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...

Posts Tagged ‘rewards’

How To Create A Flexible Schedule

By Nadia Shanab | autism, general advice, parenting, tips

In a previous entry I explained the importance of a daily schedule. Now I will show you how to build your own magnetic schedule, which will look like this: Before I explain how to make a physical magnetic schedule (the most effective I’ve ever used), here are some rules that I would like to talk

Parents & Educators, Get Ready For A New School Year Now

By Nadia Shanab | autism, general advice, parenting, tips

A new school year is around the corner and about to start! Parents and educators are you ready? Here are some tips to help you get off on the right foot. Bear in mind, there are three main goals in raising and educating children with autism that we are working on: Independence Improve Social Skills Improve Communication

Get Ready For A New School Year

Get Ready For A New School Year

By Nadia Shanab | autism, general advice, parenting, tips

Soon school will be back in session and classrooms will open their doors to welcome their students, both new and returning. It is never early enough to prepare your child with autism for a new transition in her life. Below you will find some helpful tips to get a smooth start of a new school

Basic Tips For Best Results

Basic Tips For Best Results

By Nadia Shanab | autism, general advice, parenting, tips

Here are 31 tips for teachers, educators, aides, and parents to work more effectively with children on the autism spectrum. General tips Always think SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY! This is the top priority when working with children, and especially special needs kids. Greet the student first by saying her/his name when she/he comes in. “Johnny! Good

How To Deal With Stubborness Or Oppositional Defiant Behavior

How To Deal With Stubborness Or Oppositional Defiant Behavior

By Nadia Shanab | autism, general advice, parenting, tips

If you are expecting your child or students to consistently comply, obey, agree, and follow your directions every time you ask her, you must be dreaming. This is just so unrealistic. Whether your child/student is on the autism spectrum or not, it is unlikely that you’ll to be listened to all the time. Parents and

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

A Message of Hope from Temple Grandin

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

Watch an interview with Temple Grandin that inspires “hope”. She briefly touches on most aspects of autism. templegrandin.com/ nadia shanab

Tips for Instructional Assistants

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

The Instructional Assistant’s Mission Statement Know well both your students and the disabilities that they manifest. Learn to take your students’ perspectives, and realize that they have significant difficulty taking yours. Always look beyond your students’ behaviors to determine the functions that those behaviors serve. Be neither blinded by your students’ strengths, nor hold them

12th Annual Morgan Autism Conference 2013

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

Morgan Autism Center Announces 12th Annual Autism Conference: “Transitions: Bridges to Success” Saturday, September 28, 2013 7:00 am – 5:00 pm Mayer Theatre, Santa Clara University 500 El Camino Real Santa Clara, CA … SCHEDULED SPEAKERS: Jed Baker Director of The Social Skills Training Project Jill Escher, Parent & Autism Activist What Causes Autism? How

What Is “Normal”? What Is “Special?”

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

Why doesn’t the grapefruit have any grapes inside? I was taken aback and shocked when a HF (high-functioning) student asked me this question. I had never thought about it before. I had never asked myself the same question. Don’t you think that the question really makes sense? How is the grapefruit related to grapes, apart