Winter brings with it a magical opportunity for children to engage in sensory play, especially with snow as the main attraction. For neurodivergent children, this isn’t just about having fun–it’s about exploring and discovering their environment in ways that promote development and sensory integration. Snow offers a unique sensory experience, activating the tactile, vestibular, proprioceptive, …
Every parent wants their home to be a safe and comfortable place for their child. But when your child is autistic, safety concerns can look a little different. Sensory-seeking behaviors, fixations, and challenges with recognizing danger can make everyday household items and spaces riskier than you might expect. The good news? With a few thoughtful …
How to Make Your Home Safe For Your Child with Autism Read More »
A good night’s sleep is essential for every child, but for children on the autism spectrum, falling asleep and staying asleep can be a challenge well past those first years. In fact, research estimates that between 40% and 80% of children with autism struggle with sleep-related issues, including difficulty falling asleep, restless sleep, independent sleep, …
4 Tips for Safe Sleep for Your Child on the Autism Spectrum Read More »
As a parent, you know how deeply you want your child to feel confident and comfortable in social settings. For children with autism, though, social interactions often bring unique challenges that can feel overwhelming. These struggles go beyond making friends with peers; they extend to everyday interactions like reading social cues, greeting others, and navigating …
What Are the Benefits of Social Skills Programs for Children with Autism? Read More »
As a parent, it’s common to notice that your child might be selective about food. It’s also something we are asked about all the time, as struggles with mealtime are extremely prevalent in the autism community. Many children go through a phase of picky eating, especially during their toddler years, but it’s important to recognize …
Food Aversions vs. “Picky Eating”: What’s the Difference? Read More »
Halloween is an exciting time of year. There are imaginative costumes, fun decorations, and plenty of sweet treats! Every weekend seems to just fill up with hayrides, pumpkin picking, and harvest festivals. If your child is on the autism spectrum, and has sensitivities to unexpected changes, unfamiliar textures, and intense stimuli, these festivities may also …
How to Prepare Your Autistic Child for Halloween Read More »
Remember the days when you could make a quick stop to the grocery store after work? Maybe you would stroll slowly through the aisles, pondering what to make for dinner, listening to a favorite podcast. Of course, we know when kids enter the picture this ideal grocery store trip often becomes a thing of the …
5 Tips to Navigate Shopping with Your Autistic Child Read More »
It’s a common experience of a parent with a child with autism when surrounded by neurotypical children: wishing your child would separate and join their peers, anxiety over potential behaviors, and wondering how this idea of “play” just seems to come so naturally for other kids. Navigating social interactions at the playground, at parties, and …
Before parents even think about how to tell their child about their autism diagnosis, many parents come to us asking if they even should. They have understandable concerns that their child might feel “broken” or use the diagnosis as an excuse not to strive. They may feel different from their peers in a negative way, …
5 Tips on How to Tell Your Child About Their Autism Diagnosis Read More »
Ever found yourself checking the menu before stopping at a restaurant to peek at the kid’s menu? Throwing some macaroni in your bag to take to a big family get-together? Bought a very specific type of chicken nugget in bulk when you saw it at the store? Navigating mealtime with a child on the autism …
6 Tips for a More Relaxing Mealtime with a Child on the Autism Spectrum Read More »