Happy Mother’s Day. 💐
Thanks to all the moms, grandmothers, aunts and sisters who help our kids become the best they can be every day. Autism Spectrum Disorder can be a challenge but we continue to move forward and see the beauty that comes out of all that we do for our kids.
Stay strong moms and keep believing in our children.!!!
Thanksgiving and Christmas have come and gone and winter is now in full swing. In my part of the country, it can be 40 degrees one day and 75 the next, so my family tries to keep our immune systems filled with healthy eating and vitamins to keep us going.
Now that our kids are completely back at school and immersed in their learning, it’s time to think about adding new therapies or revitalizing old ones.
As I said in my previous post, I am writing about a variety of therapies that my son and other families have found to be very helpful in their healing journey. I believe that many of them will work for you as well.
For this post, I want to sing praises to Music Therapy (MT). This happens to be my son’s favorite. He gets the best of both worlds; music and learning. One important point about MT is to make sure you have a licensed therapist. Many people claim to be music therapists, but you want your child to receive a professionally trained practitioner.
In music therapy, the practitioner utilizes a variety of instruments and songs to help your child with speech, focus, behavior and any other challenges they may be facing. The therapist will create a plan to tailor fit your child’s needs. It is never a one-size-fits-all in MT.
My son already loved music and playing with his keyboards at home. His therapist built on that and now he also enjoys strumming the guitar or hitting on the drums as well. My son’s focus, articulation and fine motor skills have greatly improved since starting MT. Needless to say his whole face lights up when the day comes for his music therapy session.
Many programs start at 3 years old (some even earlier) and continue into adulthood. My particular MT has a teen music band for kids on the Spectrum and they give performances throughout the year.
If you’re interested in music therapy checkout the link below or on my Resource page. Also, some schools incorporate music therapy in their curriculum, so talk with your special needs coordinator to see if your district has an MT program. If your child has never tried MT, it is definitely a therapy that is worth investigating.
The new school year is in full swing and fall is starting to show in some areas of the country with beautiful multi-colored leaves falling from trees and huge orange pumpkins scattered about on porches and patches. The coolness of the air is welcomed in places where the heat has been bearing down all summer. As fall gears up, so are our kids’ schedules. They are extremely busy with classes, homework, therapies and any other after-school activities.
During this time of year, I like to look at various therapies that are out there that can assist our children with not only speech and development but also social skills and an all-around healthy environment.
Over the next few blog posts, I will share several therapies that are pretty familiar but some that many parents and caregivers may not know about. This is not only helpful for new parents whose child has recently been diagnosed with ASD but also for those who may need a refresher or want to learn something new on what is out there for our kids.
One of my favorite therapies is Applied Behavior Analysis or ABA. I had a lot of success with my son in the past with this particular therapy and he has just started ABA again this past summer. Once again, we are seeing excellent results from the therapy such as improved focus, speech and social skills.
One of the things I love about ABA is that it can be utilized in the home, clinic, classroom with other therapies and in the community. For those of you who do not know about ABA, it is an intensive therapy, “Based on the science of learning and behavior. ABA therapy applies our understanding of how behavior works to real situations. The goal is to increase behaviors that are helpful and decrease behaviors that are harmful or affect learning. ABA helps to increase language and communication skills, improve attention, focus, social skills, memory, and academics.” (https://www.autismspeaks.org/applied-behavior-analysis-aba.)
One of the main points that assists our children in ABA is the fact that it utilizes a positive reinforcement system. As a child demonstrates good behaviors and/or learning habits, they receive something valued like a reward. The reward is suited for your child, be it a snack, music, swings, hugs or a huge high-five. Whatever is meaningful will be used as a positive reinforcement.
As I’ve said before, this therapy has been a God sent gift for our family because we have seen so much progress with our son. I’ve also known countless families it has helped as well. The therapy is usually done between 10 to 40 hours a week to receive the most benefits. In many states, insurance will cover some or most of the cost. Since it is such an intensive therapy, it took many years for insurance to cover ABA in the US. Now it has become easier to receive services; this is mostly due to the success ABA has had with children on the spectrum.
If you haven’t tried Applied Behavior Analysis, I think it is a great therapy to start with in correlation with Speech if possible. My son’s speech and ABA therapists are able to connect and it makes his learning experience so much more productive.
*Please check the resource page for websites to find ABA providers in your area.
Summertime is finally here, and I know many parents are gearing up for various outdoor activities with their kids. As I’ve said previously in one of my posts, summer is a great time to wind down and take it a bit slower with our children. The hustle and bustle of the school year can be tiring for parents as well as our kids.
This summer I was ecstatic that my son was able to enjoy camp again. As he gets older, I see him experiencing more of the activities and playing with the other children around him. I think camp is an extremely important activity for kids on the spectrum because it gives them a chance to be with other kids outside of school and therapies. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of camps for special needs kids, but they are out there. I have listed a few websites on my resource page to help in the search.
If a child is not able to go to camp or would like to explore other activities outside of therapy, many YMCA’s offer swim classes for special needs as well as tennis, soccer and basketball during the summer.
One key point about summer is to spend some time having fun with your kids. Explore the parks, museums and even amusement parks in your area. Taking a simple walk in your neighborhood and pointing out interesting things in nature can be a special bonding time with your child. If they have an older sibling(s) like my son does, the summer months gives them a chance to play games and spend some quality time learning new things from a sister or brother.
I am always thankful for this season because it gives me and my family a time to regroup, relax and reconnect with one another. I try to enjoy each moment because before you know it, the time comes to get in line at the store for the school supplies, lunchboxes and backpacks. For now, I’m soaking in the sun and enjoying the down time.
April is Autism awareness month and every year I try to do something that assists our communities in understanding more about Autism. One way I do that is by wearing a variety of shirts that say something about ASD. People always asks questions about the shirts and it is a wonderful conversation starter, especially for those who know nothing about Autism.
I also like to take advantage of events that cater to kids on the spectrum, such as visiting sensory friendly programs at museums, zoos and amusement parks. Most cities have a Children’s Museum, and many have presentations specially geared for kids on the Spectrum.
It’s important that parents and caregivers use this month not only to enjoy programs for our kids but to get the word out about ASD. As we know the numbers keep getting bigger for those affected by the disorder and we can make a big impact on assisting our communities in understanding that our children need support in dealing with Autism. It takes a village to continue the research, therapies and education of our children. If we don’t continue to inform society about Autism, no one will. Let’s enjoy the month and keep our communities aware!
*Please see Resource Section for some Sensory Friendly Places
Every year most people make resolutions. Usually, they have to do with conquering issues that deal with self. I admit that I make some as well, but I like to call them New Year’s goals. For some reason the word “resolution” makes me feel like I’ll forget about it after March. I also like to make these goals for my children for the year.
Since my oldest son just graduated from high school, I’m hoping that some of my goals for him line up with his thinking. As far as my youngest goes, there are so many possibilities I know he will achieve this year. Although ASD can bring a lot of challenges, when I look back from January 2018 until now, my son has conquered a lot of goals I set for him and that makes me truly proud.
Now that 2019 is here, I want to make sure we keep moving forward and not resting on last year’s victories. As I write down goals for myself, I do the same for him. Looking at a notepad or board with real objectives helps to keep everything in focus. Whatever method you utilize, it should always be in view. I love the refrigerator as a place to keep the goal board or even on the wall near a desk. I also recommend tackling small objectives, so they don’t get overwhelmed with trying to complete a huge goal. Also, since our kids usually love praise, giving them little rewards along the way seems to help their confidence as they continue the journey throughout the year.
Every year we must seize opportunities that will help our children reach their full potential. If we start out with a set of goals for our kids and we stay focused and consistent with them, there will be many victories that they will achieve throughout the year. 2019 is full of possibilities and every child deserves to take hold of all the greatness that is coming their way.
My son is now 8 and still in an Autism classroom that is 3rd-5th grade. At this point, I thought he would be in a regular class, talking my ear off and running around with the kids in our neighborhood. Some days this really gets to me and other days I am so thankful to God that he is thriving, making small victories and running around with his friends at school. I try to pull these positive visions out whenever I get that, “Why is he not where the neurotypical kids are yet feeling,” especially since his older brother never went through dealing with ASD.
As a mom of two boys, one being neurotypical and the other with ASD, it can be challenging to resist comparing the different milestones of each child, but it is essential that we do. That goes for all children, even those who are not on the spectrum, because each child has distinct abilities. I “get” that there are indicators of “where children should be academically and socially as we grow,” but we must also look at their individual strengths and talents as well.
I am diligently working on this, so that I always look at my younger son in his own unique light. It’s a little easier for me because my sons are not close in age, but I have friends who have kids that are twins or one year apart and that can get difficult.
One point I noticed about my older son and my friends’ children is that they have been great in embracing their sisters and brothers on the spectrum. They try hard to support them in every way possible and in our family, my younger son loves everything about his older sibling and tries to learn from him.
Even at school, I see this happening with my son and some of the neurotypical kids, especially the older ones. They look out for him. These children explain to those who don’t know that he has ASD, that he may need a little more assistance with a variety of matters at school. I remember being very cautious about this because I was concerned about how other kids might treat him. I’ve learned that there will always be children who do not understand but there are many that do and will help our kids.
As the numbers of Autism have increased, parents must keep in mind that our children are the lights that shine, to help society understand more about the disorder. Siblings and other children are embracing our kids on the spectrum and as parents, we must continue to do the same. Our children have capabilities beyond our dreams and it is essential that we support those gifts. Families and communities must look at each child in their own exceptional light and let them flourish as God intended.
The new school year is in full swing and that means meeting new teachers, friends and classes. This can be overwhelming for many children on the spectrum, especially if they are experiencing a new school for the very first time.
There are several ways that I’ve found helpful in easing back into school and coping with the newness of it all. I always try to give my son an idea of what he may be doing that day. He likes knowing the agenda. He may ask me several times if it is unfamiliar to him, but I always give my son a schedule. I also explain that it may deviate at times but if he has a basic timetable, it gives him peace of mind.
Next, I emphasize my support. As a mother, I feel it is essential that our children know we encourage them and I display that through words, hugs and high fives. Whatever your child likes as a support tool, utilize it as they start the school year. Even if your child is non-verbal, they need to feel that you are there through any channels that work.
At the end of the day, I let my son do something that he enjoys like watching a favorite cartoon, building Legos or playing a game on the tablet. This seems to help comfort him and alleviate any stress that school, therapy or activities may have caused throughout the day. By giving him some down time, he’s able to focus on any homework that needs to be done and looks forward to the next school day. Our kids are just like us and balance is key, especially when it comes to going back to school.
Although the beginning of a new school year can be challenging, it’s important that we have a routine that works well for our kids. When they are able to get through the day without chaos, it benefits the entire family. If we include a variety of strategies to assist with the transition, it will give our children the boost they need to have an awesome academic year.
Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors with your children especially those who are on the spectrum. One of the main points I always have to remember is to enjoy the summer moments with my son, they only come once a year, and it gives us time to slow down the pace a bit. There are plenty of activities for our kids. Although many of our children may not be able to attend a “regular” camp, there are several special needs camps that they can enjoy for a week or two and some offer scholarships as well. Also, the park is a great place for your child to have fun and play with other children without spending any money.
Most kids love water and the pool or enjoying the waves at the beach usually brings huge smiles to their faces. Some organizations like the YMCA have swim lessons specifically for children on the spectrum to help build confidence with being in the water.
If you are able to go to an amusement park, many offer accommodations for special needs kids, especially, Disneyworld. It is important to check with various companies to see what modifications they can make in order for our children to enjoy these activities. Often, we assume that our child may not be able to attend certain festivities, when in reality, many organizations can make adjustments for families.
Getting out of the house and doing activities with your child during the summer months is a wonderful way to connect with them outside of the hectic pace of school and therapy or other activities specifically dealing with ASD. As parents and caregivers of kids on the spectrum, we have to take moments and smell the roses with them too. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the weather, relax and rewind before the fall gears up again and we’re all back in full swing. Even if we have a ton of things on our plate, and many of us do, it is still important to take some time to soak up some of that beautiful sun before those autumn leaves come blowing back our way.
Last month the CDC released a new statistic for Autism Spectrum Disorder. It has gone from 1 in 68 children in the United States to 1 in 59. These numbers cannot be ignored, and families must continue to arm themselves with as much knowledge to equip them for the battle that lies ahead.
The wonderful news is that there is hope. In the midst of all the negative reports about these growing numbers, people are learning the importance of being proactive with their children. With that being said, I have added some additional books and websites for families to turn to for guidance and support in my resource section of the blog.
I urge families to take action in any way they can to help those affected by the disorder. We cannot be silent when it comes to the children and adults that need our support. Small steps lead to bigger changes and one move in the right direction can make all the difference.
For those who are just starting out on this journey, please look at resources such as TACA, Autism Research Institute and Autism Hope Alliance to name a few for assistance in moving forward. These organizations can give you a jump start in finding mentors, therapists and practitioners to help newly diagnosed children.
Families that have been on the journey for awhile who need encouragement, please remember that webinars, conferences and local groups are essential for inspiration and support.
Also, family members and those in the community who assist parents and caregivers, it’s important for you to get as much knowledge about the disorder, so you’re also equipped to assist those on the frontlines of this battle.
We must continue to have hope and take action at the same time in order for our children to win this fight! I applaud all of the people who have been working hard on this journey. As the numbers grow, let’s stay armed and ready with as much knowledge as we can, so that our children can have a real chance for a productive quality of life.
Mama 4 Healing Autism 