The Causes, Symptoms and Signs of Autism To understand Autism, you have to understand the Autism ‘spectrum’. Autism is a developmental disorder that affects the brain and is one of a group of problems that are part of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). An Autism Spectrum Disorder typically occurs during childhood and is usually discovered before … Read more
Several years ago, I had the chance to have a very highly-touted “Autism Expert” meet my children. I’m the proud mother of quadruplets: one girl and three boys, two of whom are identical. They were about 3 years old at the time of the meeting with the “Expert”. The identical twin boys, who are autistic, … Read more
Autism Symptoms Checklist Autism is a complex disorder that is diagnosed by a medical professional familiar with the disability. It is diagnosed based on observed behaviors that the child displays. There is no medical or genetic test for autism. This is why it is very important that parents who may have concerns about their child’s … Read more
I cannot believe I am saying this, but summer is almost over and school is about to begin! For parents of children with Autism, this can be a challenging time as you attempt to get your children ready for a new school year. I have found that one of the easiest ways to transition your … Read more
Breaking the Stigma: Understanding Autism National Autism Awareness Month caused me to reflect upon my first real encounter with individuals that I knew had Autism. (In other words, they actually had a diagnosis–I’m sure I had known several individuals on the Autism Spectrum that didn’t have a diagnosis.) I got a job as a supervisor … Read more
If you have read any of Temple Grandin’s books, she talks a lot about the connection between animals and people diagnosed with Autism. That for some reason there is this symmetry and understanding that goes beyond words. Some people feel it is a primal ability that most people have, but few really tap into it … Read more
Social Stories Help Autistic Children Cope with Social Situations Social Stories are a teaching tool that helps autistic children learn and develop social skills. They are designed to provide the child with precise information about particular social situations he or she may find difficult or which leave them with feelings of confusion. The stories are … Read more
I have a dear friend that had a really rough time with her twin sons with Autism and the public school last year. They were placed into a ‘high functioning autism’ cluster unit. The problem is that it wasn’t at all a good fit for her boys. The teacher, principal and school district pretty much … Read more
Potty training is a very common concern for parents of children with Autism. Many times, children who have Autism might just take longer to successfully gain the skills needed to be independent in this aspect of their lives. (If this is you, don’t worry – you are definitely not alone!) Last week, we received a … Read more