the exercise experience contains valuable opportunities for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to practice adaptive communication and socialization skills. To ensure a safe, enjoyable fitness experience, parents and caregivers may consider accessing the services of a certified personal trainer (CPT). Depending upon the individual’s level of […]
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I heard Mom’s voice, “We’re here, Peter! Time for gymnastics!” I told my body to move. “Hands unbuckle, then feet move!” But nothing happened. I tried a second, then a third time, But nothing happened. Mom pulled out her timer. “Five minutes. You can spend it here or in the air con.” I asked myself, […]
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The world is constantly evolving. Technology and medicine are becoming ever more advanced, while society is constantly striving to become more understanding, compassionate, and accepting towards our fellow people. Historically speaking, this understanding and compassion have been less than giving towards those with special educational needs (SEN) requirements, fortunately as we as a population learn […]
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What are visual supports? Visual supports are non-verbal ways for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to communicate their needs and make sense of the world around them. Children with autism benefit from using visual supports for a variety of reasons. A nonverbal child can use a Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) to communicate his/her […]
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