As parents of children on the spectrum, one of the questions that therapists and physicians constantly ask is if our children have “good eye contact.” This phrase is so very general and somewhat misleading as an important symptom and characteristic of Autism. Eye contact is important, but not the way most people understand. My son … Continue reading The Importance Of Eye Contact For Autistic Children
For many children on the spectrum who receive Occupational Therapy, a Sensory Diet is often suggested to implement into a daily schedule. It’s a weird phrase for relatively complex theory, so let me break it down. When you wake up in the morning, you have a routine. Maybe you hit snooze a few times (or … Continue reading What Is A Sensory Diet
(photo credit: Bia) Every challenge, every stim, every meltdown we have worked through and helped my son learn how to feel comfortable with himself and the world around him. Sometimes, a few weeks or months after we have worked through a challenge, it would suddenly reappear. Then I fear regression. I feel like all our … Continue reading No Man Ever Steps In The Same River Twice.
“But he doesn’t look Autistic.” The phrase that stings the most. This phrase bothers me so much. I’ve heard it a lot since my son was diagnosed. These five words could have several meanings so I’ve decided to explore each one in hopes to break my emotional ties. This meaning often insinuates skepticism. It’s as … Continue reading “But He Doesn’t Look Autistic”
The fear of food is very real to our children. When my son was about 9 months old, we started feeding him baby puree. He was doing pretty good accepting different flavors, until we introduced the dreaded Stage 3 puree! The mix of textures and potent smells sent my son’s gag reflex into a rage … Continue reading You Don’t Have To Eat That
I live in a tiny home, but we need a lot of supplies for my son’s sensory routines. So what do with do with bins of rice and play-doh and beans and kinetic sand? We stored all of these bins in a closet and created an activity photo library. This way, my house stays organized, … Continue reading Create An Activity Photo Library
*crowd gasps* With the rise in technology and accessibility, most of our homes are filled with video devices. We have TVs, tablets, iPads, smart phones, computers, and touch screen everything. Although there has not been any conclusive studies, early educators and medical professionals are pointing fingers at the abundance of these devices for the cause … Continue reading That’s Right, I Let My Kid Watch TV
Reading is so important. It develops listening skills and models conversations. As parents of children on the spectrum, we try to make life as easy as possible for our children. They desperately need routine so we try to make accommodations to keep them happy and keep their world calm and safe. One of the hardest … Continue reading Flexibility 101: Reading
The animals didn't even make the list! LOL We’ve been to the Bronx Zoo with our son a few times in the past, none of which have been very successful trips. Each time he seemed very scattered, very serious, and was not interested in looking at any animals. Although he would repeat “animal zoo”, as … Continue reading My Sensory Son’s Top 10 Favorite Things At The Zoo
My little boy, you are growing up so fast. I try to hang on and let you grow in sweet balance. Your baby cheeks and dimples remind me of how little you once were, and how that time feels so long ago. I want you to explore the world, to make new friends, to learn … Continue reading When You Hold My Hand
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