A Message to Parents

Dear Parents, I am finally back after a long silence for almost two years. It is very hard to disengage myself from thinking and writing about...

Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Very Early Autism Signs

By Nadia Shanab | general advice, parenting, Uncategorized

This video is from a first-hand experienced mom of a baby with autism

Independence is The Most Important Quality to Teach

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

The fundamnetal requirement for an individual with an autism spectrum disorder to be successful in life after high school is independenc. As repeatedly mentioned before, poor communication and social skills are the two most common traits of autism. Consequently, high school students with autism exhibit difficulty asking questions and expressing themselves. Additionally, their rigidity and

Peer’s Effect on Children with Autism

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

Facilitating social interaction for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is crucial to help them communicate and connect with the society. In schools, adults should encourage kids with autism to mingle with typically developed peers on the play ground. Luckily, all children enjoy recess and playtime, because it is simply a time to have fun!

Less Sleep Hours Linked to Bedroom Screens

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

In a research done by a team of The University of Missouri found a relationship between bedroom access to a telivision or computer and reduced sleep among boys with autism. Besides, they found a relationship between the average video-game exposure  and less time sleeping among boys with ASD. Read the full research here. Using a

End-of-Year Checklist

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

This is the time of the year when most of us tend to look back and try to “evaluate” or “assess” the last twelve months’ achievements. Parents, don’t be harsh on yourself and on your child, we’re human. Before you blame yourself for not meeting all the goals you’ve set a year ago, ask yourself

No Two Individuals with Autism Are The Same

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

Often times we see parents of children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) comparing their child to her peers. They assume that if a peer has been fully mainstreamed and their child is still struggling with one subject in mainstream, they would consider it a failure on their part as well as the child’s. The reason

Single Spray of Oxytocin Improves Brain Function

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

On December 2, Yale School of Medicine researchers pubished a research in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Science about a nasal spray that enhances the brain activity in individuals with autism. The spray containing the hormone Oxytocin was delivered via nasal spray. Oxytocin is naturally occuring hormone produced in the brain and throughout

Air Pollution Increases The Risk of Autism

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

A research from the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California was recently published suggesting: “Children with both the risk of autism genotype and exposure to high air polluant levels were at increased risk of autism spectrum disorder compared to those without the risk genotype and lower air pollution exposure.” This study

Why Does My Child Repeat and Echo?

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

Why do children with autism repeat and echo the questions they are asked? We agreed that the wiring of the brain in individuals with autism is different, compared to NTs (Neurotypically developed peers). Consequently, The processing or thinking speed of a child with autism is sometimes different. And while the child is trying to process/think

Success Story

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

Yesterday I ran into a former student accompanied by his family, mother, father, and sister in a shopping mall. His mom was the one who gave me a pat on the shoulder coming from behind me. She looked at me with a big smile and sparkling eyes, full of joy and excitement, wondering if I