How many times do you say, “how was your day today?”, and get the reply, “good”?, A LOT right!!? I honestly get tired of hearing myself say this day after day.
Read more on 6 New Ways To Ask About Your Child’s Day…
How many times do you say, “how was your day today?”, and get the reply, “good”?, A LOT right!!? I honestly get tired of hearing myself say this day after day.
Read more on 6 New Ways To Ask About Your Child’s Day…
THROUGH THEIR EYES: A PANEL OF SIBLINGS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM
JANUARY 6 AUTISM SOCIETY MEETING
It is estimated that more than 3.5 million Americans have an autism spectrum disorder (Buescher et al., 2014). Many of these individuals have typically developing brothers and/or sisters. Being the brother or sister of a person with autism is seen by some as a good thing, for others a not-so-good thing, and for many, somewhere in between. Siblings will often have the longest-lasting relationship with an individual who has a disability – one that could easily exceed 65 years. Throughout their lives, these brothers and sisters will share many – if not most – of the same concerns that parents of children with autism experience, as well as issues that are uniquely theirs.
Join us on Friday evening, January 6 to hear and learn from the experts themselves, a panel of local siblings, as they share their unique perspective on life growing up as a brother or sister to an individual with autism. Siblings will answer questions from the moderator and, if time allows, will take questions from the audience.
This presentation is appropriate for parents and providers, as well as siblings in grades 3 through adulthood. Learn more and register at https://ascvsiblings.eventbrite.com
Read more on THROUGH THEIR EYES: A PANEL OF SIBLINGS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM…
Goose’s Story by Cari Best
When a girl and her dog greet the geese as they return in the spring, she discovers one of the geese is missing a foot. The other geese shun the injured goose at first, and the girl’s parents warn her not to interfere. But the girl feels compelled to watch out for her. One day the goose is gone. After worrying all winter, the girl and her dog discover the goose with one foot has returned … with her new mate.
Read more on Monthly Book Column , Books About Kids With Special Needs…
Goods and Bads of Autism
Hello, Internet! Cole here. Recently, I realized that perhaps it would be prudent to discuss my Asperger’s more thoroughly, since that is the main subject of the blog. I haven’t really talked about Autism very much for a variety of reasons, instead focusing on things like 11-page stories about bees. This month, though, I’d like to bring things back on track a bit. I discussed my condition a bit about a year ago when I first started this “sub-blog”; now, I plan on fleshing things out a little more.
Read more on Cole’s Corner. Goods and Bads of Autism, From Someone Living With It…
With a New Year comes the chance to reexamine, relook and rethink the things we do daily. Much of what we do for our kids may not have a lot of wiggle room, so we must reinvent our schedules a little. Here are the ideas I have come up with:
Read more on 9 New Year Resolutions For Parents of Special Needs Children…
I wanted to take a minute to wish you all a Happy Holiday!. It’s Christmas Eve and Hanukkah, it is nice to have the holidays starting on the same day, it brings me a feeling of a little more togetherness.
Read more on Wishing You A Happy Holiday…
Listen closely, what do you hear around you? Is there someone taking a phone call in the distance? Is there laughter from a children walking by? I can hear a dump truck backing into the parking lot. I recognize the trickle of rain falling on the window and the sound of my nails on the keyboard as I type. But if I really listen closely, I can hear the hum of the fluorescent lights above my desk. I notice the whoosh of the heat as it turns on, and I hear a constant chirp from somewhere behind my computer monitor that I have a tendency to ignore everyday. It is this ability, the ability to discriminate each sound, ignore it, or enjoy it, that many of us share with our neurologically-“typical” sensory processing systems. The same auditory input I hear or ignore can be overwhelming to a child with Sensory Processing Disorder, so much so that it causes them to react with an aversive fight-or-flight response at home, in school, or in a grocery store with their mother.
Read more on Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), What is it?…
By Richmond ARC
In a cozy room at the Greater Richmond ARC, five-year-old Becky and her speech therapist are playing a word game. Her father Jose and translator Rene Fagalde are also present.
“What do cows drink?”asks Stephanie, the speech therapist. “Milk,” comes the reply.
“What does a red light mean?”Stop,” says Becky.
Since beginning speech therapy at ARC when she was three, Becky has come a long way. And one thing that has helped is the presence of Fagalde, who interprets the therapist’s questions for Becky’s dad, who does not speak English.
About 12 percent of ARC’s Infant and Child Development Services program clientele are Spanish-speaking or come from families where English is a second language, so the services of a translator like Rene is important. At ARC it is a courtesy service provided at no charge, and an integral part of a child’s therapy. For Becky and her family, speech therapy is a life saver. “What I respect most about ARC is their sensitive approach to helping my daughter,” said Jose through the translator, noting her incredible improvement. Becky can now speak in full sentences.
Read more on Greater Richmond Arc Shares A Parent’s Happiness…
The Crippled Lamb; Hardcover; Author – Max Lucado
A beautiful and inspiring story that has encouraged thousands of children who have felt left out or who have special needs. In this timeless bestseller, readers experience the tender love God has for those who feel alone and different. Joshua was a lamb with a crippled leg who felt left out because he couldn’t run and play like the other lambs. But God had a very special plan for Joshua’s life, as He does for all who feel alone. Readers can expect a gentle tug on their hearts as the little lamb’s prayers are answered in an amazing way. Original oil-painting illustrations by Liz Bonham brilliantly capture the beauty and warmth of this endearing story. Meets national education standards.
Read more on Our Picks For Holiday Books For Kids Focusing On Special Needs…
Last night, Marky was in the family room, with his sisters and dad, I was in the kitchen. I don’t know how long he was crying under a pillow, but his sister realized it well into his tears. This was the first tug at my heart, for not even knowing. He was buried under a pillow, trying not to be heard. Second tug, he doesn’t seek any attention.
Read more on Monday Morning Moment. Happened Sunday Night. Sad Autism Post Alert…