The Premack Principle, often referred to as First/Then or Grandma’s Rule, is a simple behavior modification strategy parents can easily implement to help children overcome challenging behaviors.Continue reading The Premack Principle: How Using First/Then Can Improve Behavior
In this article, posted originally on Collaborative Corner for Exceptional Children, you’ll learn early intervention strategies you can implement now while waiting for therapies to begin.Continue reading Early Interventions You Can Implement Now!
I was honored to be invited to share our family’s autism journey with our son on the Love What Matters platform. Read it now!Continue reading Love What Matters
Educators often schedule parent-teacher conferences regularly to discuss with parents their child’s academic progress and struggles as well as behavior and social-emotional development. For families of children with exceptional needs, the interactions between home and school are typically greater than for general education students. But what happens when a parent, rather than the teacher, requestsContinue reading How to Structure an Effective Parent-Teacher Conference From the Parent’s POV
The holidays can be a perfect time to purchase items that fill your exceptional child’s sensory needs.Continue reading Sensory Gifts for The Holidays
Recently, I had the pleasure of a follow-up conversation with The Autism Dad, Rob Gorksi. Rob and I spoke about my family’s experience with COVID, about the judgement and negative comments families impacted by autism often receive, how to address them, the danger of eloping for children on the spectrum, some of the new services being offered by Collaborative Corner for Exceptional Children, and more.
It is always a pleasure speaking with Rob and I know you’ll benefit from our conversation!
Check it out!Continue reading My Recent Conversation with The Autism Dad, Rob Gorski
In this short video, I share 5 simple activities to improve play skills in children on the autism spectrum and why this it is so important to build these play skills.Continue reading 5 Tips To Promote Play For Children With Autism
In this article I wrote for Speech Blubs, I explain how to help children on the autism spectrum improve imaginative play which to improve speech.Continue reading Play To Improve Speech in Kids With Autism
Taking turns is an important developmental milestone that most children naturally develop, but children with autism may need to be taught how.Continue reading How to Teach Turn-Taking to a Child With Autism
I typically write about our family’s experiences in raising a child with developmental disabilities, but not always. I wrote this piece months ago when my youngest daughter was struggling. She’s overcome so much in a short time. I am so proud of her! It is my desire that this message can give you hope if you have a child struggling to find their way. And to tell you this, never give up!Continue reading The Prodigal Daughter
Creating safe, welcoming, and sensory-friendly environments can help children with autism thrive. This article, featured on Autisable, gives 4 simple suggestions to help parents get started.Continue reading 4 Easy Ways of Making Your Home More Special Needs Friendly – A Collaborative Post From Autisable
Wendy Valente is the owner of Live Well Designs, an interior design company that is home to Designing Interiors for Autism. Continue reading “Designing Interiors For Autism” by Wendy Valente
It is an honor to feature on Big Abilities guest blogger, Liz Talton. Liz is the author and creator of Pitter Patter of Baby Feet, a website dedicated to families trying to conceive, fertility, pregnancy, mental health, and anything related to motherhood. Before starting a family, Liz received her master’s degree in forensic psychology and mental health. She is now a full-time blogger, wife, and mother to two boys, ages three and six months.Continue reading The Most Important Skills to Teach Your Child With Autism – Words by Liz Talton
Children on the autism spectrum can be prone to severe meltdowns. But understanding what triggers a meltdown, and minimizing or eliminating that trigger can help.Continue reading Identifying Meltdown Triggers
If you have a child with special needs and they attend school, daycare, therapy, or spend time with a sitter, considering sending an “About Me” brochure.Continue reading How to Create an “About Me” Brochure
Parents and caregivers are often guilty of overlooking their own needs as they work to deal with the significant needs of their child. However, neglecting your needs can have a negative impact on your ability to handle the stress and responsibilities that having an exceptional child often entail.Continue reading How to Take Care of the Most Important Person in Your Child’s Support System – You!
Parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder means that if you have other children, they are likely to get less of your time. While that often makes parents feel guilty, it’s an unfortunate reality. However, your other kids need to know that while they may not get an equal share of your time, they have an equal share of your love!Continue reading To My Other Kids Not On The Autism Spectrum
Because children with autism spectrum disorder function best in a structured routine, taking them out of that routine can cause overstimulation, dysregulation and confusion. Today I share about a recent experience we had taking our son with ASD to an aquarium and what I learned as a result.Continue reading When Plans Need to Change Quickly
Up to 50% of children with Autism are aggressive. However, understanding why and implementing some simple strategies can greatly reduce the frequency.Continue reading Curbing Aggression in Children with Autism
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
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
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
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
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
