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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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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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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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Caity's Mom Experiences Separation Anxiety
Marianne Bryant
I am writing this now to prevent myself from sitting down and eating an entire container of Blue Belle Ice-Cream at 10:00 a.m. I just left Caity at the high school for the big trip to the University of South Florida and the yearbook workshop. She will be there for . . .
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Autism Transition Tool Kit
The Autism Speaks Transition Tool Kit is created to help families and their adolescents with autism more smoothly navigate the challenging transition into adulthood. . . .
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What I Believe and What I Know
Susan Levy
I really enjoyed being Jacob's Mom when he was a small child. I was fortunate that at the time, my business was successful and I was able to work on my own schedule. We spent quality time together doing a lot of kid-oriented activities. Things changed when he was about 7 when the business started to tank. I'd soon have to find employment that allowed me to work full-time and to also still be Jacob's primary caregiver, and it wasn't easy. But in his early years, . . .
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People are Invading My Home Plan
Tahirih Bushey M.A. C.C.C.
First of all, like all difficult moments, it is better if one has a plan predetermined so I would suggest making a plan with your child before people come to visit your home. If caught unprepared, however, one more step will be needed (see below). In this case, the plan is for a verbal child who can read--the plan would need to include pictures (hand drawn, line drawings would be fine as the pictures are just to remind your child of the various steps.) Sit down with your child and tell him or her that people will be coming to visit. If you know . . .
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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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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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Howard Elandt, Psychologist
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