Tag Archives: Autism

Transitions…Again

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Summer is here, and for many students, that means a serious break from academics and a time for fun and relaxation. However, for many kids on the autism spectrum, it also includes increasing therapy sessions. Getting additional speech or occupational therapy during the school year can be challenging, so the summer is a great time to add more sessions.

For children or teenagers like my son, this summer also means transitioning from middle school to high school. The transition from fifth grade to sixth grade was scary for me, but now that my son has entered the “teenager” phase, it’s even scarier. He will have to handle a larger school with students ranging from ages 14 to 19, and that worries me. I feel like shouting, “Dorothy, we are no longer in Kansas,” but as a mom who has handled numerous challenges, I know we can overcome the beginning of the high school phase.

Whenever my son is about to enter a new phase in his life, I usually make two planners – one physical and one digital. You can choose whichever one suits you best to keep your child’s information organized. Personally, I like having both because items can sometimes get lost with technology. Many organizations have planners such as TACA (The Autism Community in Action) that are extremely helpful for keeping track of information.

Before summer started, I made an effort to attend numerous events designed for high school students with special needs. My goal was to collect and organize as much information as possible. In the planner, I have sections or folders that contain a list of my son’s therapies, recent evaluations, IEP’s, and essential resources. I categorize physical resources into areas such as volunteering, employment, and applicable camps for the near future, as well as a separate section for future events. For the virtual planner, I include links to the various companies and camps.

During any transition, organization is key. It is important not to become overwhelmed during the midst of camps, therapies, and summer fun activities. You do not want to be burdened by tedious work. Doing a little at a time will help in getting items together.

As I continue on this journey of transition this summer, I am preparing to meet teachers, therapists at my son’s high school as well as look for activities he can be a part of during the school year.

I am also giving myself grace and some time to just enjoy my son outside of academics and therapies. It is still summer and we should “kick up our heels” a bit and enjoy the break as much as possible.

Changes

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Summer flew by and now fall is truly upon us with leaves falling swiftly and cool breezes in the air, not to mention that school holiday breaks will be coming up soon.

In the midst of these changes, I think about my son’s transition from elementary to middle school. Although this was a big adjustment for me, he seemed to take it all in stride. It did not hurt that a lot of his elementary school friends were in the same classroom. In addition, he was able to see old classmates that had graduated a year or so before him at the new school. He seemed to be just fine but for mom it was HUGE!! The transition from elementary to middle was difficult for me because I thought that by this time he would be in a regular or inclusive classroom. I had hoped that this change would at least happen by the end of fifth grade.

Although this was challenging, I realize that everything is a process, and our kids have to operate at a pace that works best for them. We cannot always get caught up with what we want for our children, if it does not provide them with the best situation for their success.

Sometimes I have to remind myself of that when I get into the “why isn’t this happening now” phase. Those reminders have helped a lot along the way.

This new adjustment into middle school feels better now and I am seeing my son maturing at a nice pace. Every moment is precious, and I want to make sure I am enjoying each one with my son at every level. He has helped me to embrace this new phase in his educational journey.

BREAKING DOWN RACIAL BARRIERS

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As a mother of two African American boys, the youngest with ASD, I am extremely aware of the issues they face every day as young men of color. What is even more difficult is wondering how my son, who is dealing with ASD, will be viewed when he is on his own one day without the protection of his family.

In our world today, there seems to be even more ugly racial injustice rearing its head across the globe and especially in the United States.  When it comes to Autism there are so many issues that parents and children have to deal with daily, but it becomes a double edged sword when race comes into the picture as well.

How can parents feel safe for their children of color dealing with ASD or any disability, especially when they are fighting both battles?  As a global society, we have to do better.  Education and understanding of both race and Autism are extremely important, not only for parents that deal with the disorder but for our community as a whole. No one can do that better than parents, caregivers and practitioners that deal with ASD on a daily basis. That is why I feel it is essential that parents get as much information and resources that are available for our kids of all races and ethnicities. Many times, families of color are not exposed to the resources that are needed and children can fall through the cracks without having the chance to succeed and live a fruitful life. This is unfair and more materials and opportunities must be made available for our communities.

When I first started on this journey, it was a hard road for me trying to navigate this maze of ASD. Fortunately, I loved research and I knew it was imperative that I find out everything about Autism.  In an earlier blog, I stated that I even wrote my MFA thesis script on the subject. As I learned more about helping my son, I knew it was one of my missions to pay it forward. It was crucial for me to use my knowledge to help educate others about children on the spectrum, especially from an African American mother’s perspective. I wanted to inform other parents as well, especially those who had no idea what was out there for their children.

As a society that has dealt with so much racial prejudice, it is imperative that all of us come together to eradicate these forms of injustices. No one should have to deal with the pain of racism or inequality including children of color with special needs.  They are our future. We have to break down these barriers together, so that our kids can be a part of a world that thrives.

Mother’s Day-A Big Thank You to Moms

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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.!!!

Getting Back into the Groove of Things

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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.

* http://www.musictherapy.org

CHECKING OUT THERAPIES

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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.

 

Back in the Swing of the School Year

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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.

 

 

 

 

Summertime Fun

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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.

 

 

 

 

The Power of Communication

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Several weeks ago, I was attending a meeting where parents of children with Autism were gathered together discussing various topics. Usually these meetings are very uplifting because parents will share fantastic testimonies. On this occasion, there were many new parents of kids diagnosed with ASD and a lot of frustration was felt in the room.  My heart felt extremely heavy for the new families learning about Autism for the very first time.

As we went around the room speaking about our situations, one new parent confided some serious issues, regarding their child.  I sat there in awe, thinking how courageous she was to even confide these concerns to the group, something I knew would be extremely hard for me to do in my very first meeting.

Immediately, another parent spoke up. Although she had already took her turn, this mom exclaimed that she too knew exactly what the woman was dealing with. She had gone through the same experience as well with her own child.

Suddenly, I became overjoyed at being a part of the meeting.  If this mom had not confided her deep issues boldly in front of the group, the other parent would have never revealed her same experience.

It’s in these moments that I understand how powerful communication is to our spirit and soul. The lines of communication must be open whether it is for a caregiver of a child on the spectrum or anyone who needs that human connection.  Communication is essential to our ability to function and to stay mentally healthy. 

Sometimes as caregivers, we can become so bogged down in day to day life situations, that it’s hard to remember that there are others on this journey as well. That is why coming together with other families dealing with ASD is so vital. It reminds me that we should never be afraid to speak on our situations, whether it be the first time or the hundredth time, that bond is essential for everyone on this mission.