Keep up with the latest news and updates
October 27, 2015
Recently, a mom was crying to me that her son has autism. I know that “I just got soccer punched in the gut” feeling after the doc says my children are “on the spectrum.” I listened to all her heart’s concerns and comments with the autism diagnosis. When she was finished I said to her,
October 16, 2015
“I can’t wear those jeans!” “No, I won’t eat mashed potatoes!” “Agh, don’t make me touch that!” These statements and tantrums are often how Sensory Processing Disorder shows itself in a child. Sensory processing is the brain’s recognition of receptor (eyes, nose, skin, taste, vestibular, etc.) driven input, and the interpretation, integration, and prioritizing of
October 15, 2015
Like any parent, my initial reaction to the autism diagnosis of my son John left me stunned and, for a moment, confused. It was not my first foray with having a special needs child though, as my eldest has Tourette’s. But all the same, the first blow left me breathless. This was an entirely new
October 10, 2015
Parenting a child on the autism spectrum can be very rewarding, however, it also comes with unique challenges. Some of the unique differences that parenting a child on the spectrum can bring are feelings of isolation due to anti-social behaviors that are often extreme and aggressive; the need for constant routine and daily repetitive tasks;
October 9, 2015
We are always looking for something new and something better. What’s the newest invention? What’s the newest discovery? Where’s the answer that’s going to change my world! It’s that constant and never ending hope that propels our search. The need for 100% is necessary. While we should always have gratitude for the things we have,
October 1, 2015
[caption id=”attachment_4509″ align=”aligncenter” width=”384″] Autism Parenting Magazine Issue 39[/caption] Dear Readers,Communication can be tough. As we all know, many children diagnosed with autism have a more difficult time developing the language skills they need at first. Nonverbal communication, such as eye contact, hand gestures and facial expressions, can especially be a challenge. While many children with
September 23, 2015
Genetic testing is the biggest medical advancement of the early 21st century. Our understanding of how genes play a role in brain function is advancing every year. While many children receive negative genetic tests for Fragile X syndrome, there are thousands upon thousands of genetic tests available. If you think you’ve exhausted genetic testing for
September 22, 2015
The first day of a new school year brings stress and anxiety to everyone; parents’ tearing up about their kid’s first or last school year; teachers frantically searching for all their lesson plans and dreading the possibility of new juvenile delinquents in their classroom, and the kids themselves wondering what new surprises await them this
September 17, 2015
Hi, I am the parent of a 13-year-old boy with Asperger’s syndrome. He was unable to cope with school so he now has a tutor come to the house each day for one hour. He is very withdrawn and this is worse when his tutor comes. How do I get him to engage with the
September 17, 2015
Introduction: The definition of a “vitamin” or “essential mineral” is that the lack of that vitamin or mineral results in disease or even death. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) is the minimum amount required to prevent disease, but may be less than the amount needed for optimal mental and physical health. Most people in the
September 16, 2015
In two short years, Tikko has captured the hearts of thousands of people. What began as my child’s dream to make the world a better place for families living with autism, is now a passion that continues to grow every time Tikko travels. We know all too well the challenges in raising a child on
September 11, 2015
Question: I have a Special Needs Trust for my son; however, I am not funding it at this time. I just have not been able to find the extra money in our budget to fund the special needs trust, especially after we save for our own retirement. What is the best way to fund a
September 10, 2015
My brother, Christos, was diagnosed with autism when he was two. We grew up in Cyprus and our parents were extraordinary and even though no one prepares you for an autism diagnosis, they made it seem effortless. Living with autism is enthralling; so much so that the daily obstacles we encountered became our life. Nothing
September 5, 2015
Industrial Designer Lisa Fraser never imagined she would one day become an award-winning and celebrated entrepreneur. “It was never in my plans – it sort of just happened,” said the 28-year-old from Vancouver. “I wanted to alleviate discomfort and develop a tool that could help children with autism function better in their daily lives. I
September 1, 2015
[caption id=”attachment_4360″ align=”aligncenter” width=”384″] Autism Parenting Magazine Issue 38[/caption]Dear Readers,The journey toward good health — it’s in the news every day. It’s circulated on television, social media, newspapers, magazines…we are inundated by free-flowing advice. It’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed by all the reports, as they often contradict and they aren’t always easy to
August 18, 2015
Fourteen years ago I became a mother to a boy and girl set of twins. Two short years after that my son Jon, began losing language and was soon diagnosed with autism. Maybe some of you can relate to the whirlwind that begins when you hear that your precious and beloved child has an exceptional
August 6, 2015
“Think of it: a disability is usually defined in terms of what is missing.… But autism … is as much about what is abundant as what is missing, an over-expression of the very traits that make our species unique.” – Paul Collins, Not Even Wrong: Adventures in Autism “I myself am opaque, for some reason.
July 29, 2015
[caption id=”attachment_4110″ align=”aligncenter” width=”150″] Autism Parenting Magazine Issue 37[/caption] Dear Readers, Just when we finally settled into a summer routine why does the calendar tell us it’s time to transition once again? For many children, the classic build up to the “first day of school” includes picking out special school clothes and meeting new teachers
July 26, 2015
Question: I have two boys with autism and I find myself struggling with anxiety when it comes time to leave the house with them. I feel scared and short of breath. Plus, when I leave the house by myself, I feel anxious that I’m going to get a call from the kids’ school, my husband,
July 20, 2015
I find the suggestion that there needs to be a cure for autism an absolutely ridiculous notion. Coming as I do from a family where many of our men-folk exhibit spectrum behavior, spending much of their time in the garden shed whittling or inventing, my child fits right in with our collective history of quiet,
July 16, 2015
“Autism is not contagious, but my smile is.” “Autism doesn’t have to define a person. Artists with autism are like anyone else:They define themselves through hard work and individuality.”-Adrienne Bailon, Artist “Autistic today. Genius tomorrow.” “Don’t think that there’s a different, better child ‘hiding’ behind the autism.This is your child. Love the child in front of you. Encourage
July 14, 2015
Through my experience working with children with autism, on numerous occasions, I witnessed how music could enhance their speech, language, and communication skills. Several times I noted that children with very little speech who had been described to me as almost non-verbal could easily recall words from songs. I carried out research for a Ph.D.
July 5, 2015
Amber is a beautiful young girl whose life is in constant turmoil and yet, to the outside world, she maintains a healthy outlook on what she has been given. Even at the age of eight she realizes that she will never have most of the advantages bestowed on other children and this sense of loss
July 1, 2015
[caption id=”attachment_3742″ align=”aligncenter” width=”384″] Autism Parenting Magazine Issue 36[/caption]Dear Readers,Is it really time to count down the final days of summer? Just when we finally got into the swing of the summer holiday how, we ask, can it possibly be time to switch gears again? While it may seem a little early to think about
June 28, 2015
[thrive_leads id=’15497′] More and more we are hearing about essential oils and the benefits of using them. Some time ago, I remember reading a thread in a private autism parents group. The gist was divided; half were for essential oils, half thought it was just another waste of time. Some parents even had the misconception
June 23, 2015
As a parent, one of the hardest things you’ll have to do is watch your child struggle. At the age of five, our son was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. When he turned nine, at an attempt to have a “typical “birthday party, we invited 10 kids to come scuba diving. It was something most kids
June 22, 2015
Phones, television, computers, wires galore. Sound effects, flashing lights. Here they come, hit the floor! Sensory Overload Is The Malady Of Modernity. There is no question that the over-stimulation of our senses is out of control and has become a huge cause of stress and anxiety. Some of us can work around it and others
June 17, 2015
As the identification of autism is on the rise, now 1 in 68 children according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), parents, educators and other professionals continue to be faced with the challenges of supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the home, school and community settings. Common challenges children with ASD face
June 12, 2015
Six-year-old Alexander was diagnosed with moderate autism spectrum disorder (ASD) several years ago. His parents have spent years attempting to potty train him, but he just isn’t completely there yet. In fact, his parents thought several times he was potty trained and then he regressed. Alexander’s parents are frustrated by the added stress of not
June 11, 2015
For many children on the autism spectrum, reading facial expressions is a daily struggle. Is my teacher happy with me or irritated? Is my sister worried or is she sad? Many children with autism can have a difficult time determining what other people are thinking and feeling, and because of this, struggle to partake in
June 10, 2015
Sleep problems are common amongst children. For children with autism, sleep can be even more challenging. Studies show that up to 80% of children with autism have some sort of sleep difficulties. Most often it is due to difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. The goal of this article is to review sleep hygiene and discuss
June 8, 2015
Summer is a time children often look forward to because it means a break from school for a few months. No strict schedules — no classes — no homework. But for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a change in daily routine can actually create new stressors. Children with ASD are often rigid and inflexible
June 5, 2015
Organized recreational programs are a wonderful outlet to help children gain several different skills all while having fun. A child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can gain the kind of skills that are beneficial to his or her everyday life from a specialized program. Since most children with autism attend a variety of therapy sessions,
May 30, 2015
[caption id=”attachment_3627″ align=”aligncenter” width=”384″] Autism Parenting Magazine Issue 35[/caption] Dear Readers, It’s finally summer! A time to relax under the warm sun, catch up on the latest best seller, sleep in late… Wait, who really does that? Summertime with children generally means changes in schedules, disruptions in routines and a surplus of free time. And
May 17, 2015
[caption id=”attachment_3566″ align=”aligncenter” width=”384″] Autism Parenting Magazine Issue 34[/caption] Dear Readers, Welcome to our special edition of Autism Parenting Magazine EXTRA. As you know, we aim to publish the most up-to-date news, research and professional guidance written by noted medical professionals, coaches, occupational therapists, parents and adults on the spectrum on a monthly basis.
May 16, 2015
What is Sensory Processing disorder? Many children with Asperger’s syndrome experience sensory processing difficulties or Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). Sensory processing is the neurological processing and interpretation of sensation within one’s own body and from the environment. In short, it is the brain’s organization and interpretation of the sensory input from everyday use. This is
May 10, 2015
Dear Grandma and Grandpa, I know you think I’m rude sometimes. The last time you tried to take me to the movies I screamed and put my hands over my ears because it was too loud and you got mad at me and said I ruined the movie for my little sister. Afterwards, when I
May 4, 2015
Parents often ask me “Can my child ever learn to live on his own?” The answer for many of these children is YES. The three main things that hold them back are: the limited expectations of those teaching them, the way we go about teaching, and not starting early enough to teach independent living. At
April 30, 2015
[caption id=”attachment_3437″ align=”aligncenter” width=”384″] Autism Parenting Magazine Issue 33[/caption] The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May. — Edwin Way Teale It’s finally Spring — a time when all things seem possible. It’s a time to shed those winter doldrums and refocus energies on finding new ways to improve the
April 9, 2015
Manchester-based lighting company Valuelights, part of the LSE Retail Group founded in 2011, recently ran a competition to raise awareness of how calming sensory lights for autism can have a positive effect on children; helping develop, balance and encourage creativity and well-being within the home. Research between lighting and autism has brought to the public’s
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