Forever Love: A Sister of Autism
Having autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is usually associated with disabilities, speech delays, motor skill disabilities, behavioral issues, etc. Although it does entail all those characteristics fairly often, ASD can affect individuals in a plethora of ways. Even though ASD is more common in boys than girls, and the cause remains unknown, ASD has become a […]
Continue readingBenefits, Uses, and Importance of Occupational Therapy for Autism
What is occupational therapy? The role of occupational therapy for autism is to help the child participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. (“About Occupational Therapy,” 2019) Occupational therapy takes a holistic approach to the client’s wellbeing. It addresses the physical, psychological, and cognitive aspects […]
Continue readingAutism Myths vs Autism Facts
While the term autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been used by scientists and doctors for decades, we don’t have all the answers surrounding this developmental disability. Finding the advice and support autism families need can be challenging as there is a lot of inconsistent information and technical progress can be slow. To understand autism and […]
Continue readingBest Sensory Room Ideas for Children with Autism
What is a sensory room? A sensory room or sensory integration room is designed to provide calm, focus, and comfort to people with sensory processing problems, which often includes people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, known as DSM-5, mentions the atypical response to specific […]
Continue readingBetter 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 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 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 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 readingThe Best Autism Therapies and Solutions
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. […]
Continue readingSimple Ways to Help Kids with Autism Develop Hand Skills
I learned almost 30 years ago that my extremely fussy baby grew calmer when cocooned tightly inside my arms as we swayed side to side. Back then, I had not yet heard about his neurologically-based disorder known as Asperger’s syndrome (part of the autism spectrum), which is associated with sensory sensitivities and social and communication […]
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