Q: I have a nine-year-old girl who is not able to speak fully. She can spell some words when we teach her, but I want her to get better in her speech. Any suggestions, please? A: Hi Kavitha, Firstly, saying a letter in isolation can often be easier than saying a whole word with multi-syllables

in Autism Parenting Advice by Karen Kaplan, MS

A comprehensive guide for creating dialogue about relationships, sexual maturity, and consent with your autistic child. Relationships are tricky for everyone, especially those with autism. There are many questions such as: How does love feel? How does a real friend act? How does a lover act? How do relationships really look? Was I flirting? Was

in Autism Health and Medical Info by Karen Kaplan, MS

A look at how you, as a parent, can identify your child’s red flags and develop coping strategies. I am sure we have all been a bit dramatic in our lives about something. A scratch on a new car. A rip in our favorite pair of pants. The dog once again tracked mud onto the

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Karen Kaplan, MS

How to help children become aware of social cues that could be beneficial when faced with challenging situations. Suppose an individual with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is aware of what he/she wants and is outspoken—how can we help him/her adjust (or use a softened approach for) how he/she voices views and opinions? If we focus

in Social Skills by Karen Kaplan, MS

To create a safe space for all, it’s important to reframe how we define people as either hyperactive or energetic.  The term hyperactive has a negative connotation. In some cases, our education system has associated being “overly active”  with a lack of focus and impulsivity, deeming it something that needs to be addressed by a

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Karen Kaplan, MS

How to support children on the spectrum who may have difficulty understanding why others do not share the same opinions and beliefs. How wonderful it is for a child, teen, or adult to have strong opinions and not be afraid to express them. A commitment to accomplishing something can be admirable, but how do we

in Autism Behavioral Solutions by Karen Kaplan, MS

While parents in general might spend time worrying about what their child’s college major will be, parents of children with autism and other differences are focused on where and how their children are going to live. Today, there are a greater number of students living with significant disabilities and residing at home with their families

in Transitioning to Adulthood by Karen Kaplan, MS

When firefighters are called, the situation is usually very dangerous. They have to move fast to keep everyone safe. The general community understands how to respond when firefighters are on the scene. But those with autism, maybe even your son or daughter, don’t necessarily know what to do. So parents need to be proactive, not

in Autism Safety by Karen Kaplan, MS