Families navigating through the world of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face numerous obstacles throughout everyday life. Events and situations that many people take for granted, such as owning a pet or interacting with a domesticated animal, may pose great challenges. Animals, especially dogs, are an integral part of American culture. As individuals with autism learn… Continue Reading
A canine has long been considered ‘man’s best friend.’ A dog’s unconditional love, non-judgment, and faithfulness have often inspired a partnership that brings about many benefits to both canine and human lives. A therapy dog’s main function is to help people emotionally, though physical benefits can result by boosting morale for physical therapy and encouraging… Continue Reading
An autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis can be difficult news to hear. Parents of newly diagnosed children, or adults with autism, actively seek out treatment methods that relieve the anxiety and stress that can accompany autism. When anxiety and stress are relieved, daily functions improve, sometimes dramatically. One gentle and reliable method that can often… Continue Reading
An exclusive Autism Parenting Magazine guide Finding the best method for treating autism is often a challenge for the loved ones of children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Because no two people with ASD are exactly the same, it’s vital to choose a method of treatment and therapy and an intervention plan that… Continue Reading
If your child has autism, you are probably quite familiar with sensory processing issues. Although sensory processing and autism are two separate entities, they often co-exist and each can further complicate the other. Oftentimes, children with autism have greater difficulties regulating their emotions and behaviors because processing all the sensory stimuli in their world can… Continue Reading
Horseback riding therapy has been successfully prescribed to treat children and adults with developmental challenges like autism and Asperger’s for several decades now as part of a comprehensive therapeutic package. Scientists concluded long ago that the horse’s multidimensional rhythmic movement, which resembles the natural walking gait of a human, can achieve specific therapeutic outcomes. It… Continue Reading
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is closely aligned with autism in that most individuals on the autism spectrum have significant struggles with SPD (autismspeaks.org). Children with sensory impairments find it difficult to process and act upon information received through the senses, resulting in challenges such as clumsiness, anxiety, and social and behavioral problems. Additionally, many of them have sensory-related sensitivities… Continue Reading
Invented by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, the family owned LEGO® Group was founded in 1932, much to the delight of millions of children and adults throughout the world. What we recognize as the modern day LEGO® brick was introduced in 19581. LEGO® combines two Danish words. “leg godt,” which means play well1. The fundamental premise of LEGO®… Continue Reading
Every parent’s goal is to have their child generalize the things they learn in therapy to their everyday lives, but that’s exactly the problem, the learning occurs in therapy and then we all go back to our everyday lives. All too often there is no crossover. Instead, there is the illusion that therapy needs to… Continue Reading
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,… Continue Reading