Sensory Overload: How to Recognize and Manage the Symptoms.
Is Sensory Overload really a ‘thing?’ YES. It happens to people with anxiety, autism, ADHD, and other conditions. How to help and prevent sensory overload.
autism
Does your Child have Hyperlexia, Autism, or Gestalt Language Processing? How to Know.
When your child is diagnosed with a specific learning disability, or you suspect a disability of some kind, many words are thrown at you. Until…
The Autism Epilepsy Connection: My Son’s Brain Surgery
Can preventing seizures alter the course of autism? Delicate lines dance across a screen mounted on the wall of the operating room. Their peaks and…
What are Echolalia and Autistic Scripting?
Does your child repeat back words to you, often? Are they repeating words and phrases over and over? Or maybe reciting movie and TV lines?…
10 Best Visual Timers for Kids with Autism or ADHD
Does your child benefit from a visual reinforcer? Then take a look at these online and other visual timers for kids who have sensory needs.
What is Hyperfixation? How do You Stop Being Hyperfixated on things?
Hyperfixation Lots of teens love video games. Everyone knows that. And many teens, autistic or neurotypical, play video games too often, which can interfere with…
What are Age-Appropriate Interests for a Developmentally Disabled or Autistic Adult?
Autism and Age-Appropriate Interests “Who gets to decide what is an age-appropriate interest for a disabled or autistic child?” This is an issue that has…
How to Build a Meaningful IEP for Autism (PDF Sample IEP for Autism with Goals)
IEP for Autism For almost 10 years, readers have been asking me questions about an IEP and autism. It’s quite common in our chat forums…
What is Self Regulation? 18 IEP Goals and Accommodations for Self-Regulation Skills
Emotional self-regulation is a necessary executive functioning skill that all kids need to develop. Some will require direct instruction.
7 Audiologist-Recommended Noise Cancelling Headphones for Autism, ADHD, or Anxiety
These cool noise-cancelling headphones can help with Autism or ADHD focus issues, avoid sensory overload and reduce stress. Decibel ratings too.
15 Best Sensory Toys for Adults
Here are some reader-recommended sensory toys for adults, including those with disabilities like autism, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities.
50 Best Teacher and OT Recommended Toys for Autism
A Special Education Teacher, OT, and others share their recommendations for the best toys for autistic and disabled children; plus how to use them effectively.
Interoception and your IEP: How to Improve Interoceptive Skills
Interoception and Interoceptive Skills Several years ago, I took my boys up to my Dad’s house. Kevin just walked into the room where we were,…
What is a Sensory Diet? (Examples)
A sensory diet may help a child improve their self-regulation skills. Read how, why, and getting a sensory diet added to your child’s IEP.
15 Popular Fiction Books with Autistic or Disabled Main Characters
Great list of fiction books for kids with a character with autism, disabilities or just plain quirky. There are a few suggestions for each age group and ability.
How to Find a Dentist for Kids with Autism
Just because a dentist says they serve the disability population doesn’t mean that they serve all kids. Questions to ask and what to know about restraints.
Autism, ADHD and Daylight Savings Time: Small Time Change, Huge Disruption
How to Successfully Manage Daylight Savings Time in the Neurodivergent Household: Autism | ADHD | Tips for Managing this stressful week (or weeks!)
Crossing the Midline: 12 Activities for Adults and Older Kids
Crossing midline is often a skill that teams stop working on once the child hits tween years. But if your teen or adult needs the skill, here are some activities to practice crossing midline.
IEP Transition Goals Bank: Developing Meaningful Goals beyond “Food, Filth and Flowers.”
Parents, you need to take ownership of the IEP transition goals and process for your child. Here’s how to start.
Legal Guardianship for Adults | How to Get Guardianship for Adults with Disabilities
There are many different options for Parents of Disabled Adults, including guardianship, conservatorship, supported decision making and POA.
Best Indoor Water Park in Pennsylvania: Travel Tips for Kalahari Resort in Poconos
Kalahari Water Park and Resort in the Poconos is definitely the best indoor waterpark in Pennsylvania. Here is a sensory friendly travel review.
Not All Hand Flapping is Autism | The Case for Stimming
Hand Flapping when Excited That is not Autism Let’s just get this out there–everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY stims. Yes, we all do it. But…
10 Best Fidget Toys | Where to Buy Cheap Fidget Toys for School
Best Fidget Toys I recently participated in a local consignment sale. My youngest son had quite the collection of fidget spinners. That was a short-lived…
How to Get Your Autistic Child to Try New Foods (written by an autistic person!)
A dangerous, yet common, misconception in regard to autistic kids is that they will eat if they’re hungry enough. The reality is that hunger, appetite…
5 Popular Stim Toys for Autism or ADHD | Cheap | DIY | Chew
Stim Toys Quality stim toys can be hard to find, since fidget toys and chewy jewelry, or chewelry, is trendy. Even the higher priced ones…
How to Redirect Self Injurious Behavior | Autism
Self Injurious Behavior and Autism Self-injurious autistic behaviors do not illustrate why stimming, or self-regulatory behaviors, are bad. Stimming is harmless by default and crucial…
Autistic Shutdowns
You might have heard about autistic meltdowns, but what about autistic shutdowns? The two terms are often used interchangeably by non-autistic autism professionals, but autism…
Liar
When your Child Lies As I often begin many articles, I state “this has been coming up in the Facebook group a lot lately.” And,…
Free Visual Schedule Templates for Autism | Picture Schedules for Home Activities | PDF
Visual Schedules and Autism How stressed out are you by daily routines? What about your kids? I mean, it’s something that we do, as a…
The Many Flaws of School FBAs and Behavior Plans
FBAs and Behavior Plans FBAs and Behavior Plans are a common component of IEPs. And, after 12 years of advocacy, I’m seeing the same issues…
Poop Smearing | Causes | Solutions | Autism
Feces Smearing One of the most unpleasant parts of parenting is the gross stuff we sometimes have to encounter. It starts out fine, right? A…
ADHD and Sleep Issues | Best Tips for Everyone to Get a Good Night’s Rest
ADHD and Sleep Have you ever walked into your child’s room to find them sleeping on the floor? I mean, you put them in bed,…
Following Directions and Learning Disabilities | Accommodations and Strategies for School and Home
Following Directions Many people — kids and adults — have trouble following directions. They don’t seem to “listen” when they’re asked to do a task, whether it’s…
For Parents: Receptive Language vs Expressive Language Disorder | Receptive vs Express Language Skills and Strategies | IEP Goals
Receptive vs Expressive Language If your child is being evaluated for Early Intervention or Special Education Services, you may be introduced to the terms ‘receptive…
How to Make Sensory Bottles | DIY | Benefits | Uses
Making Sensory Bottles Sensory Bottles or Calm Down Bottles are a huge trend right now. And why not? They are great for all ages and…
Amazon Echo for Disabilities | 8 Alexa Uses for Disabled People | Autism
Amazon Echo for Disabled People Look, I love reading to my kids. But the thing is, it is never enough for them. One book or…
Best Apps for Autism | Speech | Social Skills
Autism Apps It’s kind of hard to remember life without tablets and smartphones, but it did exist. When the iPad was introduced a little over…
Educational Autism | What’s the difference between a Medical and a School Diagnosis of Autism?
Educational Autism I’m sure if this has happened to you, it sure felt like a gaslighting moment. You have a child. The child sees various…
25 Amazingly Awesome Dolls with Disabilities | Disability Awareness | Action Figures
Dolls with Disabilities Kids need dolls and toys that resemble them. Sure, it’s great to have toys that you aspire to be, like an astronaut…
10 Apps for Emotion Regulation and Social Interactions | Social Skills | Free
Social and Emotion Regulation Apps Did you know that there are apps that can help your child rehearse for social situations? Or help them learn…
When Autism Awareness Materials are Ableist | Why I loathe April.
When “Awareness” is Ableist. Last week, I did a post about a video that was going viral. I said then, and still think, that it’s…
{Autism Safety} Products, Kits and Tips to Keep Your Child Safe.
Autism Safety I want my son to increase his fine motor skills. I do not, however, want him to be able to unbuckle a seatbelt….
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