Autism Parenting Magazine - Issue 100

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Dear Readers,

Managing autism can be complicated. As many families have discovered, obtaining the best tools, therapies, and strategies for your child with autism isn’t always so straightforward. And to make it even more challenging, the theories and terminology surrounding autism often shift. We want to remove these kinds of stressors from your life and deliver the material you need to make the best decisions for your family. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, therapist, or physician, this issue will provide the up-to-date behavioral, physical, and educational therapies you need.

Psychotherapist Annette Nuñez, PhD, LMFT, recognizes an autism diagnosis can be confusing for families as they are often bombarded by an overwhelming amount of material on the internet and social media. She believes children with autism respond differently to a variety of therapies, which is why she recommends families create a therapeutic model and a team to address all your child’s needs. If you would like guidance on which therapies and therapists may be best suited for your child, please look at her piece, Three Tips to Finding the Right Therapies and Therapists for Your Child.

Does your child have a hard time wearing certain fabrics or respond negatively to touch? Kelly Beins, BA BHScOTR/L, tells us approximately 90 percent of people with autism have sensory processing challenges. Kids with hypersensitivity often have a tough time with textures and fabrics because they are unable to filter out or process sensations. Please read Kelly’s piece Q&A Help: My Child Is Hypersensitive to Clothing as she responds to a reader whose child refuses to wear a school uniform. Kelly not only explains the current theory behind hypersensitivity, but she provides insightful strategies that might encourage a child to wear a non-preferred clothing item.

No one really wants to think about lice, but the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates there are up to 12 million infestations each year in the US among children under 12. While multiple medical treatments are available, they all include checking the hair and repeatedly combing with a nit comb to remove nits and lice. For kids with sensitivities, this procedure can be a nightmare. Please check out Maggie Marshall’s piece called Treating Lice on Children With Sensory Sensitivity to learn fast, non-toxic ways to remove this irritating insect from a sensory sensitive child. Even if your child is lucky enough to avoid this pest, Maggie’s advice on reducing stress during bath time is valuable for all kids with sensitivities.

Some children with autism experience high anxiety when it comes time to go to the doctor—and this includes the important yearly visit to the ophthalmologist. Please review Dr. Ron Malcolm’s piece My Child With Autism Is Afraid To Have Vision Checked for steps you and your child can follow to reduce fear during this appointment. Be sure to look at the sample social story that may provide your child with new coping skills.

Many young children with autism have trouble developing the fine-motor skills they need to build crucial eye-hand coordination which can affect reading and writing. To learn ways to build vital fine motor coordination using crayons, take a look at Top Ways to Improve Fine Motor Skills Through Coloring by Rebecca Connick, MOT, LOTR. Her professional tips range from the beginner skill level to the more advanced.

Does your child have chronic digestive issues? Kids with autism typically experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, constipation, and diarrhea more often than their peers. According to Shawn Talbott, PhD, this can be the result of out of balance gut bacteria (microbiome). These kinds of digestive issues are not only unpleasant for the child but can affect his/her mood and behavior. To learn the latest research on how soluble fiber can improve health, please take a look at Soluble Fiber May Improve Irritability in Kids With Autism. Not only does Shawn provide the latest research, but she includes innovative ways to slip more soluble fiber into your child’s diet.

Finding the best tools and strategies for your child with autism includes planning for the future. Rachel Bédard, PhD, strongly believes all young people with autism who are able should gain job experience. Whether it’s volunteering or paid work helping a neighbor, developing work skills can begin as early as the preteen years. Take a look at When Should My Child With ASD Get a Job? for expert advice on how your child can begin gaining skills for a lifetime.

Financial planning is equally important for your child’s future. If you don’t have a solid plan in place, please refer to Do I Need a Special Needs Trust With an ABLE Account? provided by financial expert Ryan F. Platt, MBA, ChFC, ChSNC.

Also, look at our selection of personal narratives and poetry this issue as they reflect our remarkable autism community. In Kathleen Galati’s piece called Wisdom from Grandma, for example, a grandmother shares how she lovingly navigates life with her grandson with autism. And in My Son Has Autism and I’m Proud, Grace Braun tenderly describes her child’s autism journey and the multiple rewards of being his mom.

Check out our Autism Parenting Magazine Facebook page, as well as our special page called Autism Support Groups for Families which provides a unique opportunity to unite with other families.

See you there!

Kind regards,

Amy KD Tobik
Editor-in-Chief

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