Transitioning from any break back to school can be difficult for children with autism and their families. However, transitioning to middle or high school can be extremely challenging. Your child is not only transitioning to a new environment, but they are working with new teachers, a new team of specialists, and having to adjust to
in Education and Classroom by Annette Nuñez, PhD
Play is very complex, especially when teaching children with autism, but it is essential to social skills development. Children naturally engage in play on the playground at recess; however, for children with autism, play does not come as easily. The playground is unpredictable, loud, chaotic, and can be an extremely overwhelming place for a child
in Social Skills by Annette Nuñez, PhD
Recess is often thought of as a break for both teachers and children. It is a time for teachers to take a breather, eat a snack, go to the bathroom, check emails, etc. As for children, recess is seen as a time for them to “let some energy out.” However, after spending ten years observing
in Social Skills by Annette Nuñez, PhD
Parenting is the world’s hardest job! It comes with immense responsibility in which you are on call 24/7, incessantly worrying, and using all your time and energy working at a “real job” without getting a real paycheck. Parenting a child with autism is 100 times more stressful and exhausting because you are not only dealing
in Autism Parenting Advice by Annette Nuñez, PhD
The beautiful thing about autism is that oftentimes children and adults become hyper focused on one subject. Their interests can range from reciting lines from movies, to remembering stats of sports teams, to playing video games, to being gifted in art, to playing an instrument. The list of interests goes on and on. The number
in Autism Solutions by Annette Nuñez, PhD
What is a sensory system? Many people think the sensory system is made up of five senses; however, the sensory system is comprised of eight senses. Below is a list of the eight senses that contribute to SPD: 1. Visual (sight) is a child’s ability to see things such as colors, shapes, depth, lighting, and
in Sensory Solutions by Annette Nuñez, PhD
Words are powerful! Words affect every aspect of your body from the way you think, to the way you feel, to your actions. From the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep your inner dialogue is on autopilot and you are continuously talking to yourself. The majority of the time we
in Autism Parenting Advice by Annette Nuñez, PhD
The playground represents a time for having fun where children laugh, play, run around, and form friendships. However, for a child with autism the playground is like being lost in a foreign country without knowing the language. The playground is chaotic, unpredictable, loud, and over-stimulating. We often see children with autism walking the perimeter of
in Social Skills by Annette Nuñez, PhD
The word “playdate” is a dreaded word for many autism families. I know numerous families that will avoid playdates for several reasons. Many parents think their child cannot participate in them because they lack the play, social, and verbal skills to be successful. Some parents will not schedule playdates because they are not themselves social.
in Social Skills by Annette Nuñez, PhD
Training a child to use the potty can be hard—and teaching a child with autism to use the potty can be even harder. As we all know, it can take a little longer for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to master many everyday skills. As a result, potty training with autism can take
in Potty Training by Annette Nuñez, PhD
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