Toilet training for autistic children involves learning many different skills. It is no wonder this phase of development is stressful for many parents and children. If you are a caregiver just getting started with toilet training, you might consider first watching our pre-recorded webinar: “Toileting Without Tears.” If you are a caregiver who has already…
Halloween: Tricky for Treats
Autism and Halloween: For many, the spooky season is a time of excitement. People eagerly shop for scary costumes, set up spooky sounding animated figures, and devour buckets of candy. Children get excited about all the treats they will get, the festivals, and school celebrations. For an autism family, Halloween can be a very different…
Parenting: Becoming Teammates Instead of Opponents
My husband and I have been married for 23 years. We have seven boys ages 20 down to three, one of whom has autism. Parenting an autistic child can be challenging and can strain other relationships in your life, particularly your marriage or romantic partnership. Our marriage has weathered many storms—parenting two children with…
Preparing for an IEP Meeting
Let’s be honest, preparing for your child’s IEP meeting – whether it’s the first or the 20th – can be overwhelming, especially if your child was recently diagnosed with autism. What is an IEP and where does one begin?! An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a plan or program developed to ensure that a child…
Easing the Transition Back to School
Easing the transition back to school…it’s that time of year again! The transition from summer to fall, more specifically from summer break to the start of the school year, can be overwhelming for everyone involved. The added stressors of back-to-school shopping, meet-and-greets with teachers, and transitioning into new schools can be challenging. We have some…