Features:
Connections With Karen: Be Like a Detective to Solve Behavior Problems
Parents must observe, study, and collect information to create a plan and solutions for their child’s behaviors.
Karen Kaplan, MS
Behavior Red Flags: When to Seek Professional Help
Know the red flags and age-specific signs to determine when to seek a professional evaluation for your child.
Katie Moore, MS, BCBA, LABA
Meltdowns in Markets and Malls, Oh My!
When your child with autism has a meltdown in public, here are reasons why and what you can do.
Kaitlyn Rance, MS, BCBA, LABA
Q&A with Dr. Temple Grandin - Headbanging and Aggression
This month, Dr. Temple Grandin answers parents’ questions about head banging and aggression.
Dr. Temple Grandin, PhD
5 Steps to Peace and Connection with H.E.A.R.T.
Parents sometimes yell, but using the acronym HEART can help bring calm and connection with our kids.
Harmony Heslop, BA
Autism and Relationships with Family and Friends
Discover how relationships provide emotional support, social interaction, and a sense of belonging for autistic individuals.
Carol Tatom, BA.HSE, CHW
Do Autistic Kids Need Therapy?
One psychotherapist and mom weighs the benefits of therapy for children with autism.
Wendy McGuire, MSW, RSW, PhD
Consistent Behavior Plans That Work for Home and School
What is a behavior plan, and how can it help with behaviors at home and school?
Carol Tatom, BA.HSE, CHW
Success Story - My Hero, My Son
Barry Grant, Jr. celebrates his son’s communication despite being nonverbal.
Barry Grant, Jr.
Fostering Communication with Your ASD Grandchild
Supporting your autistic grandchild in their communication style can provide comfort, understanding, and connection.
Dr. Valarie Whiting, PhD
How Movies Gave My Son a Voice
One mom shares how lines from movies helped her autistic son communicate his thoughts and feelings.
Elizabeth Steere, PhD
When You Think Nothing Is Working
Sometimes, when you think, “Nothing is working,” it probably is.
Lisa Candera, Esq., CLC
How the Brain Works in Autism
Let’s look at the differences in an ASD brain and how that might affect individuals.
Michael Wolff, PsyD, ABN, ABPDN, and Rochelle Manor, PhD
Ask Dr. Malcolm
Dr. Malcolm answers parents’ questions and concerns about their autistic children.
Dr. Ron I. Malcolm, EdD
Romantic Relationships on the Autism Spectrum
Building and maintaining a romantic partnership can present challenges, especially for someone on the spectrum.
Ali Perkinson, EdD CCC-SLP, BCBA-D
Explaining Death to Your Child With Autism
Here are some helpful suggestions for entering into a discussion about death with your autistic child.
Dr. Ron I. Malcolm, EdD
Autism Warrior - Rocking and Rolling with Autism
One young man with autism turned a hobby into a non-profit, advocating for others on the spectrum.
Sharon Longo, BA
What’s New on the Bookshelf? Dinosaur Boy: Guilty by Reason of Autism
This book provides mystery and suspense as a boy with autism is accused of a crime and must figure out the clues to clear his name.
Liz Bohn
What’s New on the Bookshelf? The Power of Play and Love: Watching Sarah Rise
This memoir, written by a mother about her child, is meant to help any parent raising a neurodivergent child.
Jennifer Celeste Briggs
What’s New on the Bookshelf? One Life, Live It!
One author uses his architectural and writing skills to highlight the various possibilities for housing and integration for individuals of all abilities.
Charles R. Durrett
Dear Readers,
Depending on the day, February can abound with a flurry of feelings as we head through the middle of the winter. Love, joy, or inspiration can make icicles appear like diamonds and snow like a fluffy mountain of cotton. Unfortunately, the month can also elicit negative feelings of anger, anxiety, and overwhelm as we deal with snowstorms, bleak landscapes, and being stuck indoors. As parents of children with autism, you know that those negative feelings can bubble and spill over into many aspects of life, including home, school, and public.
This month's theme is “Spit Happens: Behavior SOS,” and we all know how the dreaded meltdowns can occur, sometimes without warning. Triggers can occur because of sensory issues in the child’s environment, disruption to their play, a change in plans, challenging social situations, or some other overwhelming feeling. If the child is at home, a parent might not have the same distressing reaction as being in a crowded store. During these times, parents (and individuals on the spectrum) may need a behavior SOS. Don’t fret - we’re here to help.
Several articles touch upon behavior, such as Kaitlyn Rance’s “Meltdowns in Markets and Malls, Oh My!” and Katie Moore’s “Behavior Red Flags: Seeking Professional Help.” Since parents and teachers need to be on the same page, Carol Tatom writes about “Consistent Behavior Plans: Home and School.”
Family connections and a sense of peace are important during times of negative behavior, and Harmony Heslop writes about “5 Steps to Peace and Connection with H.E.A.R.T.” Dr. Valarie Whiting also focuses on the importance of “Fostering Communication with Your ASD Grandchild.” And we can’t forget about romantic connections this month. Ali Perkinson writes about “Romantic Relationships on the Autism Spectrum.”
Whether your or your child’s feelings swirl like a gentle snowfall or rage like a blizzard, take time to handle your emotions so you can react to your child’s with clarity and calm. Take a refreshing walk, build a cute little snowman, or enjoy the rush of sledding with your family. Many behaviors will occur, but like any SOS, you must ask for help to receive it.
Happy Reading!
Sharon Longo
Editor
Autism Parenting Magazine