Blog
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 […]
Sports for kids with autism
Sports for Kids with Autism: Top Activities and Support Strategies is a topic gaining increasing attention among parents, educators, and therapists alike. Physical activity isn’t just beneficial for fitness—it can also promote emotional growth, better behavior, and social development for children on the autism spectrum. However, many families find themselves navigating a complex world of […]
How will autism affect my child?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a child perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication. The disorder also includes limited and repetitive patterns of behavior. The term “spectrum” in autism spectrum disorder refers to the wide range of symptoms and severity. Table […]
How Does Autism Happen?
For years, we have been asking this question – how does autism happen? Questions about why ASD is more severe in some people rather than others and why it affects people differently (with some commonalities, of course) are also not known at this time. What makes it complicated: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a group […]
Strategies to use for the park with your child with autism
Visiting the park with a child on the autism spectrum can be a joyful and enriching experience—but without the right strategies, it can also become overwhelming. Many children with autism are sensitive to new environments, unexpected sensory input, or changes in routine, which can lead to stress or meltdowns. With a little planning and awareness, […]
Grocery shopping with your child with autism
Grocery shopping with your child with autism can be a stressful and overwhelming experience for many parents. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Even a simple trip to the store can quickly become a challenge filled with sensory triggers and unexpected hurdles. The grocery store environment can be overstimulating for a child with autism. […]
Can Autism Spectrum Disorders Get Worse?
Autism spectrum disorder is a complex, lifelong developmental disability that typically appears during early childhood and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum condition” that affects people differently and to varying degrees. While there is currently no known single […]
Alternative Behavior Examples to Decrease Challenging Behaviors
What are alternative behavior examples? Alternative behavior examples are acceptable or positive behaviors taught to your autistic child to replace challenging behaviors. Imagine this, your child climbs on the kitchen counter to reach for a box of cookies high in a cabinet. Can you implement a plan to decrease or eliminate the behavior of climbing […]