Autism Parenting Advice

Q: I have a nine-year-old girl who is not able to speak fully. She can spell some words when we teach her, but I want her to get better in her speech. Any suggestions, please? A: Hi Kavitha, Firstly, saying a letter in isolation can often be easier than saying a whole word with multi-syllables

Ideas for supporting children on the spectrum as they enter puberty, navigate hormones and explore relationships. As a working mom of three children, ranging from ages four to 15, it is safe to say that I have a lot on my plate. The thing is, all parents have a lot on their plates. We must

The mom that has it “all together” is an idea pitched to us from all sides. That picture most moms have in their heads of what the “perfect mom” is a well dressed lady, works inside and outside the home, super organized, has kids who are clean and sitting at the table eating a full

“How is he?” my mother in law asked worriedly as she hugged me tight. “Not good, I don’t know how to reach him, he is here, but so far away”, I explained through the tears running down my face. My precious son had been struggling for weeks emotionally and physically. From my own personal experience

What is so important about teaching autistic children critical thinking skills? These skills are important to everyday decisions and obstacles an individual may face, there are many neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals that have a hard time with these skills. This article is going to outline abstract and conceptual thinking skills development, practice, and use in

As a parent of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), interactions and communication can be at the top of the lists of concerns while you wonder how to interact with an autistic child. There really isn’t an exact science that would work for all autistic children. As with any program or exercise, knowing the child

Being careful not to show her sadness and distress over the loss of her cousin to her kids, Lilly sat wearily down on the sofa. She did not want to burden him with her grief. Her five year old, non verbal, autistic son, Jonas, came into the room. Not making eye contact with her, Jonas

When it comes to being a parent of a child with autism, emotions can be challenging for both parties. There are many assumptions made when individuals think about people with autism spectrum disorders and their emotional responses. This article is going to key in on: Do autistic people feel different emotions? Alexithymia and how it

Autism guardianship is a decision with major repercussions; for some parents, however, it may seem like the only choice offering maximum protection for their almost adult child with developmental disabilities. In most countries around the world a child becomes a legal adult on their 18th birthday; this is a fact most parents find terrifying. Thinking

Parents of autistic children may have thought to themselves, “What are some autism coping skills and strategies I could use with my child?” Understanding when their children have meltdowns or become triggered by some outside factor is a good starting point. Knowing about coping strategies and teaching them can help support autistic children in difficult

The challenges of parenting a child with special needs can put a strain on relationships. Here are a few ideas that could help revitalize your marriage or partnership. “So what are you buying John for your anniversary?” my girlfriend Jean asked me. “It depends on which John you’re talking about because I think I married

An article about how parents and educators can teach neurodivergent children love as a life skill. My early days in special education were a rollercoaster. I was excited, terrified, overconfident, and underprepared. All of my supervisors and trainers had instilled in me the importance of building student independence and involvement in their community and education.

An neurodiverse adult advises parents on how to help their children learn to laugh at themselves and with others in a positive way. I would always say, “Sorry, blonde moment!” as a cover-up whenever I didn’t understand something right away. Now that I’m back to my natural hair color as a brunette, I guess I

Here’s why it’s essential to have a network of supportive individuals who can carry you through your autism parenting journey. I often hear that I am a strong mother for raising an autistic child on my own. As humbling as this statement is, I cannot sincerely accept all the credit. My 19-year-old son Julian has

My son is seven years old and has special needs with the inability to communicate through speech. He is not diagnosed as autistic but he has sensory issues and is unable to walk and carry out his frustrations. He bites and hits himself and we have tried many things for intervention. What are your thoughts

Ah the holidays, such a busy time. From preparing enough food to have leftovers for weeks, to gift shopping for family and friends, there are lots of tasks and traditions that come into play. There is no doubt the holiday season can be overwhelming for the average person; now, imagine those feelings times 10—that is

Autistic children sometimes need more support than neurotypical children as they grow up. Autism can come with challenges in school, social interactions, the professional world, and daily life, not to mention the various medical issues that may occur alongside being on the spectrum. Parents and caregivers of autistic kids know they are especially important to

Elon Musk has asperger’s, he revealed this during a Saturday Night Live gig. Apparently speculation about the billionaire being on the spectrum was pretty common online. Having previously spoken about “solving” autism, his asperger’s revelation was not applauded by all—but it did encourage more open conversations about autism.  Unfortunately some of these conversations are based

All parents dread the day they have to explain death to their kids. Grief and loss are difficult for anyone to experience, much less young children. Parents of kids with autism may be even more worried about how to help them cope. Although this conversation will never be easy, there are things you can do

Should you get a pet when you have a special needs child? When making this decision, concentrate on getting the right match for your family and your child. Choosing a compatible pet can be a difficult task. Doing a little research is key to picking the perfect pet for your family. When you start looking,

A look at how using an interest-based approach can effectively aid your child’s learning. I was trained in Verbal Behavior when I started out in the field of autism and related disorders. I loved working with Sue* who was two years old when I met her and “echolalic”. She was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder

Like parents, children on the spectrum have had to adjust to  COVID-19 regulations. Here are some tips for creating a home environment that supports your child’s development. We all know there’s no such thing as a “perfect environment”. But there is an optimum, and it is our goal to create it—not just for us, but

There are two categories of play activities: structured and unstructured. But what is the difference, and which is more beneficial for children with special needs like autism? Unstructured play is any activity designated as “free play” or “free time.” This category of play is completely child-led, without instruction from an adult. Unstructured play also does

The issue of racism has come strongly to the forefront of the news. More individuals are beginning to take a closer look at their own views surrounding issues associated with racism. Here are ten simple tips for explaining racism to your own child with autism: Don’t wait: Begin the conversation early It is not necessary

Does the idea of holiday travel as an autism parent fill you with dread? Check out these top tips tried and tested by a busy mom. In the autism world of parenting, the worries that accompany holiday travel can be overwhelming; I mean, just traveling in general is stressful, but when you tackle on the holidays,

Find out how offering Structured Choices to your child with autism can lead to easier and happier parent-child interactions. Are you interested in improving engagement and communication with a child with autism? Would you like to learn a specific strategy, or do you prefer a philosophical approach? If you chose a specific strategy, you have

Caregivers of children with autism devote so much time and much needed support to their loved ones, they can be susceptible to burnout as a result. This article offers some tips for arranging time for self-care and what to do once you’ve got it.  If you are a caregiver of a child with autism spectrum

A year ago, if you had told me a raging pandemic would sweep across the globe, all schools would be closed, and parents would wind up holding down full-time jobs while simultaneously supervising their kids’ education, all from the comfort of their living rooms, I’d have told you to check the small print on your

Grandparents are an integral part of family dynamics. Children with autism need to realize the importance grandparents play in their lives. They need to see them as a resource for assistance and advice. Sense of family and belonging The presence of grandparents provides a child with autism a special sense of family and belonging in

Many children will approach their parents in hopes of getting a pet. Children with autism are no different. Busy parents raising an autistic child may wonder why they would want to introduce an additional responsibility into their home while trying to juggle all of the needs of their child. Here are 11 ways adding a

Parenting is the world’s hardest job!  It comes with immense responsibility in which you are on call 24/7, incessantly worrying, and using all your time and energy working at a “real job” without getting a real paycheck. Parenting a child with autism is 100 times more stressful and exhausting because you are not only dealing

I will always be grateful to my aunt, an occupational therapist, for being the first one to suggest that a person in my life may be on the autism spectrum. He had no language delay, and a normal IQ, which I incorrectly believed ruled out autism. I was ignorant and in complete denial, which unfortunately,