Amy shares what families of children impacted by developmental disabilities, such as ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder, wish their friends and families knew. Continue reading Podcast 23: What Parent’s of Children With Special Needs Wish You Knew
Podcast 24: Guest Appearance on “Thriving the Midst of Chaos” with Jessica Temple
Amy shares her guest appearance on the podcast “Thriving in the Midst of Chaos” where she talks with host Jessica Temple about the importance of building a support system and how to make it happen.Continue reading Podcast 24: Guest Appearance on “Thriving the Midst of Chaos” with Jessica Temple
Guest Appearance on “Thriving in the Midst of Chaos”
Amy shares her guest appearance on the podcast “Thriving in the Midst of Chaos” where she talks with host Jessica Temple about the importance of building a support system and how to make it happen.Continue reading Guest Appearance on “Thriving in the Midst of Chaos”
A Positive Mindset Isn’t an Option
Amy shares a personal experience that illustrates how even though autism is hard, loving your child is easy.Continue reading A Positive Mindset Isn’t an Option
20 Autism Words You Need to Know
20 Autism Words You Need to Know Understanding these words might help you understand autism a little more.
Letting Go: A Little
Amy shares how she is learning to let go, a little, to allow her son to build his functional independence.Continue reading Letting Go: A Little
Podcast 22: Their Stories “Barclay”
“Their Stories” is a series that focuses on the strengths of children with developmental disabilities such as ADHD and autism. In this first episode, Amy interviews her husband, Brent, about their nearly 5-year-old son Barclay’s big abilities.Continue reading Podcast 22: Their Stories “Barclay”
Using Timers For Children With Autism
Amy shares how she uses timers with her son who has autism and offers helpful tips and suggestions.Continue reading Using Timers For Children With Autism
Podcast 21: Autism and Functioning Labels
In this episode, Amy shares what her research uncovered about autism functioning labels.Continue reading Podcast 21: Autism and Functioning Labels
Using Visual Schedules For Children With Autism
Amy shares how she used visual schedules to help her son follow routines.Continue reading Using Visual Schedules For Children With Autism
Dialed IN! Podcast “Big Life” Series Episode #35 Featuring Amy Nielsen
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
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
Podcast 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 Podcast 18: How Forward-Thinking Can Impact Your Mindset
What To Do “After” a Meltdown
Amy shares important things to do after an autistic child has a meltdown.Continue reading What To Do “After” a Meltdown
Autism & Rules: A Hand-in-Hand Pair
Amy shares how autism and rule following are strongly connected and how to use that strength to help the child overcome challenges.Continue reading Autism & 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
A Simple Drawing On a Napkin
Amy shares how drawing simple pictures on the napkin she puts in her son’s lunchbox has helped build his communications skills.Continue reading A Simple Drawing On a Napkin
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
Helpful Tools for Families of Children with Special 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 Special Needs
Scripting is My Son’s Super Power
Amy shares how her son’s scripted speech has been helpful in him learning to speak and build his memory.Continue reading Scripting is My Son’s Super Power
Interoception: The Eighth Sense and Autism
Amy explains what interoception is and how to help children who have autism better develop interoceptive awareness.Continue reading Interoception: The Eighth Sense and Autism
Podcast 04: Defining Your New Norm
In this episode, Amy shares how having a child with a developmental disability, such as ADHD or Autism, means that you more than likely will have to redefine what normal looks like for your family.Continue reading Podcast 04: Defining Your New Norm
A Christmas Meltdown Turns Into Christmas Miracle
Amy shares how a holiday meltdown turned into a holiday miracle.Continue reading A Christmas Meltdown Turns Into Christmas Miracle
Medication and the MTHFR Gene Mutation: Genetic Test Using Genesight
Amy shares a genetic test her son with ADHD and ASD had done by his developmental pediatrician and how the results have helped shape her son’s treatment. (Originally written December 2018. Updated September 2019 with new information.)Continue reading Medication and the MTHFR Gene Mutation: Genetic Test Using Genesight
Planning & Preparing for Excursions
Using real-world examples, Amy shares tips on how to prepare for a family outing with a child who has ADHD or ASD.Continue reading Planning & Preparing for Excursions
It Takes a Village: Get Your Hands Dirty and Build It From the Ground Up
Amy shares how important it is for families of special needs children to have a support system and offers practical tips on how to accomplish this.Continue reading It Takes a Village: Get Your Hands Dirty and Build It From the Ground Up
An Apology Letter to My Former Students
Amy shares a letter she has written to her former special needs students sharing with them a heartfelt apology for not understanding how to reach their individual needs and her promise that going forward she will be an advocate for children like them.Continue reading An Apology Letter to My Former Students
What Parents of Children with Disabilities Wish You Knew
Amy shares some firsthand responses that parents of children with disabilities wish their family and friends knew and understood.Continue reading What Parents of Children with Disabilities Wish You Knew
