3 Steps to Stay Calm During Your Child’s Meltdown
Most children on the autism spectrum have experienced several meltdowns. As parents, and we all know it’s nothing near like a tantrum of a neurotypical child. No way near at all. The meltdowns range from the calm ones where the child tends to stay in one place, maybe just screaming, to the more tantrum-like, where […]
Continue readingTop Ways to Manage Stress When A Loved One Has Autism
Raising an individual on the autism spectrum comes with its challenges and blessings. Parents have to process the diagnosis and determine what approach to take regarding their child’s health. They have to learn how to navigate through the medical care process, schedule therapy providers, and plan for special education with their school districts. Their plate […]
Continue readingPoetry Corner: Sophie’s Poem
When you see me on the bench, do not feel sad for I am in another land. A land where I am free to do what I want. With wizards and superheroes. With laughter and action and sometimes tears. Outside my world I am quiet and shy. Inside my world it’s a wild ride. Inside […]
Continue reading5 Myths About Girls With Asperger’s and Social Groups
Think you know about girls on the autism spectrum? Well, think again. Here are five myths you may have heard about that need to be reconsidered when we think about girls who have been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome (AS), “mild autism,” or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) level 1. This information comes from original research done […]
Continue readingFun and Affordable Sensory Play Ideas for Kids With Special Needs
Sensory play is important for the development of all children—and that’s even truer for children on the autism spectrum who might have sensory integration issues. Whether it’s climbing a tree, squishing Play-Doh through their fingers, blowing bubbles, or burying their feet in the sand, sensory play stimulates the senses and helps children discover and understand […]
Continue readingHow to Use Music As a Tool to Gain Attention With Autism
It is Thursday. I am about to meet a new child on the autism spectrum. My goal is to teach basic music skills and use these skills to build confidence, improve fine motor movement and prompt timely responses. To achieve this, I must capture the child’s attention. Brain function researchers have applied various definitions to […]
Continue readingFor Better or Worse: How to Overcome the Effects of Autism on Marriage
My marriage almost ended. The daily stress and energy expended to advocate for and raise my active and unusual child on the autism spectrum led to complete exhaustion and meltdown. There was simply nothing left for anyone else, including my spouse. Hyper-focus on my son’s well-being, coupled with differences between my partner and me in […]
Continue readingMeet Richie Smith – A Remarkable Man With Big Ambitions
Richie Smith is a managing director of Awesometistic, a unique autism training business. Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at 33 years old, Richie’s goal is to generate autism understanding and acceptance wherever he goes. Can you share with me what life was like growing up without an official autism diagnosis? Growing up without a diagnosis […]
Continue readingHow to Find the Right Social Skills Group for Your Child
Mastering social skills is generally an ongoing endeavor for kids on the autism spectrum. Just when you master one skill, peers get older, change, and it’s time for an upgrade. How do you know if your child is ready to benefit from learning social skills in a group setting? In my office, groups promote safe […]
Continue readingHow Do I Know If My Child With Autism is Depressed?
According to research, approximately 20 percent of the population will experience depression at some point in their lives—this statistic increases to almost 60 percent in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Mood disorders (including depression) do tend to be more common in those with developmental disabilities compared to the more general population. However, depression in […]
Continue readingHow to Talk With Children With Autism About Death and Grief
When Benay Josselson’s husband, Steven, died suddenly at age 39, she knew she was entering uncharted territory. In the midst of dealing with her own devastating loss, she needed to help her young children, ages five and eight at the time, process the death of their father. Making matters more complicated, the older of the […]
Continue readingTop 8 Things You Should Never Say To a Person With Autism
My name is Leanne, I’m 24 years old, and have a very mild form of autism called Asperger’s syndrome. Here are some things you should not say to people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD): 1. You don’t care about anybody but yourself Let me explain. Even though it may seem like people on the autism […]
Continue readingDoctor Makes Great Strides with Unique Treatment for Autism
Significant overall improvements often occur in those with autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by medically treating their coexisting inner-ear/cerebellar-determined (dyslexia or learning disabilities (LD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety related) symptoms with inner-ear-improving medications. Despite significant scientific advances, we currently do not know the primary cause(s) and cure of autism. Thus a […]
Continue readingHow Much Practical Time Should Your Child with ASD Spend on the Screen?
Do you know how much time your child spends on the screen playing video games? Do you know which kinds of games are detrimental or valuable to young minds? These are very challenging questions for parents, especially for parents of children with autism. There is no question that videogames, some apps and online activities can […]
Continue reading5 Simple Art Projects For a Child with Special Needs
There’s a reason children are encouraged to draw and paint at a young age. One of the most important reasons for this is to develop the critical motor skills. Interestingly, studies have also shown that exposure to art at a young age can help children develop socially and emotionally and it teaches them analytical and […]
Continue readingCan DIR Floortime Help Kids With Autism Develop Communication Skills?
Is your child with autism passive or sensory seeking? Are there developmental delays? DIR Floortime therapy, an evidence-based intervention for autism, may strengthen basic communication skills and relationship skills for your child. What is DIR Floortime? Developmental Individual-difference Relationship-based model (DIR) Floortime was developed by the late Dr. Stanley Greenspan to help children with autism […]
Continue readingHow to Improve Communication with Your Child’s Teacher Now
The new school year can be a source of stress for many children and even more so for children with autism. There are new people to meet, new routines to learn, and all the while having to navigate this real-world environment we call school. Communicating with your child’s teacher is critical to your child’s success. […]
Continue readingNew Autism-Focused Chocolate Business Reaps the Sweetest Rewards
There are two major milestones that autism-focused business Reaps the Sweetest Reward of All a parent of a differently-abled child fears the most. One of those worries revolves around the concern of what will happen to their child when they are no longer around. Many of us who are brave enough to actually voice that […]
Continue readingChoosing the Best Curriculum to Fit the Needs of Your Child’s with Autism
I remember sitting on the floor looking at all the homeschool supplies for the new year. There were new history books and new phonics readers. My boys were excited about their new handwriting workbooks and I was dreading one subject…math. You see one of my boys struggles with math. For one year he made great […]
Continue readingHELP: My 20-Year-Old Son Cannot Control Meltdowns
I have a 20-year-old son with Asperger’s syndrome. He has just started the workforce and tried college but failed all of his classes. He was recently laid off from his employment and is now on unemployment. He lives in his own apartment and pays his own bills. The problem I’m having is he has meltdowns almost […]
Continue readingRocket Laces: Teaching the World How to Tie Shoes
I didn’t ever see myself creating the best solution for children learning to tie their shoes. During my final year in college I began working in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. I didn’t have much knowledge in the field nor did I completely understand all of the different areas of special needs but I […]
Continue readingWays You Can Find True Love on the Spectrum
I’m often asked if it’s hard for people with autism to find love. The answer…Yes! Finding love is challenging for ALL of us; so, naturally, having hard wired social difficulties exponentially raises the bar for dating dilemmas. Some of the core Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnostic deficits contribute to this challenge: rigid thinking and behaviors, […]
Continue readingReframe Your Thinking Around Autism: How the Polyvagal Theory and Brain Plasticity Help Us Make Sense of Autism
According to recent research, autism is thought to affect almost 2% of children in the United States alone. For parents worldwide, the importance of understanding what autism is and the way it affects the brain of a child as they develop into an adult has never been greater as awareness about the condition becomes more […]
Continue readingHow Journaling with My ASD Son Created a Special Life Connection
Recently I was searching the house for something. We have no storage space so “storage” is pretty much anywhere I can stuff something and finding “said something” later often proves to be an all day event. I never did find what I was looking for but I did come across DC’s Journal from way back in […]
Continue readingHow To Help Your Aspie Learn Social Skills: The 6 P’s To Social Skills Coaching For Parents
In this episode of Dr. G Aspie Show, Mary B. Moore teaches Dr. G some awesome social skills games. The key ingredient to developing and keeping friendships is having shared joy and conversation skills. These social skills games are great tools to help your child find shared joy with others and have a fun and […]
Continue readingHoliday Gift Subscription Offer!
Searching for the perfect gift this holiday season? No need to shop hectic stores — no need to waste money on postage. Give the gift of Autism Parenting Magazine every month for one year! From professional guidance on dealing with sensory and transition issues to learning about the latest in research and autism therapies, a […]
Continue readingHow to Take the Worry Out of Appointments with Your ASD Child
Do you dread taking your child with ASD to the dentist? Is a trip to get a haircut out of the question? Try using the 3 P’s: Pretend, Practice, and Pair to take the sting out of necessary outings. With a little time and preparation, kids on the spectrum of all ages and skill levels can learn to […]
Continue readingPets Can Make all the Difference in the World of Autism
Recently, a mom was crying to me that her son has autism. I know that “I just got soccer punched in the gut” feeling after the doc says my children are “on the spectrum.” I listened to all her heart’s concerns and comments with the autism diagnosis. When she was finished I said to her, […]
Continue readingBrain Balance Takes a Look at the Challenge of Sensory Processing Disorder
“I can’t wear those jeans!” “No, I won’t eat mashed potatoes!” “Agh, don’t make me touch that!” These statements and tantrums are often how Sensory Processing Disorder shows itself in a child. Sensory processing is the brain’s recognition of receptor (eyes, nose, skin, taste, vestibular, etc.) driven input, and the interpretation, integration, and prioritizing of […]
Continue readingLiving Autism Day By Day – A Focus on Family Strength
Like any parent, my initial reaction to the autism diagnosis of my son John left me stunned and, for a moment, confused. It was not my first foray with having a special needs child though, as my eldest has Tourette’s. But all the same, the first blow left me breathless. This was an entirely new […]
Continue readingNew Ways to Be Happy and Healthy While Parenting an ASD Child
Parenting a child on the autism spectrum can be very rewarding, however, it also comes with unique challenges. Some of the unique differences that parenting a child on the spectrum can bring are feelings of isolation due to anti-social behaviors that are often extreme and aggressive; the need for constant routine and daily repetitive tasks; […]
Continue readingTrehalose: The Promising Supplement You’ve Never Heard About
We are always looking for something new and something better. What’s the newest invention? What’s the newest discovery? Where’s the answer that’s going to change my world! It’s that constant and never ending hope that propels our search. The need for 100% is necessary. While we should always have gratitude for the things we have, […]
Continue readingIssue 39 – Working Together to Communicate Better
Dear Readers,Communication can be tough. As we all know, many children diagnosed with autism have a more difficult time developing the language skills they need at first. Nonverbal communication, such as eye contact, hand gestures and facial expressions, can especially be a challenge. While many children with autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) develop communication skills differently […]
Continue readingTreating Genetic Mutations in Autism
Genetic testing is the biggest medical advancement of the early 21st century. Our understanding of how genes play a role in brain function is advancing every year. While many children receive negative genetic tests for Fragile X syndrome, there are thousands upon thousands of genetic tests available. If you think you’ve exhausted genetic testing for […]
Continue readingDear Teacher: Sure Fire Ways You Can Help ASD Kids
The first day of a new school year brings stress and anxiety to everyone; parents’ tearing up about their kid’s first or last school year; teachers frantically searching for all their lesson plans and dreading the possibility of new juvenile delinquents in their classroom, and the kids themselves wondering what new surprises await them this […]
Continue readingHelp: My Aspie Lacks Motivation
Hi, I am the parent of a 13-year-old boy with Asperger’s syndrome. He was unable to cope with school so he now has a tutor come to the house each day for one hour. He is very withdrawn and this is worse when his tutor comes. How do I get him to engage with the […]
Continue readingHow One Special Bear Changed the Way People See Autism
In two short years, Tikko has captured the hearts of thousands of people. What began as my child’s dream to make the world a better place for families living with autism, is now a passion that continues to grow every time Tikko travels. We know all too well the challenges in raising a child on […]
Continue readingWhat Is the Best Way To Fund A Special Needs Trust?
Question: I have a Special Needs Trust for my son; however, I am not funding it at this time. I just have not been able to find the extra money in our budget to fund the special needs trust, especially after we save for our own retirement. What is the best way to fund a […]
Continue reading10 Valuable Life Lessons My Brother with Autism Has Taught Me
My brother, Christos, was diagnosed with autism when he was two. We grew up in Cyprus and our parents were extraordinary and even though no one prepares you for an autism diagnosis, they made it seem effortless. Living with autism is enthralling; so much so that the daily obstacles we encountered became our life. Nothing […]
Continue readingPutting the Squeeze On Sensory Processing Disorders
Industrial Designer Lisa Fraser never imagined she would one day become an award-winning and celebrated entrepreneur. “It was never in my plans – it sort of just happened,” said the 28-year-old from Vancouver. “I wanted to alleviate discomfort and develop a tool that could help children with autism function better in their daily lives. I […]
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