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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Binders and Breakdowns: A Mother’s Introduction to the Individualized Education Plan Process
Written By: Julie Wallach | Resource Creation By: Bridget Morton | Design By: Christy BuiAn Individualized Education Plan takes time to create and implement, often requiring a year or more of testing, meetings, and decision-making to determine appropriate educational instruction and supports for a student with special needs. When Angie digs into the process, she learns more about education than she ever thought possible, and wades through bureaucracy, advocating for her son.
Scaling Emotional Hurdles in the Classroom with Emotional Scaling
Written By: Geoff Campbell | Resource Creation By: Bridget Morton | Design By: Christy Bui, Sunny DiMartinoSome children have difficulty understanding their emotions, which can sometimes lead to class-disrupting episodes of anger. By working closely with students and using strategies like emotional scaling, teachers and educators can help students better understand emotions, changes in intensity, and coping strategies, which often leads to increased self-control in the classroom.
Swing Low, Swing High: Parents Moving into Emotional Scaling for their Daughter
Written By: Nancy Yeang | Resource Creation By: Bridget Morton | Design By: Christy Bui, Sunny DiMartinoParents of children with Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) and other trauma and stressor-related disorders try many techniques to mitigate the problems with emotion regulation and aggressive behavior. Emotional scaling can help children with RAD to better understand their emotional experience in order to regulate their emotions and behavior before experiencing outbursts of agitation and aggression.
Through His Eyes: Natural and Logical Consequences at Home
Written By: Nancy Yeang | Resource Creation By: Bridget Morton | Design By: Sunny DiMartinoA father struggles with having his son, who has behavioral issues, understand the consequences of his actions. After a visit with a behavioral counselor, he learns about behavioral strategies, and also finds a window into his son’s world that allows him to better see and understand his perspective.
Helping Students Follow Classroom Expectations and Rules with Collaborative Problem Solving
Written By: Amanda Ronan | Resource Creation By: Bridget Morton | Design By: Sunny DiMartinoCollaborative Problem Solving (CPS) is an effective alternative to delivering negative consequences to students who aren’t consistently following basic classroom rules and expectations. A relationship-based, nonconfrontational approach, CPS helps teachers and students work together to understand everyone’s concerns, then arrive at a mutually beneficial solution.
Collaborative Problem Solving: Parents and Children Working Together to Solve Everyday Problems in the Home
Written By: Rebecca Thomas | Resource Creation By: Bridget Morton | Design By: Sunny DiMartinoParents may often grow frustrated when their child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder becomes increasingly defiant over a necessary daily task, such as teeth brushing, bathing, or getting out of bed in the morning. Before frustration reaches a boiling point, or resorting to punishment, parents can work together with their child to understand and express each other’s concerns and come up with a solution that works for everyone involved.