Archive for April, 2010
15 Unique, Positive Things I Appreciate About My Child with Autism
Apr 24th
Our role as parent and/or teacher is to create a safe, enriched, balanced, loving, peaceful environment where our children can flourish.
While I enjoy the part of my calling that helps identify and discuss many of the challenges and issues in the life of a child with Autism, today I wanted to take an opportunity to share 15 unique and positive characteristics about my son. I hope you can relate to them and appreciate similar attributes in the gifted child or children in your life.
- Has a magnetic personality
- Affectionate
- Very musically oriented, can hear a song once on the radio and play it More >
It's Summer Camp Time Again… HELP!
Apr 17th
I won’t lie, this time of year typically throws me into a panic. Memories of being burned repeatedly and having my poor son bounced from program to program each summer makes me dread the search for a summer camp solution that is within a single parent’s budget yet offers my child the support he needs.
I always assume that providing all pertinent information, tips, schedule samples, copies of the IEP, challenges, typical behaviors, and dietary restrictions up front will be sufficient and ensure success for all parties involved. Then, usually a week in, I get a call from the director who More >
Practical Gluten & Casein Free Substitutes
Apr 11th
I perpetually have the best intentions in trying to eliminate gluten and casein from my child’s diet (to read about why you should consider a GFCF diet for your autistic child, see my previous post). However, I’m a single mom with a grocery budget, so going the extra mile for organic and special brands aren’t always practical! Add to the mix an older child that is one of the pickiest eaters in the universe and sodium and sugar restrictions on my own diet… it is not unusual for me to buy and prepare three separate menus in this house.
I thought I More >
Where Am I? Explaining Proprioception and Autism
Apr 4th
Proprioception , meaning “one’s own” and perception, is the sense of the relative position of parts of the body. Unlike the traditional five senses by which we perceive the outside world, proprioception tells you whether your body is moving or sitting still, as well as where your body parts are located in relation to one another.
Children with Autism frequently show signs of proprioceptive dysfunction. Do these sensory seeking behaviors sound like your child?
- Loves to crash into walls repeatedly
- Stomps when walking
- Kicks the chair or hooks feet around chair when sitting
- Prefers tight or multiple layers of clothing
- Chews on fingers, pens, Nintendo More >
