I lost it today! Really lost it! My usually happy, kind, and amazing autistic teenage grandson, whom I raised most of his life, talked rudely and loudly to me over breakfast. As I reminded him to watch his tone, he laid into me even more. Read More>>
The description and diagnosis of autism have changed significantly over the years. Today, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) in the US describes it as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here is a timeline of events that led up to this diagnosis: 1911: Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, was the first person to use …
Two of the most common assessments used to evaluate autistic children are the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS) and the Verbal Behavior – Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP). These assessments are very similar, but some differences may make one test more suitable than the other for your child or student. Read …
ABLLS Vs. VB-MAPP Assessments: What’s the Difference? 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 »
AUTISM AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE TO PREVENT BULLYING There has been a lot of talk about Autism Awareness and Acceptance through the years, and while we still have a ways to go, much has improved since my grandson was first diagnosed with autism in 2009. At that time, I knew next to nothing about autism, and …
10 Things a Grandmother of a Child with Autism Would Like Other Children to Know Read More »
