Here’s the REAL world for many families. . . .quotes from moms who are trying hard to keep everything together. “Am I the only one who loses it? My son is eight. I try so hard to be patient but after asking him ten times to do something I start yelling. I just get so […]
The answer to a question on a survey for parents of students on the autism spectrum was disturbing. More than 50% of them said their child had no friends outside of school. Yes, disturbing. Another child on the spectrum I wrote about recently wrote on a school paper that he had no friends. It […]
There was an internet article that recently made it to my Facebook page. A Dad had a reality check when he saw his autistic son’s schoolwork. The question was “Who are your friends?” Son answered “No one.” I’m not sure if Dad was shocked. . .saddened. . .or maybe perplexed by this announcement. I wonder […]
I’ll bet you’ve heard the question, “How do you eat an elephant?” Of course, the answer is, “One bite at a time.” Next question. “How do you achieve success with your students with autism or ADHD or others with “wiggle” challenges?” The answer is, “There’s not just one answer.” Have you ever played this game? […]
Summer can feel long for families who have children with autism. The regular routines of the school year are gone, so there can be lots of time to fill. This is a perfect season to plan special activities and create new learning and play opportunities. Doing something that is not part of everyday life captures […]
It’s common to identify social needs as a prime area for educational intervention for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), but there isn’t consensus about what social skills are. Before determining HOW to teach, it’s critical to decide WHAT to teach. What areas need to be considered? Core Skills for Social Development Here are three […]
Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are sometimes identified by eye contact. . .or rather lack of it. But that eye contact thing causes confusion. I was speaking at a workshop recently where a participant expressed concern. She was talking about a student who learned to look at people. Therefore, some people were saying the […]
The last month has been tagged as Autism Awareness Month. I remember the days when few people knew what autism was. Now it’s different. More people hear about it. When I talk with people about my professional connection with ASD, I frequently hear that they know about someone on the spectrum or they have a […]
Celesta is three. Her baby sister three months. I was fixing lunch and watching them in the family room just a few feet away. Celesta walked to the baby in the swing and leaned over really close to the infant’s face. She raised her hands to look like claws and growled really loud. Of course, […]
I recently had the pleasure of babysitting for David who is 16 months. If you don’t have a toddler of your own, you MUST do this! Ten to eighteen months is the perfect age range. Trust me. Find someone with a child in this age range, offer to provide child care and send mom out […]
