Blog
Autism-Friendly Jobs: Helping Your Child Build Toward Independence
Important Note: LeafWing Center Does Not Hire for Jobs LeafWing Center is not an employer and does not hire people for jobs. This blog post is for informational purposes only. Our goal is to provide helpful resources and guidance to assist autistic individuals in finding workplaces that support their strengths. Every parent wonders about the […]
Literacy Strategies for Autistic Learners: ABA-Based Reading Support in Southern California
Helping children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) learn to read is both a challenge and a joy. Many autistic learners show remarkable word recognition skills—sometimes even hyperlexia, where they decode words far beyond their age level. Yet comprehension often lags behind. Parents and teachers can bridge this gap by combining structured phonics instruction with whole-language […]
Observational Learning and Children with Autism
One of the main obstacles to learning that many children with autism face is a lack of observational learning skills. Observational learning requires the coordination of cognitive functions and the processing of social information. Cognitive functions include the domains of perception, memory, learning, attention, decision-making, and language abilities. We will explore the reasoning behind why […]
What is ABA therapy?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is an evidence-based scientific technique used in treating individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. In general, ABA therapy relies on respondent and operant conditioning to change or alter behaviors of social significance. ABA therapy differs from behavior modification in that it changes behavior by first […]
ABA Therapy at Home in Southern California
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy isn’t limited to clinics; it can be powerfully and effectively delivered right in your home. With thoughtful planning and expert guidance, in-home ABA therapy allows children with autism to learn and grow in the comfort of their own environment. Trained behavior technicians work directly with your child during scheduled sessions, […]
ABA Therapy in Everyday Life
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is one of the most effective, evidence-based approaches for helping children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) build meaningful skills. But for many families and educators, ABA can feel clinical or distant, something reserved for therapy rooms and specialists. In reality, ABA is most powerful when it’s woven into the everyday […]
Using Time Warnings To Help Students With Autism
Time warnings are a powerful tool to help students with autism navigate daily transitions with greater ease and confidence. Whether it’s moving from playtime to lunch or shifting between classrooms, transitions can be one of the most challenging parts of the day. For many autistic students, the sudden end of a preferred activity or the […]
Transition strategies for autistic students
Transition strategies for autistic students can be very beneficial when helping them move successfully from one activity to another. Every student transitions multiple times throughout the school day, and these moments can be especially challenging for those with autism. Providing autistic students with warnings about the time remaining in an activity offers a helpful frame […]
Teaching Action Labels to Children with Autism
Oftentimes, parents of children with autism face challenges when their child struggles to meet typical developmental milestones. One effective way to support language development and help children understand their surroundings is by teaching action labels. These labels provide children with a means of communication, making daily routines smoother and more predictable. They also expand vocabulary […]
Using Visual Supports to Help Students with Autism in the Classroom
Students with autism often benefit from visual supports that guide them through daily routines, tasks, and behavioral expectations. These supports not only help with task completion but also reduce anxiety, foster independence, and improve classroom behavior. This guide explores the most effective visual strategies—including visual schedules, activity completion cues, choice boards, and star charts—and provides […]
Strategies for autism in the classroom
Each student with autism is unique, and therefore, each student will have unique needs in the classroom. However, many strategies and basic principles of effective instruction can be implemented for students with autism within the classroom. Many of these strategies provide structure and teach a variety of skills across content areas of the natural and […]
Graphic organizers for students with autism
A graphic organizer is a visual support that visually represents facts and concepts within an organized framework. Graphic organizers arrange key terms to show their relationship to one another, providing abstract or implicit information in a concrete, visual manner. They are particularly useful with content area material in K–12 curricula. Graphic organizers are effective for […]