This Month's Highlights
Start Early, Planning for Independence
Helpful tools to plan a child's future independence.
Karen Kaplan, MS
Living Options with ASD
Housing options for adults on the spectrum.
Jan Stewart and Osman Gelle
Tips on Cleaning Your Home
Helpful tips to make cleaning more manageable.
Angela Chapes
Getting Ready for Work
Tips for preparing young adults for the workforce.
Dr. Danny L. McGuire, Jr., MA, MPA, MS, PCC
Dyspraxia and Autism
A look at dyspraxia and ways parents can offer support.
Elizabeth Stephens-Sarlós, MSc, PhD
Helping Kids Manage Big Emotions
Strategies for managing emotional dysregulation in kids.
Holly Blanc Moses, MS, LCMHC, LPA, ADHD-CCSP, ASDCS
Teaching Skills Through Special Interests
Turning special interests into learning opportunities.
Heather Cushing-Gordon, M.ADS, BCBA, RBA (Ont.)
Q&A with Dr. Temple Grandin
Dr. Temple Grandin answers questions about accommodations and jobs.
Temple Grandin, PhD
Navigating Unspoken Social Rules
Helping children understand the subtleties of socialization.
Dr. Brett J. Novick, MS, EdD, LMFT
What is Social Skills Therapy?
An intervention to build communication and social skills.
Dr. Alexandra Perkinson, EdD CCC-SLP, BCBA-D
Our Journey to Homeschool
A dad describes how homeschooling helped his son thrive.
Ashton Elliot
Speech Development Starts at Home
Understanding speech delay and ways parents can help.
Marci Melzer, MEd-SLP
Building Communication Skills for Adulthood
Lifelong communication success starts with early planning.
Maggie McGarvie, SLP
Hugs from My Teen
Finding the humor in an autistic teen’s overzealous hugs.
Andrea Grant, BA PGDip and PGCert
Understanding Level 1 Autism in Highly Intelligent Children
Are autistic children with high IQs just masking their struggles?
Rochelle Manor, PhD
Your Baggage Is Not Your Child's
A child’s old toys may hold many precious memories for a parent.
Jane Kim
Ask Dr. Malcolm
Dr. Malcolm answers parents’ questions about their autistic children.
Dr. Ronald I. Malcolm, EdD
Online Dating Tips: Strategies That Work
Strategies to make dating with autism easier.
Jeremy and Ilana Hamburgh
Teaching and Living as an AuDHD Educator
How autism and ADHD influence one educator’s teaching.
Céline Forster, BMus, DipEd
What’s New on the Bookshelf? Journey to Finding the New You: A Self-Help Book for Parents of Children with Special Needs
A resource to empower parents on their journey.
Frances Victory, PhD, CPC
Dear Readers,
August was always a month of mixed emotions for me. The summer relaxation would be ending, but school preparation and promise were just beginning.
Like a child heading off to school for Kindergarten, middle school, high school, or even their dorm at college, both parent and child experience varying emotions. One heads off to a new adventure with some butterflies and excitement, while the other waves with pride and a few tears, knowing their child is ready for the upcoming challenges. We take off the training wheels and let go of the seat as our child pedals and balances, moving forward without looking back.
This month’s theme is “Independent Living: Skills for Self-Sufficiency,” and helping your child move ahead toward new goals while completing certain tasks without help can give them a sense of self-reliance and autonomy. We watch them conquer communication issues, self-regulate better, gain some social confidence, and transition through the milestones.
As they build upon everything we taught them, using their skills with confidence, we watch them move forward, pedaling with determination. That shaky swerve becomes a focused stride as they move on to the next goal ahead. Hopefully, they’ll have a moment to glance back and see our proud smiles, remembering how much we love and care for them. A little wave might be nice too!
To all of you who are preparing your child to set off for their next goal independently, here’s to a smooth pavement ahead.
Happy reading!
Sharon Longo
Editor
Autism Parenting Magazine
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