In this episode, Amy shares her guest appearance on Bethany Clemenson’s Dialed IN! Podcast.Continue reading Podcast 20: Guest Appearance on Dialed IN! Podcast “Big Life” Series with Bethany Clemenson
Using Visual Schedules For Children With Autism
Learn how to use visual schedules and the benefits it can bring for children with autism.Continue reading Using Visual Schedules For Children With Autism
Dialed IN! Podcast “Big Life” Series Episode #35 Featuring Amy Nielsen with Betheny Clemenson
Amy was recently a featured guest for the Big Life Series on the Dialed IN! podcast which is hosted by Bethany Clemenson.Continue reading Dialed IN! Podcast “Big Life” Series Episode #35 Featuring Amy Nielsen with Betheny Clemenson
Podcast 19: Your Other Kids
In this episode, I dive into why it is important for families of children with exceptional needs to spend quality time with their other children.Continue reading Podcast 19: Your Other Kids
My Son is Going to Kindergarten! A Letter of Gratitude
Amy shares a letter of gratitude to all of the people who are part of her son’s support system.Continue reading My Son is Going to Kindergarten! A Letter of Gratitude
Your Words Matter
Amy shares how important it is to keep the words you say about your child as positive as possible.Continue reading Your Words Matter
Pod 18: How Forward-Thinking Can Impact Your Mindset
Amy shares how when you have a child with a developmental disability such as ADHD or autism forward-thinking can help you have a more positive mindset.Continue reading Pod 18: How Forward-Thinking Can Impact Your Mindset
What To Do “After” a Meltdown
For most families who have children with autism, meltdowns are a part of life. Often triggered by communication difficulties, overwhelming sensory input, changes in routine, or anxiety, meltdowns are not the same thing as tantrums.
Preparing Children with Autism for the Holidays
Amy shares how she prepares her son who has ADHD and Autism for the Holidays by year-round exposure.Continue reading Preparing Children with Autism for the Holidays
Pod 17: Why I Wrote the Book “It Takes a Village” and How It Can Help You
In this episode, I share what inspired me to write the book “It Takes a Village: Get Your Hands Dirty and Builds Yours From the Ground Up” and how my book can help you.Continue reading Pod 17: Why I Wrote the Book “It Takes a Village” and How It Can Help You
Being Fun Will INcrease Compliance in Children with Autism
Learn how you can increase compliance with your child by creating an environment where doing what you ask of them is more fun than anything else they could be doing.Continue reading Being Fun Will INcrease Compliance in Children with Autism
Autism and Rules: A Hand in Hand pair
Today I had to drop my vehicle off for maintenance. While my car was at the dealership, I headed to a nearby shopping plaza for lunch. Walking through a parking lot, I saw two cars speed through stop signs. Then on the way home, I witnessed two drivers run red lights. That was four peopleContinue reading Autism and Rules: A Hand in Hand pair
Podcast 16: The Importance of Open-Ended, Fantasy, and Creative Play
Amy shares how a screen-free play area filled with open-ended toys can foster creativity and imagination in your child.Continue reading Podcast 16: The Importance of Open-Ended, Fantasy, and Creative Play
Using Simple Drawings to Increase Communication in Children with Autism
If you want your child to develop better communication skills, try drawing simple pictures on napkins and placing them in their lunchbox each day. Then when you pick up the child at school ask them what was on that napkin!Continue reading Using Simple Drawings to Increase Communication in Children with Autism
Podcast 15: Your Autistic Child’s Strengths
Find out how to build your autistic child’s strengths and overcome his or her challenges.Continue reading Podcast 15: Your Autistic Child’s Strengths
Pod 14: Using Positive Reinforcement to Improve Behavior
How can you use positive reinforcement for children with autism? Find out by listening to this podcast episode. I’ll share specific strategies that parents and teachers can implement today!Continue reading Pod 14: Using Positive Reinforcement to Improve Behavior
It Takes a Village: Get Your Hands Dirty and Build Yours From the Ground Up
Amy shares the Big Abilities first eBook that helps families with children with developmental disabilities build a support system.Continue reading It Takes a Village: Get Your Hands Dirty and Build Yours From the Ground Up
How to Have a Social Life When You Have a Child on the Autism Spectrum
Amy shares how her family has gone from struggling to have a social life to now adapting to a social life that works for them. Maybe her tips will help your family, too!Continue reading How to Have a Social Life When You Have a Child on the Autism Spectrum
Big Abilities is Now Featured on Feedspot
I am honored to have the Big Abilities blog now featured on Feedspot and on their Top 50 Autism blogs list. Reaching families that have children with developmental disabilities such as autism is our number one goal. Partnering with Feedspot will help us do just that!
How to Increase Compliance in Kids with Autism
Children with developmental disabilities, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, often struggle to comply with the many requests of parents and educators. This can make everyday life frustrating for all involved. Thankfully there are simple strategies that will significantly improve a child’s ability and willingness to comply so everyone has more peace in their lives.
Podcast 13: Making Screentime Interactive for Children with Developmental Delays
Children love their favorite shows, and that interest is very motivating to them. Yet passively watching even educational programs isn’t doing their brains any favors. However, if you get them off the couch moving and interacting with these shows then something interesting happens: they flip a cognitive switch! And bonus, this process gives you permission to buy toys!Continue reading Podcast 13: Making Screentime Interactive for Children with Developmental Delays
Podcast 12: Autism and Rigid Routines
You know that feeling when your routine gets disrupted? Usually it’s not a good one. That is also the case for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). When there are changes to their routines, these kids can become very rigid and non-flexible in dealing with them. But don’t worry; we’ve got some strategies right here so you won’t have to go through this alone!Continue reading Podcast 12: Autism and Rigid Routines
How Choices Can Increase Compliance
Learn how to effectively use choices to encourage compliance and increase independence in children with special needs!Continue reading How Choices Can Increase Compliance
The Anatomy of an Autistic Meltdown
My 4-year-old son is on the autism spectrum. I write about autism a lot! I usually keep my pieces uplifting, resourceful, and strategy-based. But not this one.
Helpful Tools for Families of Children with Exceptional Needs
As a freelance writer for Playground Magazine, I do my best to write articles that reach families of children with special needs, like my own. My most recent article highlights 5 of the best resources available for families in the Central Florida area. Click below to check it out! Helpful Tools for Families of ChildrenContinue reading Helpful Tools for Families of Children with Exceptional Needs
Mississippi Center for Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities 2019 Annual Fund Raising Event
Amy shares a summary of the Mississippi Center for Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities’ annual fundraising event.Continue reading Mississippi Center for Autism and Related Developmental Disabilities 2019 Annual Fund Raising Event
A Letter of Thanks to My Son’s Hairstylist
For an autistic child, a haircut can be like walking through fire. But the right hairstylist will make all the difference in the world!Continue reading A Letter of Thanks to My Son’s Hairstylist
Podcast 11: Building Your Village
Amy shares how you can build a support system for you and your child and includes a three week program to help you get started.Continue reading Podcast 11: Building Your Village
Podcast 10: 3 Tips for Increasing Compliance in Children with ADHD and ASD
As an autism parent, I know that one of the most frustrating things about parenting an autistic child is getting them to follow directions. Today, we’ll be discussing three behavior strategies you can use to get your kids with autism to follow instructions. Let’s dive in!Continue reading Podcast 10: 3 Tips for Increasing Compliance in Children with ADHD and ASD
Barclay Flies in an Airplane
Flying on an airplane can be an overwhelming experience for children on the autism spectrum. Hopefully this video can help your child have a successful flight!Continue reading Barclay Flies in an Airplane
Big Abilities 