Search Results for Meltdowns

Prader-Willi Syndrome: It’s Not Just the Number on the Scale

Written By: Alison Hennessee | Resource Creation By: Bridget Morton | Design By: Sunny DiMartino
Prader-Willi Syndrome: It’s Not Just the Number on the Scale

Parents of children with Prader Willi syndrome begin preparing for the food-related challenges associated with this disorder from day one. With a wealth of PWS literature on how to handle the constant food-seeking behaviors, parents learn to lock cupboards, manage meals, and limit pocket money. But other, less-discussed characteristics of PWS, particularly extreme and sometimes violent behavioral problems, can be just as difficult to handle. In this article, you’ll read about the challenges that Natalie faces as a result of her son Jason’s meltdowns and learn some strategies for handling these episodes.

My Child with High-Functioning Autism Doesn’t Look Like Yours

Written By: Pamela DeLoatch | Resource Creation By: Bridget Morton | Design By: Analee G. Paz, Sunny DiMartino
My Child with High-Functioning Autism Doesn’t Look Like Yours

Why does one child with Autism behave differently from another child with the same disability? While the neurospectrum disorder can cause social, communication and behavioral changes, from mild to severe, the impact of Autism is magnified when a second (or more) disability is involved. Read on to find out how parents can understand and help a child challenged by Autism, in addition to other chronic disorders.

Loving Your Child—No Matter What They Do

Written By: Pamela DeLoatch | Resource Creation By: Leeann Sanders | Illustrations By: Nathan Lueth | Design By: Sunny DiMartino
Loving Your Child—No Matter What They Do

There are countless books on parenting, but nothing fully prepares you to be the parent of YOUR child. Every child is different, every situation is different, and every day can be different than the last. For parents of children with special needs, this is surely the case. There is no manual for how to handle meltdowns, rage episodes, and aggressive behavior and there is no clear cut answer to how you should FEEL about your children during these times of struggle.

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 DiMartino
 Stop, Think, and Don’t React: Encouraging Parents to Be Proactive – Instead of Reactive or Confrontative – During Times of Conflict

Parents 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.

Caring for a Child with ASD: Beyond Isolation and Confinement

Written By: Amanda Ronan | Resource Creation By: Keli McNeill | Design By: Sunny DiMartino, Christy Bui, Nathan Lueth
Caring for a Child with ASD: Beyond Isolation and Confinement

Parents with children on the Autism Spectrum often feel isolated from their community. Very often good friends and even close family members stop visiting the home, inviting the family out or calling and checking in. On top of what parents are dealing with in order to get the right diagnosis and treatment plans for their child, parents feel confined to their homes and alone in their journey.

Fostering Emotional Connections with Your Child Who Has Autism

Written By: Amanda Ronan | Resource Creation By: Bridget Morton | Design By: Christy Bui, Nathan Lueth, Sunny DiMartino
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.

The Emotional Turmoil Surrounding Extremely Aggressive and Violent Behavior in Your Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Written By: Amanda Ronan | Podcast Editing and Voiceover By: Heather Haynes | Design By: Sunny DiMartino
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.

When Your Child with Asperger's Disorder is Bullied

Written By: Pamela DeLoatch | Resource Creation By: Keli McNeill | Design By: Sunny DiMartino, Christy Bui, Nathan Lueth
When Your Child with Asperger's Disorder is Bullied

It's not just about your child being picked last for the kickball game or not making new friends at school, it's about the derogatory comments towards your child from other children or the lack of empathy from the adults in his/her life. Finding the right tools to help your child with Asperger's and Autism Spectrum Disorder and educating those who interact with your child, will help lead you all down a path towards a bright future for your child.

Choosing Out-of-Home Care for Your Child with Prader-Willi Syndrome

Written By: Alison Hennessee | Resource Creation By: Bridget Morton | Designed By: Sunny DiMartino, Christy Bui, Nathan Lueth
Choosing Out-of-Home Care for Your Child with Prader-Willi Syndrome

It's only normal for parents to want to be everything to their children. That's a tall order for any parent, but when your child has Prader Willi Syndrome, "everything" is more than any one person can be. Read about how one parent learned that letting experts help manage his son's disorder give him the chance to focus on being a father.

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 DiMartino
Tracking the Clues: Using Functional Behavioral Assessment to Help Kids with Special Needs

Sometimes, 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.

When Children with Special Needs Have Siblings

Written By: Geoff Campbell | Resource Creation By: Bridget Morton | Design By: Sunny DiMartino
When Children with Special Needs Have Siblings

Parents 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.