How to Deal with Oppositional Defiant Behavior

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 unlikly that you’ll to be listened to all the time. Parents and … Read more

How to Answer The Question: “Am I A Special Ed?”

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

Positive Education

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. … Read more

A Message of Hope from Temple Grandin

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

Tips for Behavioral Troubleshooting

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 … Read more

Tips for Instructional Assistants

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 … Read more

Mainstreaming Children with Autism

Dear Parents, Here comes another school year along with lots of hopes and loads of goals for your child’s future! Over the summer break you have probably set some goals for your child and pictured her in a certain setting that would rather satisfy your dreams. Good job! This exactly what parents are here for. … Read more

Important Fact Sheet

As I mentioned in the previous post, schools are going to welcome their precious students very soon. Parents, please read the fact sheet and make sure to share it with your child’s teacher(s). Co-operation between home and school is major key to your child’s success. Communication facilitates the mission of raising and educating our children. … Read more

Parents & Educators, Are You Ready for A New School Year?

A new school year is around the corner and about to emerge! 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 Better Social Skills Stronger Communication … Read more

12th Annual Morgan Autism Conference 2013

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 … Read more