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

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in Autism Tools and Supports by Erin Bergman, BA

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 Intensive Care Coordination – supports such as assessments, case planning and arrangement, social support, and monitoring

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in Autism Tools and Supports by Donnesa McPherson, AAS

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

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in Autism Tools and Supports by Rebecca Lake

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

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in Autism Tools and Supports by Rebecca Connick, MOT, LOTR

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

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in Autism Tools and Supports by Rebecca Connick, MOT, LOTR

Caring for a child with autism can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Parents or caregivers with a child on the autism spectrum often adjust their entire household in order to accommodate his/her needs, and sometimes forget to focus on their own self-care (or struggle to make time for themselves). If you find that round-the-clock care

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in Autism Tools and Supports by Hannah Gal

A child’s job is to play. The act of playing helps children develop physical coordination, emotional maturity, social skills, and the self-confidence to try new experiences and explore new environments. For children with autism, it is important to provide toys and activities that are designed to foster these skills. By learning critical play skills children

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in Autism Tools and Supports by Megan Breault, MS BCBA, LABA

Looking for a way to entertain and educate your children? We compiled a list of the best autism apps for kids and adults with developmental difficulties. Available on iOS and Android these special education apps can help with communication, social skills and even problem solving. These apps were designed for individuals on autism spectrum from

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in Autism Tools and Supports by Amy Tobik, BA

I learned almost 30 years ago that my extremely fussy baby grew calmer when cocooned tightly inside my arms as we swayed side to side. Back then, I had not yet heard about his neurologically-based disorder known as Asperger’s syndrome (part of the autism spectrum), which is associated with sensory sensitivities and social and communication

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in Autism Tools and Supports by Barbara Smith, MS, OTR /L

I live in New England, which for those of you not familiar with the United States is a group of states that gets to witness what every season has to offer. We get blizzards, we get heat waves, and we are well known for our beautiful foliage; when the leaves turn such vibrant colors that

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in Autism Tools and Supports by Brooke Twine