Better Understanding Hyperlexia and Comprehension in Autism
Many parents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children are aware at some point that their child has a very accelerated splinter skill, a specific task that does not generalize to other tasks. For some parents, they may have noticed that their child is very advanced in art or music, and yet some highly advanced abilities […]
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 readingThe Therapeutic Connection With ASD – How to Know When It’s a Good Fit!
As a parent of someone on the spectrum (child, teen, adult), you are likely familiar with the process of navigating a variety of services. In my office, parents of older kids frequently recall specific therapists along their journeys who were game changers. These therapists saw inner strengths and potential in their children that had otherwise […]
Continue readingTop Therapy Services That Need to Be Considered With Autism
Recently, parents of a 3.6-year-old child diagnosed with autism with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in a US public school district approached me for some general tips on parenting a child with autism. I am a physical therapist with a special interest in the educational impact of a diagnosis like the autism spectrum, attention deficit […]
Continue readingWays Emotionally Supporting Special Needs Parents Leads to Success
There is an endless array of articles, advice and information on the internet about autism and its impact on families. Much of the available information includes costs of raising a child with autism. Many articles are geared towards parent experiences with applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, speech, and occupational therapy (OT), while other online information […]
Continue readingTop Ways Occupational Therapy Can Help Kids With Autism Every Day
There are many different methods of therapy that can be useful for helping children cope with the symptoms of autism. Since there are different types of autism and a wide variety of environments that autistic children may be raised in, it’s a good idea to figure out which type of therapy will best suit the […]
Continue readingHELP: My Special Needs Child Struggles with Motor Skills at School
My son who is nine years old has delayed milestones. He has difficulty with repetitive speech and cannot communicate about what is done or taught in class. He is a very bright student, but due to weakness and his lack of fine motor skills, he is not able to copy from the blackboard. He also lacks […]
Continue readingA Special Life Bond – The Wind Beneath My Wings
The unique bond between a parent and a special needs child is astounding. My son, Douglas, and I share a very close and wonderfully special relationship. I am a single mom, and he has both autism and childhood schizophrenia. A lot of people would think that this sounds very difficult to live with, and they […]
Continue readingInteresting Ways Occupational Therapy Can Help Parenting Stress
“[Having a child diagnosed with autism is] very stressful. I don’t have time for my husband, and I don’t have time for me! …I’m always thinking that what happened to my son is my fault. I’m trying to do my best! He needs me!” —Anonymous parent Does the above statement ring a bell? Are there […]
Continue readingAutism Therapies and Solutions – The Ultimate Guide
Finding the best method for treating autism is often a challenge for the loved ones of children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Because no two people with ASD are exactly the same, it’s vital to choose a method of treatment and therapy and an intervention plan that is tailored to address specific needs. […]
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