According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), every child with special needs has the right to be educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE), which is the general education classroom as a first option. Working toward a more restrictive environment is only acceptable if needs come up that cannot be met with support and …
Our Autism Journey from Special Education to Mainstream Classrooms Read More »
Bullying of kids with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a major problem in our schools. Recent research shows that 46% of kids with autism in middle and high school were victims of bullying, and other studies show that approximately 70% of elementary-age autistic children who were in inclusive classrooms were bullied. Read More>>
One question every exhausted and overwhelmed autism parent or teacher asks themselves or others at some point is, “Will this ever get better?” I wondered the same at times when my grandson was young and more than a handful. He was a runner, had numerous sensory challenges, melted down unexpectedly at home, at school, or …
Safety is an important topic when caring for autistic children. We covered how to keep autistic children out of harm’s way in Safety First! 8 Ways to Keep Children on the Autism Spectrum Safe, but there is another side to the story. Safety can also be an issue for the parents and caregivers of children on …
Safety Considerations for Caregivers of Children on the Autism Spectrum Read More »
Taking a plane trip can be taxing for anyone, especially when traveling with children. Adding an autistic child with their unique sensory challenges to the mix can make air travel even more difficult. Read More>>
And a Special Shout-Out to Five Autism Dad Heroes! In researching material for this Father’s Day article to appreciate autism dads, one thing was clear: fathers don’t get nearly as much credit as they deserve when it comes to their role in raising their autistic children. Perhaps this is because in general, most early intervention …
Autism can impact the safety of both autistic children and the adults caring for them. Learning to be proactive in keeping children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) safe is no small feat. Here’s how I know… Read More>>
Some children with autism may find it very difficult to control their emotions when they don’t win in a game, quiz, or raffle, or when they don’t get the highest score in their class. This can lead to emotional outbursts, much to the dismay of those in charge and their fellow students. Read More >>
When our autistic children grow up and enter the preteen and teen years, their needs change. They will require a new approach and different interventions to help them thrive. What may have worked for them when they were younger, may suddenly not work anymore and even annoy them. They may try to communicate their changing …
How to deal with aggressive behavior remains one of the main and most urgent questions teachers and caregivers of autistic children ask, and aggression is also among the most common challenges conveyed by parents and primary carers of children and adolescents with autism. As with all challenging behaviors, it is important to remember that behavior is communication. …
