Understanding Selective Eating Having a selective eater can be one very difficult aspect of having a child with autism. One of the diagnostic criteria for autism is restrictive and repetitive behaviors and interests. Eating the same foods is an example of this. Autistic children are 5 times more likely than neurotypical children to exhibit challenging meal time behaviors (Autism Speaks). This includes narrow food selections, ritualistic behaviors around food and temper …
Antecedent Behavior analysts try to identify what triggers a behavior and what consequences keep a behavior going. An antecedent is what happens before a specific behavior. Analysts view the immediate environment as the major cause of behavior. This includes the setting, people, objects, events and so much more that is going on around us all …
So often we hear Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) generalized as autism, but what else is on the spectrum? ASD is considered a spectrum disorder because there is such an array of symptoms that can be demonstrated in several different ways with varying severity. The American Psychiatric Association’s DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) for mental health disorders was …
The holiday time is already stressful and overwhelming; add a special needs child into the mix, and you’re at a whole other level. We’ve collected our favorite holiday tips to help you through the season. Remember each child is different, so what works for one child may not work for another, but definitely try as many as you can! Take …
A Better Understanding Up to 80% of children with autism have at least one chronic sleep problem [Autism Speaks]. Insomnia is the biggest sleep disorder in children with autism. Children with autism suffer from insomnia almost twice as much as typically developing children. According to one study, “The spectrum of sleep disturbances [in people with …
Navigating an autism diagnosis is difficult enough, let alone trying to explain it to your children. When talking about autism with your child, use age-appropriate words and concepts. For example, you children may be worried about their sibling’s unusual behaviors impacting their own life, while adolescents may be concerned with what their friends may think, …
Echolalia is the repetition of others’ words, including family members, teachers, or something someone hears on TV, through music, or other means. It is an adaptive response when a person struggles with saying their own thoughts through speech. Recent research shows that echolalia is often a means of communication. Language Development Most kids use echolalia as a natural way to learn language …
Potty training is a daunting task for any parent. How do you know when it is time to potty train your autistic child? More importantly, how do you do it successfully? Toileting Readiness Checklist Start toileting once your child is demonstrating at least 5-6 of these readiness signs. Find a 2-3 month period where no big changes or …
What’s an IEP? Special education is a free service provided by public schools. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a legal document that every child who receives special education services must have. This guarantees a child’s right to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It is a unique …
Discovering the Magic of ABA. It is big commitment, it takes time, but the payoff can be huge. Analysts are equipped with a giant toolbox of strategies that can be applied to anything – time management, improvements in sports, companies’ operations, training animals, parenting a typically developing child, or parenting kids with developmental disorders, like …