We cannot plan for the summer break without considering summer school. This is an option that some kids are eligible for upon parents’ request. It is usually a half day four-week period shortly after summer break starts. Depending on the school staff, it is a mix of academic work and fun activities, almost 50-50. In

As discussed in Have You Planned For Your Child’s Summer Break Yet? Part 1, having a daily schedule is pivotal to maintain a balanced life for your child and yourself. The only difference now is, that you are privileged to be the master and designer of this schedule. Tips By now, your child has come

In the two posts Home-Schooling and A Special Interest Is Power I talked about the importance of encouraging individuals with autism, and special needs in general, to practice and develop their special interests and talents. The summer break, in particular, is a great time to do so. First, it is the longest break of the

There are some important factors to be considered in order to assure a successful summer vaction for the entire family. Sensory integration issues can probably cause the most serious inconvenience. A sensory overload can needlessly ruin the vacation. Noises, smells/odors, incessent objects and people in motion, high temperature, brightness, lack of personal space, major change

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

Mary Temple Grandin (born August 29, 1947) is an American professor of animal science in Colorado State University, a best-selling author, an autistic activist, and a consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior. She also invented the “hug box”, a device to calm those on the autism spectrum. The subject on an award-wininning, 2010

Watch another video. Jacob Barnett, who was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism at the age of 2, is now studying for a master’s degree in quantum phyisics. Below you will discover an intriguing research about a link found between child prodegies and autism. The research is preliminarey, and results are still to be continued

Humans don’t necessarily need a language to communicate. Luckily, nonvocal and nonverbal communication come with numerous presentations. As you may have seen in the last few posts, art is one of the most effective ways to communicate, like painting, drawing, and playing a musical instrument. Having a pet, is another way to express feelings and

A new research suggests that autism is characterized by reduced activity of inhibitory neurons and increased activity of excitatory neurons in the brain. Balance can be restored with low doses of drugs currently used in much higher doses to treat anxiety and epileptic seizures. The findings point to a new therapeutic approach to managing autism.

The reason of autism has not been found yet as we talk. However, the number of children diagnosed with autism is on the rise. The question will ramain: Is it because doctors can better diagnose it now? Or it is actually the real number of children born with autism is increasing? According to the CDC