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Support for Families Connected to Autism
Families can have similar interests and concerns as educators. They also have needs that focus on life outside of school. Autism is not something that just affects an individual child. It is something that changes the dynamics for a whole family. This department focuses on information specifically related to family issues.
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Autism: how are the siblings doing?
Laura Shumaker
When people learn my son Matthew has two younger brothers that are "normal", they're curious. How has having a brother like Matthew has affected them? "They'll be better people for it," say well-meaning friends and family. While their words are meant to comfort and encourage me, they imply that tough times are . . .
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Considering Residential Living for Children with Autism
Sister Jeannette Murray
Although similarities exist, no two children with autism spectrum disorders are the same, thus their educational needs should be addressed on an individual basis, particularly when residential care comes into view. As parents make decisions about the education of their child with autism, they must consider many factors. First, the IEP team (including parents, counselors, teachers, support staff and any other pertinent individuals having knowledge of the child) must determine whether a public school classroom and related services can meet the child's needs. Observations of the child and formal and informal assessments may also . . .
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Tips on Developing Affection in Children with Autism: A Dad's Perspective
Emerson Donnell III
For fathers coming home from work and find it impossible to connect with their autistic child, it can typically be the straw that breaks the family's back. Now an autism expert and parent shares tips of how to develop affection in autistic children. Where most children will greet Daddy with a hug or a smile, many autistic children aren't capable of the normal affectionate interactions that keep a family intact. As Dad walks in, his son is busy lining up his toys or engrossed in the spinning wheels of an overturned toy truck. Dad calls his name over and over in hopes of those bright eyes and wide mouth to come running to him with open arms, but to no avail. He even gets down on his knees in a desperate attempt for some eye contact, but his son turns away and even pushes off his father's touch with disturbing grunts. Emerson B. Donnell III lived that experience every day . . .
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Letting Billy Go
Polly Tommey
the matron as I left and tried to say, "Look after him". . .but I couldn't speak. I made it to the car and cried. I was totally unprepared for such an overwhelming feeling of . . .
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Addressing Family Concerns About the Use of Visual Strategies in Children with ASD
Linda Hodgdon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
The Mom sat intently in my workshop. I watched the distressed look on her face during most of the program. When I was done speaking, she came up and asked to talk to me. We sat down for a while and chatted. Mom understood the concept of using visual strategies. That was not her question. Her concern was that she felt like it was a "life sentence" for her son. She was afraid to use visual strategies with her son because then he would become dependent on them and he would not grow up to be a "normal" adult. . . .
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Summer Activities for Children with Autism to Do At Home
Do you ever have those days where you need something to do? Here are some ideas to get you started. |image1|Pick out some good family summer activities. Find a picture to represent each one and put them on the refrigerator or in a special place. Those pictures will create a menu of possible activities. That menu will help you and your child plan your days. It will help you remember to select different activities. The picture menu will help your child make choices and let you know which activities are most desirable. . . .
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Tips for Helping Parents of Autistic Children Incorporate Visual Strageties
QUESTION: What are your best strategies to get parents involved using visual strategies? ANSWER: Parents need to understand the communication needs and challenges of their children. One of the difficulties they face is that they get lots of different information from lots of different people. Sometimes they get conflicting theories and solutions thrown at them and their job is to sort it all out. Keeping that in mind, there are four things I have found very helpful. 1. Be a good listener. That will help you understand where they are at in this journey of autism. . . .
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Teaching Appropriate Restaurant Behavior to Special Needs Children
Linda Hodgdon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
Do you have a favorite restaurant? Go out to eat very often? We certainly have become a "dining out" society. Drive through, sit down, buffet or fancy menu. There are lots of possibilities. Teaching students to enjoy meals out can give a family more options. Unfortunately, dining out requires some skills that students may have difficulty with. Making choices, waiting, handling unpredictable menus and tolerating busy, noisy environments can be challenging. Inappropriate behavior may turn a special event into a nightmare. . . .
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I use information from Autism Family Online in my practice. I often tell parents about your website because I know they’ll find reliable information that will give them practical suggestions for helping their children.
Howard Elandt, Psychologist
Your website has been a huge help for me. My students have very different needs and I have downloaded great pictures to use with them. The articles have helped me deal with challenging behaviors.
Kim Renshaw, SLP
Autism Family Online helped me so much. As a parent, it empowers me to find information that I can really use. I printed some choice board pictures and then used them right away. My son loved them.
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