Tag Archives: autism resources

A Time of Renewal

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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 goals for my youngest son in the beginning of the year.

Since my oldest son has now graduated from college, I continue to encourage his ongoing growth and the pursuit of his aspirations. As far as my youngest goes, there are so many possibilities I know he will achieve as he moves into the second half of his ninth grade year, despite any obstacles he may have faced in the fall. Although ASD can bring a lot of challenges, when I look back from January 2024 until now, my son has conquered a lot of goals.

Now that 2025 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 breaking down larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks to prevent feelings of overwhelm while working toward significant goals. Additionally, since our kids usually love receiving praise, providing them with little rewards along the way seems to help their confidence as they continue the journey throughout the year.

Furthermore, moving into a new year also provides an excellent opportunity for parents to gather resources for their children, particularly in relation to new therapies, activities, and camps that may be beneficial for them.

Many school districts host resource fairs that provide valuable information for parents about local events and opportunities specifically tailored for children on the spectrum. These fairs can be a great way to discover new options for your child’s growth and exploration. I highly recommended that parents attend as many of these fairs and workshops as possible to stay informed and engaged in their children’s development.

It is essential that we capitalize on opportunities each year that can facilitate our children’s development and help them realize their full potential. Establishing clear goals for our children and maintaining focus and consistency in pursuing these goals can lead to numerous achievements over the course of the year. This year there are abundant possibilities for growth and success, and every child deserves the chance to embrace the positive opportunities that lie ahead.

Spring Forward

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Spring is on its way here and with that brings on decisions about summer activities for your child or teen.  Now is the time to start looking at various programs, filling out applications and exploring what type of scholarships and funding is available.  For the last few years this process has been fairly easy for me but now that my son is a teenager, I want to make sure the programs are appropriate for his age and abilities.

Some important questions to ask when looking for summer camps and programs are: What is the age group of the program? How are the children grouped (abilities, age or both) and what activities are offered? Specifically, are there themes for each week or certain activities the camp will focus on during the day?

Another key question to ask the coordinators is whether the camp is part time or full time? Some programs offer both and if they do, make sure you find out the specific hours and various fees for each one. The ratio of counselors to campers is another essential question and if the camp utilizes therapists such as OT speech and music.

Although it is only March and summer is three months away, it is vital for parents, especially if you have kids with ASD (because spots are extremely limited), to start exploring options now.  It is important to get ahead of the game so that our kids can have a fun and productive summer and we are not stressed at the last minute to find our children activities to explore.

Under the resources tab I have a list of some websites that may be helpful when looking for summer camps and activities.

Photo by Valeria Boltneva on Pexels.com

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

Hooray for Summer

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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 Awarenes

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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

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.

 

 

 

 

Staying Informed and Encouraged

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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.

Checking Out Resources

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Resources are essential for any family dealing with ASD.  There are so many organizations out there that offer services but sometimes it’s hard to know which places are best suited for your child.

One of the most valuable resources I’ve found is word of mouth.  Talking with other parents and caregivers can be a great asset.  They’ve checked out a variety of sources and can give an opinion on certain services.

The next best place for information is conferences. Most conferences, local or national, not only have a wealth of resources, but you meet many individuals who have either gone through your experience or they can suggest someone who can assist you with your situation. It’s a wonderful feeling to be in the midst of so many parents and professionals who truly understand your needs.

Another great resource are webinars.  Many organizations offer these gems of information by simply registering online.  I enjoy watching or listening to webinars because they fit well into my busy schedule.  Most associations offer archives, so you can view a variety of topics at your convenience.

Families dealing with children on the spectrum need various resources at their fingertips.  It’s vital that we reach out and connect to organizations and people that will aid in the growth of our children.  We must gather as much information as possible to continue on with the journey.

*Please check out the resource page for some organizations that hold conferences and webinars.