Autism Tools and Supports

A look at ways to support your child’s transition from school to home during breaks from education. We often think children are really excited and happy about breaks from school, but the end of the school year or spring break is often a tricky, emotional time for children and their families, especially for those with

Practicing mindfulness is just as important for your child as it is for you. It’s easy to create opportunities that motivate mindfulness and can lead to a relaxing bonding experience for parents and their kids on the spectrum. In 2004, when I specialized in the field of psychology, autism spectrum disorder, and special needs education,

Are you looking for some tools and support for communicating with your nonverbal child? Look no further. Augmentative Adaptive Communication When interacting with a nonverbal child with autism, most communication tends to be adult-initiated. An adult provides the child with directions, instructions, and organized choices. The child responds to the adult with help from Augmentative

Many tools can help teach autistic children about their own emotions. One great tool is an autism emotion chart. These charts contain pictures and can be as interactive as the parent or teacher makes them. Emotional regulation can start with the child being able to understand and identify what emotion they may be feeling. If

When your child has been diagnosed with autism, it can sometimes be hard to find a way to ensure they play well. Many children on the autism spectrum tend to stim. That’s why autism stim toys were created. These toys help provide stimulation for the senses and can help regulate the child’s nervous system. There

I was so happy to be home, not only because the storm was over and our house was safe again, but because it was private and quiet. Owen, who was two at the time, was running around in a diaper. “Owen, come here and let mommy put your clothes on you”, I instructed. Owen’s reply:

There are many different types of assistive technology for speech and language disorders available on the market today. With the range of needs, the technology can help autistic individuals communicate with others, hearing what others are saying, and emergencies. There are many other uses for this technology ranging from non verbal autism and ranging across

Playing is one of the best and most important parts of being a child. The freedom to create and use your imagination using the toys around you or getting attached to a specific toy is something many of us have enjoyed growing up.  For your autistic child, this can be the same. Play is important

It can be tricky trying to figure out autism benefits by state. Below is a comprehensive listing, organized by US states, to help parents along this journey and answer some questions. A list of autism benefits by state Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida The benefits for autism spectrum disorder include the

Sensory toys are essential items to keep in your home to aid your child’s sensory needs. Here are a few ideas to consider. Think of a moment in time where you’ve felt a sense of calmness and relaxation. It could be from receiving a massage, maybe listening to your favorite music, or getting into a

Ask any occupational therapist, and they could point to a moment that inspired them in a way they cannot forget. A few years ago, I worked with a little boy who was nonverbal. One day, while assessing his fine motor skills, he was clearly getting frustrated but did not yet have a way to effectively

Your child has been in speech therapy for close to a year, and little progress has been made. The journey to speaking seems like a long, winding road. You’re frustrated, and so is your child. Should you just switch to AAC? In my years of experience as a speech-language pathologist, I have noticed many signs

Many parents of children with autism have come to me as an occupational therapist asking about their child’s device usage. The common theme is they recognize their child is happy, calm, and loves time with the iPad or tablet, yet are wary about the amount of screen time their child is getting. Rest easy, parents—the

For parents of children with autism, the demands can be overwhelming. Balancing constant care with personal needs is challenging. That’s where respite care for autism comes in. It provides a much-needed break, allowing parents to recharge, focus on other family members, or engage in personal activities. You don’t have to wait for a crisis to