Autism

IEP hacks to ensure your kid gets the best accommodations

If your child has an IEP, you need these IEP hacks for your next meeting. What is an IEP? Essentially, IEP is an acronym that stands for Individualized Education Program, or Individualized Education Plan. IEPs are designed to support kids who learn and think differently. An IEP can do wonders for a child with autism…

Purposeful play: The seven things you must do with your infant that have an impact on autism

Could I have prevented autism in my son at an early age? Probably not. Could I have boosted his development positively through purposeful play? Absolutely! An easy baby. A VERY easy baby, you might say. He slept predictably, kept a very rigid schedule, and didn’t really seem to need a lot of interaction. In fact,…

Eye contact and autism: the importance of face attention

“Look at me when I’m talking to you.” How many times do we say this sentence as parents, hoping our child will retain the information we’re giving them? This is true, certainly, with typically-developing kids, but eye contact and autism are equally, if not more, important. Importance of eye contact and face attention:  To develop…

Seeking therapy options for teens and kids: what you need to know

Whether your kid already has a diagnosis, or you’re just starting down this road, therapy options for teens and kids can seem endless, but at the same time, also nearly impossible to find! How is that possible? Well, put on your mom or dad superperson cape, because seeking therapy for your teen or child is…

What is stimming? And why and when we need to stop stimming

What is stimming? Hand-flapping, rocking, spinning, and flicking. Stimming is a big topic in the autism world, in fact, stimming is probably the most recognizable trait of autism and the thing that people think about most when they think about autism. It’s also the thing that neurotypical people mess up the most about autism. The…

autism and rewards

When to embrace an official diagnosis of autism (and when to delay it)

You might think that the sooner you accept and embrace an official diagnosis of autism, the better. After all, knowledge is power, and the sooner you know, the sooner you can get your child the help and services needed. But knowledge does not have to be tied to a label, and there are circumstances in…