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 ‘senses’

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

A Link Between Autism And Gastrointestinal (GI) Issues

A Link Between Autism And Gastrointestinal (GI) Issues

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

“Scientists from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health have discovered a link between autism and gastrointestinal issues. A new study found children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were two-and-a-half times more likely to experience persistent gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms as infants and toddlers than children without autism.” Source The symptoms may vary from chronic diarrhea,

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 Handle A Temper Tantrum

How To Handle A Temper Tantrum

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

What Is A Temper Tantrum It is a negative attention seeking that the child resorts to, in order to communicate her/his frustration in a socially inappropriate way. Usually the child’s frustration arises when a need or a desire hasn’t been met. Temper tantrum is a form of meltdown among others, like aggression, running off, and

Simple Tips To Make Your Child Enjoy School

Simple Tips To Make Your Child Enjoy School

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

Your child spends a good part of her day in school. To maximize the benefits from this time in school here are some simple tips to be shared with your child’s teacher. Parents and school’s staff’s cooperation will achieve best results. Sensory integration issues can be overwhelming. If your child have very sensitive ears to

Guidelines To Diagnose Autism

Guidelines To Diagnose Autism

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

To diagnose autism no lab work, devices, nor equipment are needed. The only thing that is requested from parents and licensed professionals to do is to fill out some questionnaires. Filling out papers is based on observing the child’s behavior in different settings, like interacting with family members, strangers, at home, new places, with toys

A Simple Testing Tool To Detect Autism

A Simple Testing Tool To Detect Autism

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

Some kids with autism are non-verbal, which makes their diagnosis more difficult. A recent study found a new concept to diagnose autism. It is called the “Sniff Test”. The research showed that individuals with autism have a pattern in smelling. Whether the scent is good or bad, they sniff the same way, unlike typically developed

8 Tips For Moving A Child With Autism To A New Home

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

Moving during summer breaks is very common!  Summer is the longest break from school. It is actually great for transitions. Kids move from one classroom to another and move from one grade to another. That implies having new neighbors, classmates, teachers, transportation system, maybe weather, and many more… So, if parents have to move, it

A Parent Of A Child Recently Diagnosed With Autism?

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

You have just been told the final word: “your child has autism”.  Now all the doubts have vanished, suspicions are confirmed, and confusion took over to rule your mind. You are probably shocked, mad, you have tens of questions chasing you, you are simply feeling lost. Now sadness, depression, and anxiety will follow in line.