This Month's Highlights
Everyone Needs to Feel Safe
Effective strategies to help your child learn safety rules.
Karen Kaplan, MS
Protecting Your Child From Sexual Predators
What is a sexual predator, and what can parents do to protect their children?
Dr. Ronald I. Malcolm, EdD
Strategies for Daily Interactions
Explore safety skills and strategies for guiding children to safer interactions.
Wendy McGuire, MSW, RSW, PhD and Jenna Schuweiler, MScOT, BMSc
Dr. Temple Grandin Therapy and Medication
Dr. Temple Grandin answers parents’ questions about therapy and medication.
Dr. Temple Grandin, PhD
Understanding and Supporting Meltdowns in Adults with Autism
What causes meltdowns and how can we support adults before, during, and after one?
Alicia Trautwein
A Father’s Lessons in Love and Resilience
A father shares his fears, hopes, and joy in raising a child on the spectrum.
Aidan Guertin
Managing Communication in High-Stress Situations
Communication can be especially difficult in stressful situations.
Polina Shkadron, MA/SLP, MSNE, CTP, ADHD-RSP
Making Pictures, Bracelets, and Friends and Progressing Swimmingly
One parent finds advocacy through a hobby. Another shares a son's water journey.
Michelle Unruh; Carolyn Crim
Graduation Day and Autism
Tips to help parents and their children make the most of graduation day.
Dr. Ronald I. Malcolm, EdD
Following Directions and Autism: Strategies for Success
Helpful strategies to make following directions and learning easier.
Shannon McIntyre, MEd
Dyscalculia and Autism
What is dyscalculia, and why is it important to address this impairment?
Leigh DeSilva, MAS
Understanding PTSD in Individuals with Autism
How and why does post-traumatic stress disorder occur in individuals with ASD?
Miriam Edelman, MPA, MSSW
Tooth Time: Making Dentist Appointments Autism-Friendly
Expert tips to help make your child's next dental visit a positive experience.
Dr. Michael Lateiner, DMD and Dr. Peter Paradiso, MBS, DMD
Using Common Sense to Weigh the Pros and Cons of Vaccination
The importance of using common sense when considering vaccine benefits.
Col. (R) Eric Flake, MD
Ask Dr. Malcolm
Dr. Malcolm answers parents' questions and addresses their concerns.
Ronald I. Malcolm, EdD
Workplace Safety
Practical tips to make workplaces safer and more inclusive for autistic individuals.
Andrew Arboe
From Special Interest to Career
Turning special interests into a career might be easier than you think.
Cory Morrison
Breaking My 33-Year Silence: Living with Autism & Finding Acceptance
One man on the spectrum ends his silence and shares his journey with others.
Brendan Tighe, BA
Spend a Day With Alex
A father's journey to help his non-verbal son navigate the world confidently.
Dr. Ralph “Defender” Morales, PhD, (G)HRMc USAF(vet)
Ellie's Song
A children’s story about resilience and finding one’s voice.
Sam Goldstein, PhD
Dear Readers,
For many, June is the start of summer and the end of the school year. Routines change, and our children may have much more free time. There may be days spent in the yard, by the pool, or at the park, where you meet others and socialize. While this may be fun and relaxing, it can also mean that safety measures need to be readdressed, explained, and followed. For parents of a child with autism, unstructured days can mean moments of bliss as a child picks flowers or relaxes on a beach towel, to moments of panic as a child approaches a stranger or elopes from our sight.
This month's theme is “Safety SOS,” and addressing these challenging safety issues is intended to empower parents and individuals on the autism spectrum, not cause alarm or fear. By being proactive, we help our children in those moments outside of school and the home, so they have the tools to handle situations that don’t always occur during their structured days.
Try not to “sweat the small stuff,” but always be aware of the bigger picture. We want our children to be safe without our own stress taking away the fun. Enjoy the summer days ahead with your child—plant a garden, build a sand castle, or swing in a hammock. You’ll remember these simple moments when the structured events begin again.
Happy reading!
Sharon Longo
Editor
Autism Parenting Magazine
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