One of the most difficult things to cope with as an autism mom was my son’s inability to speak. I remember hoping and praying that speech was going to develop and reassuring myself that it was a matter of time and the words would emerge by perhaps the next holiday or birthday. I recall having… Continue Reading
Peace. It’s what we all want, right? The problem is that we have to fight to get that peace, which feels like we’re going in circles. Every parent feels this way from time-to-time; like we’re running around all crazed and nothing is getting done while a tornado of “to-do” stuff is tearing everything apart around… Continue Reading
We have a very generous village. When our oldest son was diagnosed with high-functioning autism a little over a year ago, the people in our life surrounded us with support. The week we got our diagnosis, our daycare provider sent home a care package. A distant cousin drove several miles to meet me for coffee… Continue Reading
I lay in my bed not wanting to move. I don’t want to open my eyes because I know the sun will be too bright. As I try to get comfortable in my bed, everything starts to bother me. The smell of coffee from the kitchen is nauseating. Why does the whole house have to… Continue Reading
As parents to children who are nonverbal or have limited speech, we have to learn some skills of our own to help them learn to communicate better. I have three children with autism myself who are all now extremely verbal, but when they were younger, communication was a constant struggle. Here are a few of… Continue Reading
When my son, Alex, was born with Down syndrome, we quickly connected with the community. We appreciated the connections with families walking similar paths and made friends with the people who get it in a way that even the most understanding friends outside the community cannot. When Alex was four years old, we brought home… Continue Reading
I have three autistic children, along with three who are neurotypical. They were all born within a 12-year period. As you might imagine, our family household was a wild and crazy 20-year rollercoaster ride as they were all growing up. I, through desperation, trial and error, magical luck, and vivid imagination, came up with what… Continue Reading
Buy Single Issue Subscribe today and save 50% Features: Easy Ways to Help Your Child Socialize Using Video Self-Modeling Learn simple ways to teach social skills using an innovative tool known as Video Self-Modeling. Melissa M. Root, PhD Special Needs and Safety: Ways To Keep Kids Protected Follow a three-step approach to preventing accidents or… Continue Reading
So, you have decided that in-home therapy is the right move for you and your child. You’ve had the referral and the assessment, and the insurance company says yes—you’re all set, right? Well, almost! Before the therapist even rings the doorbell, take a moment to read eight tips for therapy survival to help make your… Continue Reading
One of the best gifts that I have ever received was a day that the majority of parents in our world would call a typical day. A day of calm play, happy though exuberant childhood voices, and a soft pitter patter of cascading footsteps throughout the home, although for our household, this quiet day was… Continue Reading