Want to know how to get your child with autism into their fall coat? Maybe you are taking a trip, and want to know how to make it a smooth experience. Or maybe you are a parent on the spectrum. This section contains all blogs and articles dealing with the subject of autism, ASD and parenting.
The arrival of summer means more time outdoors enjoying the warm weather and longer days. Ensuring the safety of autistic children requires extra attention because of difficulty with communication, social interaction, and sensory needs which can increase the risk of accidents or unsafe situations. While the neighborhood, parks, and local community spaces may be well known, there are still things…
Screen time is a part of everyday life. For autistic individuals, devices can provide great opportunities for connection, learning, exploring interests or deep dives into passions, and communication without pressure. Screens can help with regulation by offering a sense of safety and predictability in an overwhelming and unpredictable world. Technology can support executive functioning with online calendars and planners or…
School is a demanding, busy, stimulating, and noisy place. While in school, the constant demands on the nervous system can leave an autistic child feeling mentally and emotionally drained from everything they’ve had to deal with throughout the day – in other words, dysregulated. When the nervous system is regulated, the brain and body are more in harmony, in control,…
Prompts can be used by anyone who is teaching or showing another person a new skill or task. They are additional cues which are delivered following an instruction, designed to help a person learn what the appropriate response is in a certain situation. Prompts are teaching tools that support efficient learning and lower frustration. They also support errorless learning by…
The Christmas holidays are a time of great excitement and anticipation. Holidays also mean changes in routines, visitors, crowds, line-ups, noise, bright lights, and socializing. For many autistic children and adults, the Christmas holidays can be a stressful and anxious time as well as taxing on sensory sensitivities. Meeting family demands can be especially nerve-wracking, particularly if you want to…
Nearly 62 million people worldwide have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While the exact causes of autism are not known, it’s understood there are numerous factors that can be involved. Our understanding of ASD comes from scientific research and listening to people with lived experience. Autism is a part of neurodiversity – a unique expression of humanity full of unique challenges…
Elopement refers to the act of leaving a designated area without permission, supervision, or the knowledge of those responsible for the individual. In the context of autism, elopement involves autistic individuals wandering away, running or bolting from safe and supervised environments, putting their safety at risk. The Curriculum for Autism lists the following as examples of elopement: Climbing out of…
Exercise and physical activity have numerous benefits for autistic individuals. It builds strength, stability and motor planning skills, all of which help a person perform daily living activities. Autistic people are more likely to experience health and mental health issues; engaging in physical activity reduces these risks and improves overall well-being. Incorporating exercise, movement, and outdoor play can improve a…
I recently had a very upsetting thing happen. My adult autistic son’s daily living and medical benefits were abruptly terminated. I learned of this by hearing a brief message left on my phone. The person from the AISH benefits office said my son no longer met the eligibility criteria for his benefits because his assets amount was too high. We…
Caregiving has its rewards and challenges. While caregiving is a labor of love, it also has another side to it that affects employment, physical/mental health, relationships, and well-being. As we age, we also have to assess how feasible is it to provide support long-term because of retirement, health, and the reality of aging. Caregiving can be all consuming at times,…
The Christmas season is a time of giving and receiving – gift exchanges at school or work, Secret Santa, sharing gifts with family and friends. Gift giving and receiving can be stressful for autistic individuals. Some autistic children find presents overwhelming. Tearing off wrapping paper can be hard for people with fine motor issues. Others might feel anxious about not…
According to Journal of Neurolinguistics, over half of the world’s population is bilingual (people who utilize two languages daily) if not multilingual, speaking 3 or more languages. Some statistics say 43% of the global population is bilingual, 40% is monolingual speaking only one language, and 17% are multilingual speaking several languages. There have been many studies and articles citing the…
The arrival of summer and good weather allows for more time outdoors and being on the go. The school break means changes in the day’s structure and routine and more free time. Summer camps and activities, field trips, a family vacation, and visitors fill the day. Autistic individuals can find these changes and different demands challenging, even if they are…
Summer camps offer a safe and support environment for autistic children to learn, have fun, gain independence, and make new friends. Camps provide an opportunity for outdoor adventure, physical challenge, and a change from the typical daily routines of home or school. The main goal of camps is to create an inclusive and accepting environment where autistic children can develop…
Co-regulation is defined as warm and responsive interactions that provide the support, coaching, and modeling that young children need to understand, express, and module their thoughts, feelings and behaviors (Murray et al 2015, 14). In order for an autistic child to be able to self-regulate, co-regulation has to occur. It is the bridge to self-regulation. Kelly Mahler, OT, explains co-regulation…