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 … Read more
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 … Read more
There is a way to go into children’s mind and see how they think (especially those with poor verbal skills) and check their understanding of the language. The activity explained below engages several senses along with the thinking process. The kids usually like it because it appears to them as a game. It includes cutting, … Read more
People tend to perceive noncompliance as stubbornness or misbehavior. Autistic kids do not always perceive our directions the way neurotypical kids do. Why? Because of their sensory integration issues or their condition in general. They see, hear, smell, feel and process (think) differently. When the child doesn’t comply or conform, she/he is trying to communicate … Read more
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 … Read more
Anecdote I was shadowing a student with autism from a Special Day Class (SDC) in a mainstream class for Math subject. The student looked around scanning the faces of all the students surrounding her. With confused and lost eyes the student looked at me and asked: “Am I a special ed student?” She was loud enough … Read more
Causes of autism have not been definitely identified yet. However, there are several major factors contributing to the disorder. Among these factors the three leading ones are: genetic factors, environmental factors, and a combination of both. Research has never been so focused on the topic given the growing number of individuals diagnosed with autism. So … Read more
Stanford Children’s Health and Children’s Health Council are offering a free program for recently diagnosed autism patients with Bay Area treatment resources. Find the details here. Parents of children with autism who enjoy a strong and stable marital relationship get the best possible outcome regarding their kids developmental progress. The day-to-day life of a family … Read more
The scientific reason behind encouraging early diagnosis of autism, and hence early intervention, is the fact that the brain development in early childhood years is fast and able to acquire new skills. It has been scientifically proven that late diagnosis results in unchanged IQ, however therapy is very important to hone social communication skills. Refer … Read more
A UMass pediatrician in Boston, U.S. has developed a new test to diagnose autism in children as young as 18 months. It is a game-like test that takes only 10 minutes. Eye contact, social skills, and communication skills are some of the factors to be tested. It is never enough to emphasize the importance of … Read more
