In this two part series, I have taken the well-known fairy tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and rewritten it with the character of Goldilocks as having Autism Spectrum Disorder. I wrote her character to demonstrate some of the most common characteristics a person with ASD might exhibit.
In this two part series, I have taken the well-known fairy tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and rewritten it with the character of Goldilocks as having Autism Spectrum Disorder. I wrote her character to demonstrate some of the most common characteristics a person with ASD might exhibit.
Check out my guest appearance with Rob Gorksi on The Autism Dad podcast.Continue reading My Guest Appearance With Rob Gorski on The Autism Dad Podcast
I love buying my son toys that serve a valuable function. We have had this Melissa and Doug Fresh Mart for a couple of years and we love role playing shopping at our favorite grocery store, Publix. For children on the autism spectrum, life skills can sometimes be difficult. So check out the review below and click the link for more great Melissa and Doug products!Continue reading Melissa and Doug Fresh Mart: a Great Tool For Teaching Life Skills
Some days need a real and raw description and this was one of those days. However, despite the challenges, at the end of the day, I am grateful for what really matters.Continue reading What Really Matters at the End of the Day
As quickly as you make a plan, living in a world amid a global pandemic means that plan can come to a screech halt without warning. That is precisely what happened to our family yesterday when our 5-year-old son with Autism Spectrum Disorder tested positive for COVID-19.Continue reading Catching COVID-19: Our Family’s Story
Are you the parent of a VPK student and are not sending them to a brick and mortar campus for the upcoming school year? If so, check out this free downloadable At-Home Guide created by our team at Collaborative Corner for Exceptional Children.Continue reading Collaborative Corner For Exceptional Children’s Get Started VPK At-Home Guide
Educational choice for children has historically been a fairly easy decision for families. But families of children with disabilities, who already faced tough choices, amid a global pandemic the decisions are even tougher.Continue reading Education 2020: School Choice Amid a Global Pandemic
Today, as my husband and I stood in the garage about to put our 5-year-old son in his stroller for a walk he did something he never had before, but something I’d been terrified he eventually might.Continue reading Autism and Eloping: What it is, Why Children on the Spectrum Are Prone to It, and How to Minimize the Risks
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a highly effective therapy for children on the autism spectrum that is based on the science of learning and behavior. As a mother of a child with autism, I have seen firsthand the positive impact of ABA therapy with my son. I have also seen the confusion in others about what ABA is and the controversy surrounding it. Hopefully this post will break it down and dispel those misconceptions.Continue reading The Confusing Controversy Around Applied Behavior Analysis
This article by the online speech pathology program from Baylor University’s Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences is an excellent read for parents who may be concerned about language delays or speech disorders.Continue reading Parent’s Guide to Language Delays and Speech Disorders in Children by Baylor University
Today my sweet mother tragically lost a dear friend that, as a result of COVID-19, I never had the chance to meet. I wrote this to help to heal us both. His death reminded me that isolation may reduce the spread of COVID-19, but there are also consequences to that isolation. For me, that meant never getting the chance to meet someone who was so important to my mother.Continue reading Mourning the Loss of Someone You Never Met, But Should Have
If you are the parent of a child with a physical, cognitive or developmental disability, home safety can be a concern. Fortunately, Bob from Child Senior Safety is here to help!Continue reading Keeping Children With Special Needs Safe at Home with Child Senior Safety
In this video, I share three easy to implement strategies for helping transitions with children with developmental disabilities go more smoothly. Stay tuned to the end for a special bonus tip!Continue reading Behavior Strategies: Tips for Transitions
I am excited to share my new role at the nonprofit Collaborative Corner for Exceptional Children.Continue reading My New Role at Collaborative Corner For Exceptional Children
I raised girls for more than a decade before I became the mother of a son. When I was pregnant with my first son I was worried I wouldn’t know how to be a good boy mom. Now I have two sons and I realize, all I needed was love. They’d teach me everything else I needed to know!Continue reading The Bathroom Always Smells Like Pee and Other Joys of Raising Boys
Dental visits can be very challenging for children on the autism spectrum. Here are some tips that have helped my 5 year old with ASD have his best dental visit yet!Continue reading Tips for Helping Children on the Autism Spectrum at the Dentist
The Big Red Safety Box is a free toolkit for families and caregivers of children with autism who are prone to eloping, which means wandering away from a safe and supervised environment. In this review, I share what comes in the box, information about eloping and offer strategies to help protect your loved one.Continue reading Big Red Safety Box: Autism and Eloping
In this article for Autism Parenting Magazine, Amy shares actionable steps you can take immediately if you suspect your child is on the autism spectrum or they are an early diagnosis and you are struggling to find the best resources.Continue reading Big Abilities Featured in Autism Parenting Magazine
Even amid a global pandemic, if you have a child on the autism spectrum, keeping their life as consistent as possible is essential in helping them function and thrive.
Amy shares how using the BigBoxPlay system with her son who is on the autism spectrum both at home and in therapy has helped his imaginative play skills improve.Continue reading BigBoxPlay! Helping Children on the Autism Spectrum Improve Their Imagination
In this episode, Amy shares her interview with Jessica Barisano, founder of Collaborative Corner for Exceptional Children.Continue reading Podcast 29: Jessica Barisano of Collaborative Corner for Exceptional Children
Amy shares a review of her recent purchase for her son of a customize-able Maxtrix Bed by Maxwood Furniture. #mymaxtrix #maxtrixaffiliateContinue reading The Maxtrix Bed by Maxwood Furniture
Amy shares her take on the difficult decision the Stauffer family made to “rehome” their son Huxley and how the culture surrounding Autism Spectrum Disorder has evolved over time.Continue reading The Evolution of the Culture of Autism
Amy shares the impact systemic racism has on children of color who are on the autism spectrum and the hope that change is coming.Continue reading How Systemic Racism Harms Children On The Autism Spectrum
Amy shares 8 steps parents should immediately take if they suspect their child may have a developmental delay or disability.Continue reading 8 Steps to Immediately Take if You Suspect Your Child May Have a Developmental Delay or Disability
Amy shares a letter she wrote to her family and friends while celebrating her 50th birthday during the pandemic and her optimism for the future.Continue reading To My Family and Friends on My 50th Birthday: A Letter of Optimism and Hope
In this episode, Amy shares the program her son’s behavior therapy team developed to help him tolerate wearing a face mask.Continue reading Podcast 28: Helping a Child With Autism Tolerate Wearing a Face Mask
Amy shares the program her son’s behavioral therapy team created to help him tolerate wearing a face mask.Continue reading Helping a Child With Autism Tolerate Wearing a Face Mask
As a mother of a child on the autism spectrum, I’ve learned that self-care must be a high priority. Early on in my special needs parenting journey, I realized that if I didn’t fill my needs first, I couldn’t fill the significant needs of my son. In my book “It Takes a Village: Get YourContinue reading Caregivers of Children With Autism: Self-Care During the Pandemic
