The Benefits of Positive Statements for You and Your ASD Child
Words are powerful! Words affect every aspect of your body from the way you think, to the way you feel, to your actions. From the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep your inner dialogue is on autopilot and you are continuously talking to yourself. The majority of the time we […]
Continue readingWhat Are the Signs of Autism in Girls – Is Asperger’s in Women Overlooked?
Girls with autism are often misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and lack the essential support they need according to recent studies. Research by Brown University indicates that autism and Asperger’s syndrome are more common than previously thought and girls are more likely to be diagnosed 1.5 years later than boys. One of the reasons for this is the […]
Continue readingHow Can I Help My ASD Child Better Control Tantrums
As a parent, nothing can be more exhausting, or frustrating, than the specter of a full-fledged tantrum with a child. It can leave both the parent and child tired, anxious, and upset regarding the momentary lapse on an uncontrolled emotional rollercoaster. With children who have challenges with communication, these outbursts can be compounded as moods […]
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 for social situations. 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 […]
Continue readingWeighted Vest for Autism – Benefits and Uses
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 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, Hand flapping and other self stimulatory behaviors
Repetitive self stimulatory behaviours like hand flapping, spinning, shaking are all very mysterious to someone without autism but what does it represent? In this guide we discuss everything you need to know about to stimming and how to manage it. What is the definition of stimming? Autism Stimming or stim is a kind of […]
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 readingIssue 76 – Raising A Child with Autism
Buy Single IssueSubscribe today and save 50%Features:The Road to Independence with Special Needs Begins with a Single StepAn autism advocate and mother to a young man with autism shares their tender journey together as she teaches him essential life skills.Kimberly Reeves, MEd Seven Heartfelt Father’s Day Gifts For Special Needs DadsA loving letter of thanks […]
Continue readingBest Sensory Toys for Kids with Sensory Processing Issues and Autism
Does your child with autism struggle with sensory input? Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience problems processing sensory input. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), “hyper- or hypo-reactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment (e.g., apparent indifference to pain/temperature, adverse response to specific […]
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 […]
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