Written by: Dolores Alvarez, BCBA ABA therapy has been labeled as the most effective treatment for individuals with Autism. Many people ask how effective or successful is it? The effectiveness of ABA can be determined by a few different factors. The Earlier, The Better The earlier a child receives ABA therapy, the better. Research has…
Written by: Cydnee Taylor, Program Manager Telehealth sessions can be tough on our learners. Here are tips to set you learner up for success! Do a physical activity before a telehealth session! This will allow your kiddo to get their wiggles out before sitting down for session. Identify an activity your child wants to do…
Written by: Cydnee Taylor, Program Manager Parent involvement in behavior sessions are crucial! Learners are more likely to reach behavioral and skill goals when their parents are involved because it allows the learner more opportunities to practice. Here are five ways to increase positive behaviors in your learner with parent involvement. Asking, “How was session?” This open-ended question will allow the…
Explore ten gross motor activities for autistic children that can strengthen muscles while developing valuable skills. Many choices are readily available for parents and professionals working on meeting gross motor goals in a child’s treatment plan. Some activities are challenging while others are pure fun. List of Ten Gross Motor Activities for Autistic Children 1.…
Step 1: Determining A Child’s Readiness Many parents are eager to start a toilet training program for their children. However, some parents may be ready to start before their children are ready. Starting before a child displays the necessary readiness signs will most likely increase the amount of time it takes for the child to…
Editor’s note: In the last year, I’ve seen several newspaper articles with headlines that suggest a “cure” for Down syndrome is within reach. If you read beyond the headlines, you understand that it’s really not happening tomorrow or even next year. But, not everyone reads beyond the headlines and sometimes well-intentioned friends, family members and…
What does research tell us about families with children with Down syndrome? There have been a number of useful studies of the experiences of families with children with Down syndrome in recent years, particularly in Australia, the USA, and the UK. These studies have moved on from simply looking for negative effects and have taken more sophisticated approaches…
A neurodiversity perspective can help educators create learning environments in which all students flourish. It was my first day as a special education teacher in Montreal, Canada, and my supervisor was taking me around to see some model programs in other schools. At the door of the first classroom, the teacher welcomed us warmly. As…
Recently I read on the Internet that I was showing my age because I was so concerned about constant video game playing. What I am worried about is when video games become such an obsession that they interfere with schoolwork or getting a job. In a new study led by University of Missouri professor Micah…
Back in the 1980s and 1990s, a highly controversial topic of conversation among parents and professionals was the question, “Should we tell our child that he has autism?” Today we have learned that such self-knowledge is essential, that children need to understand how and why they may feel different from others around them, and what…