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’

Animals’ Presence Eases Anxiety In Children With ASD

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

This is a new research showing how the presence of animals eases the anxiety of kids with ASD in a social interaction context. Kids with autism have shown a drop in their anxiety level during social interactions in the presence of guinea pigs, compared to social interactions while playing with toys, or silent reading, or

Equine Therapy

Equine Therapy

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

Here is another “natural” therapy for children with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. Equine therapy helps them improve their social and communication skills, as well as getting over some of the anxiety and stress imposed from the sensory overload of the environment they suffer from. The rhythmic movement of a horse has a calming and relaxing

The Benefits of Playing Music on The Brain

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

Tip Give your child the opportunity to play a musical instrument at an early age. Help your child explore and experience the practice of playing music and look for her favorite instrument. It may take time to land on the perfect instrument that matches your child’s interest and needs. Be patient don’t give up. Why

Anecdote: Memory Problem or Sensory Issue

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

I used to work with a student who was obsessively writing letters, numbers, and symbols in the air using her index. I was so puzzled about this behavior, because it didn’t look appropriate in other poeple’s eyes. My idea was to help her use another medium to write on that looked more appropriate and channel

My New Article in The San Jose Mercury News This Week

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

“There’s no reason to miss out on holiday gatherings” Here are some tips to help parents of special needs kids to enjoy the holiday season and be part of their community and stay connected to their family and friends. Don’t turn down any invitations. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how interesting your experience was. Read the

8-Year-Old with Nonverbal Autism Delights Mom by Singing Katy Perry’s Roar

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

Miracles happens watch the video. Source: Yahoo News nadia shanab

Individuals with Autism Think out of The Box

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

It is never enough to emphasize the importance of being specific when interacting with individuals with autism to avoid any confusion. However, I’ve always found everything they say, and which may appear illogical to certain people, to be absolutely rational. Here are some examples: Example 1 We were reading a story and we came across

Positive Education

By Nadia Shanab | general advice, Uncategorized

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. Dalai Lama Research shows that people are becoming less happy, less fulfilled and less satisfied over the last two generations. Fifty years ago depression was known to affect people over thirty; now even children in elementary schools and adolescents are suffering from depression.

Tips for Behavioral Troubleshooting

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

The following tips can be applied in classrooms as well as at home. Be positive in scanning the environment for possible behavioral precipitants. Reduce or eleminate stressors, to the extent possible. Read the student’s cue and signals and react before inapporopriate behavior occurs. “Plug in” activities designed to reduce stress and anxiety before behavioral disruptions

TOBY Playpad: A Unique iPad App for Parents, Educators and Therapists

By Nadia Shanab | Uncategorized

TOBY playpad: TOBY Playpad is a unique, therapist-and-parent designed Early Intervention application for children with Autism. TOBY’s iPad tasks co-ordinate with off-iPad tasks to help your child learn skills in the real world. TOBY stands for Therapy Outcomes By You, because it aims to empower parents to commence early intervention to maximize your child’s development.