Autism
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction,
verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behavior.
Featured Child
This is Adam
From the time Adam wakes to the hour he sleeps again, his day presents him with successes to experience and challenges to overcome.
Featured Articles for Autism
Fostering Emotional Connections with Your Child Who Has Autism
As the parent of a child with ASD, you experience the love and connection with your child in ways that are different, but are no less important and valuable. By learning techniques that suit your child’s needs, you are helping them to reach their full potential and giving yourself the opportunity to experience that emotional connection.
Navigating “The Cliff”: When Your Child with Autism Grows Up
When a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder grows up they are faced with new challenges. Learn more about how you can navigate through these and obtain your child's bright future.
The Emotional Turmoil Surrounding Extremely Aggressive and Violent Behavior in Your Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Parenting is always a journey that you can only try to be fully prepared for; however, parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can require an entirely different set of preparations. If you are the parent of a child with ASD, remember: you’re not alone—there are many options available for help.
Latest Articles for Autism
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Stop, Think, and Don’t React: Encouraging Parents to Be Proactive – Instead of Reactive or Confrontative – During Times of Conflict
Written By: Rebecca Thomas | Resource Creation By Bridget Morton | Design By Sunny DiMartinoParents may often find themselves resorting to ultimatums, threats of punishment, removing privileges, or simply throwing up their hands when their child with special needs is having a meltdown and exhibits demanding or irrational behavior. Before exercising rigid authority, which often worsens challenging behavior, parents can instead use personal coping strategies to help themselves stay centered and focused so they remain calm in the face of conflict and, in turn, help their child become more calm as well.
The Sometimes Long and Winding Road to an Individualized Education Program
Written By Geoff Campbell | Resource Creation By Bridget Morton | Design By Sunny DiMartinoMaintaining an open line of communication with parents is important and often difficult, even in the best of circumstances. This is especially true when a struggling student is being evaluated for a possible disability—and an IEP—and a teacher’s continued updates throughout the process can provide worried parents with much-needed reassurance.
When Children with Special Needs Have Siblings
Written By: Geoff Campbell | Resource Creation By: Bridget Morton | Design By: Sunny DiMartinoParents may often feel
challenged when raising a child with special needs. But when there are other
children in the family and that special-needs child has a sibling, parents often
feel even greater stress when trying to give both children the time, support,
and attention they need.
Returning to Safety: Understanding and Reducing Self-Injurious Behavior
Written By: Julie Wallach | Resource Creation By: Bridget Morton | Design By: Sunny DiMartinoA seven-year-old girl's increasingly extreme self-injurious behavior requires understanding, thoughtful solutions, and careful planning. After a very challenging period of time, Lyla* receives the adult understanding, special education, and therapeutic care she needs to keep herself safe from her own harm.
When Helping Can Hurt: Parent Enabling of Children with Special Needs
Written By: Agata Antonow | Resource Creation By: Bridget Morton | Design By: Sunny DiMartinoAll parents want to help their children, and that can be especially true of parents who have children with special needs. Unfortunately, doing too much for your child may mean that they don’t learn some of the basic life skills they’ll need later in life.
Tracking the Clues: Using Functional Behavioral Assessment to Help Kids with Special Needs
Written By: Agata Antonow | Resource Creation By: Bridget Morton | Design By: Sunny DiMartinoSometimes, children with special needs exhibit behaviors that seem random and are difficult to understand, leaving parents with the difficult task of figuring out what they mean and how to respond. In these situations, a set of tools known as Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) can help. Many parents have not heard of FBA, but counselors and therapists use this approach to systematically gather specific data about behaviors and decide on the appropriate intervention. FBA strategies can also be used in the home by parents struggling to understand specific behavior problems—and how to address them.