A Mother’s Gift: Our First Kiss
After a long day full of unexpected fun in the snow (daddy got to stay home) and a car ride with no destination in mind, I never imagined the gift that was going to come as we were getting ready for bed. Per our routine we go upstairs after dinner for an hour of play; […]
Continue readingHow to Plan a Fantastic Summer Break for an ASD Child
Summer is full of memorable moments such as family vacations to the beach, day trips to the zoo, or going to a certified autism center theme park, such as Sesame Place. But as a mother of a child with autism, I’ve learned the season also involves careful and strategic planning, like any activity that is […]
Continue readingAutism Social Skills: How to Enhance Social Interaction
What Are Social Skills? Social skills refer to a child’s ability to communicate with others in a way that is acceptable and appropriate. When a child has social skills, he/she can form friendships and can carry a simple conversation. Social Skills and Autism It’s a common misconception that children with autism do not make friends […]
Continue readingBenefits and Uses of Weighted Vest for Autism
What is a weighted vest? A weighted vest is a garment worn over clothing with extra weight added within the vest. This is done either by using heavy fabric or filling the vest’s pockets with weighted objects such as steel bars or sandbags. It is designed to add between five to ten percent of a […]
Continue readingHELP: How Do I Stop My Son With Autism From Biting When He’s Angry?
Dear Rob, My son used to bang his head but he has stopped. For the past two months, he has been pushing and biting children in the classroom for no reason. At home, he is trying to bite us when he gets angry about not getting what he wants. Please tell me why he is […]
Continue readingThe Amazing Ways Nature Helped Me Reconnect With My Son
I have always been at odds with the world. I had my first counselor at age 15. My first breakdown in my mid- to late-twenties. Then again 10 years later. At the age of 36, I had a baby with my long-term partner. I was not prepared for the vast confusion a birth precipitates. The […]
Continue readingFrom Chaos to Peace – Using Mindfulness in Special Education
Close your eyes and imagine walking into a classroom and seeing what can only be explained as pure chaos. You can see students arguing with paraprofessionals, a student laying on the floor and kicking his feet while he yells, a student sitting in the corner with his hood on (no doubt trying to cancel out […]
Continue readingAutism Stimming: Causes, Management, and Types
What is stimming? Stimming or stim is a shortened term for self-stimulation and is one of the many indicators of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A person who stims shows repetitive body movements that can involve all five senses or moving objects in a repetitive motion. It is also called “stereotypy.” Causes of stimming Although the […]
Continue readingWhat I Wish People Understood About Autism
Growing up, I always knew he was different, different from other people around us. But I still could never understand why, why him? When we went out in public, people would just stare at us for such long periods of time it was almost uncomfortable—it was as though they were judging us and him just […]
Continue readingThe Need to Understand Irregular Sensory Regulation
Ian*, one of my regular patients, usually starts his Shiatsu session with significant delay. He walks slowly and often stands for minutes, weaving his body, before going through every door. Before we get to the room where the Shiatsu sessions are held, several minutes have typically passed. The Shiatsu mat is ready on the floor […]
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