Happy World Autism Day! As the mother of an autistic son, I appreciate the world taking a day to honor what life is like for families like mine. Because, from education to the community to home, life with autism differs from life without.
Autism Acceptance Month Day 2: How would a parent know to pursue a diagnosis?
This year to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month, I pledge to answer one question about autism per day. Day 2: How would a parent know to pursue a diagnosis?Continue reading Autism Acceptance Month Day 2: How would a parent know to pursue a diagnosis?
Autism Acceptance Month Day 1: What is autism?
This year, to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month, I pledge to answer one question about autism per day. The first question is, “What is autism spectrum disorder?”Continue reading Autism Acceptance Month Day 1: What is autism?
5 Tips for Grandparents of Autistic Children
Even though I haven’t crossed the threshold from parent to grandparent, I’ve heard it’s one of the most rewarding roles in a person’s life. But if you are the grandparent of a child with autism spectrum disorder, your role, although equally rewarding, comes with a unique set of challenges. Challenges that you probably haven’t experienced.Continue reading 5 Tips for Grandparents of Autistic Children
5 Tips To Create Consistency For Autistic Children Across All Environments
Consistency is important for all children, but for autistic children, consistency is a must. Here are 5 ways in which you can create consistency for your child across all environments, from home to school and beyond.Continue reading 5 Tips To Create Consistency For Autistic Children Across All Environments
10 Tips for Creating a Positive Childhood for Your Child
Creating your child’s childhood is an enormous responsibility. One day they will be adults looking back on the memories you helped create. Here are 10 tips you can start using today to help give your child a childhood they’ll one day cherish.Continue reading 10 Tips for Creating a Positive Childhood for Your Child
Be Careful What You Reinforce: You Just Might Get It
A few weeks ago, my husband and our 6 1/2-year-old autistic son visited our oldest daughter and her husband for an annual family get-together. They don’t have children, which means they also don’t have a verbal filter. Do you get where this is going?Continue reading Be Careful What You Reinforce: You Just Might Get It
Unlocking the Joy Within Your Exceptional Needs Family
Every family has its own set of challenges, particularly for families impacted by exceptional needs. But experiencing joy shouldn’t be one of them. Continue reading Unlocking the Joy Within Your Exceptional Needs Family
Vacationing with an Autistic Child: Before, During, and After
Vacationing with an autistic child can be incredibly challenging, but focusing on what happens before, during, and after your vacation can ensure everyone has a good time. The following tips will help!
5 Tips to Prepare an Autistic Child for a Shot
Fear of needles (needle phobia) is common for children, however it can even be worse for children with autism. These 5 Tips will give you some great ideas in helping your autistic child tolerate medical procedures involving needles. Continue reading 5 Tips to Prepare an Autistic Child for a Shot
Using Numbers to Help Your Autistic Child Remain Calm During Chaos
When things become overwhelming for an autistic child, numbers can be used as a coping mechanism.Continue reading Using Numbers to Help Your Autistic Child Remain Calm During Chaos
Virtual School Induced Meltdown
You’re a parent in 2021, so chances are your child has either been affected by or will be when this happens: COVID cases shutting down classes and leaving you scrambling to figure out how to manage both your job and help your child with virtual school for about ten days. And if your child isContinue reading Virtual School Induced Meltdown
How to Keep an Autistic Child in Their Car Seat
Are you looking for a way to keep your autistic child from unbuckling their car seat? Read on and find out how we kept our son safely in his.Continue reading How to Keep an Autistic Child in Their Car Seat
Five Tips For Moving With Your Child on the Autism Spectrum Guest Post by Tilda Moore
Moving to a new home can be stressful. Find out how you can make things easier for your autistic child by following these five tips by guest post author, Tilda Moore.Continue reading Five Tips For Moving With Your Child on the Autism Spectrum Guest Post by Tilda Moore
Neurodiversity: Awareness Isn’t Enough
“Neurodivergent” is a relatively new term to describe people with any form of neurobiological variation. It’s a more accurate term for those who don’t fit the typical mold. But awareness isn’t enough – we need action.Continue reading Neurodiversity: Awareness Isn’t Enough
It Takes a Village: How to Build a Support System for Your Exceptional Needs Family
Raising a child with a developmental disability, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is often overwhelming for parents and caregivers. They need all the help they can get. I know I am one of them.
Mandy’s Voice: A Film About Nonverbal Autism and Finding the Right Tools to Communicate
A few months ago, I was scrolling through my Facebook feed and ran across a post in an autism group that caught my eye. The post was a casting call for for Hear Me, later retitled Mandy’s Voice, a short film about nonverbal autism.
Having a Sibling With a Disability Changes You – For the Better
My youngest daughter and I recently attended a disability conference. Seeing her interact with the families of disabled children, as well as disabled youth really showed me the empathy and compassion she’s gained by having a sibling with special needs.Continue reading Having a Sibling With a Disability Changes You – For the Better
The Frustrating Journey Trying to Find a School for My Autistic Son
When moving to a new location, one of the first things a family with children does is check out the local school system. A school can often be a selling point (or a deterrent) to a family moving to a specific location. Unfortunately, this is understandable because public education often doesn’t look the same fromContinue reading The Frustrating Journey Trying to Find a School for My Autistic Son
5 Tips for Keeping Morning Routines Consistent for Children with Autism
Here are five tips on how to keep morning routines consistent and calm for children on the autism spectrum. Continue reading 5 Tips for Keeping Morning Routines Consistent for Children with Autism
Regressive Autism – Understanding the Causes and How to Help Your Child by Better Speech
In this guest post from Better Speech, the writers discuss the difference between autism presenting at birth versus a regression later in toddlerhood.Continue reading Regressive Autism – Understanding the Causes and How to Help Your Child by Better Speech
Minimizing a Saliva Obsession in Children With Autism
If you are the parent of a child with autism spectrum disorder obsessed with their saliva, you must be frustrated! Not only is the world still in the midst of a global pandemic transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets, but playing with saliva is also messy and socially unacceptable. My autistic son is six years old,Continue reading Minimizing a Saliva Obsession in Children With Autism
Pod 38: Leanne Page of Parenting with Science
Hey There! A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of speaking with Leanne Page. If you are a parent, grandparent or work with children in any capacity, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss!
The Benefit of Artistic Hobbies (and How to Get Started) Words by Lillian Brooks
The arts have an incredible ability to facilitate creativity, self-expression, and personal development. Dancing, music, drawing, painting, and theatre are invaluable for healthy child development. More specifically, art-based hobbies have unique and diverse benefits for children with developmental disabilities. Artistic hobbies can help children communicate, reduce stress, and build self-confidence. If you are looking toContinue reading The Benefit of Artistic Hobbies (and How to Get Started) Words by Lillian Brooks
Being an Advocate for Your Autistic Child
An advocate can be defined as a person who pleads on behalf of another’s cause. Plead can be defined as making an emotional appeal. Lastly, a cause can be defined as a principle for which a person or group is dedicated to fighting for. So, an advocate is a person who makes emotional appeals onContinue reading Being an Advocate for Your Autistic Child
The Value of Parental Friendships Both Inside and Outside the Special Needs Community – As Featured in Exceptional Needs Today
I am honored to be featured in Exceptional Needs Today’s 3rd edition. Building and maintaining friendships both inside and outside the exceptional needs community is vital for us as parents of exceptional children. Not only to find the support we need to be the best parents possible but for our own mental health and well-being.Continue reading The Value of Parental Friendships Both Inside and Outside the Special Needs Community – As Featured in Exceptional Needs Today
Coming Soon! Caregiver Coaching For 2023
Raising a child with exceptional needs is often overwhelming for families. Even if the child receives the services and support they need outside the home, they may still struggle at home. I am excited to announce that I will soon be launching Big Abilities Caregiver Coaching.
Top 5 Free Autism Resources in 2021
Raising a child with a developmental disability such as Autism Spectrum Disorder can have a huge impact on a family’s finances. Families of children on the spectrum often have less income because one parent may need to leave the workforce to be the primary caregiver. In addition, the expenses of an ASD diagnosis can spanContinue reading Top 5 Free Autism Resources in 2021
Sally’s Room, Written and Illustrated by M.K. Brown, Narrated by Amy Nielsen
I speak with parents all the time about optimizing their home environment to help their exceptional needs family thrive. Often I use the children’s book, Sally’s Room, written by M. K. Brown, as an example of why an organized and tidy environment is so important for our children with exceptional needs.
My Conversation with Mitja Mavsar, Co-Founder of Speech Blubs
Back in 2017, when my son was first diagnosed with a speech delay, while we waited for speech therapy to begin, I searched for as many resources as possible to help him at home. One of the first resources I found was an app called Speech Blubs.
Big Abilities 