The chaos of packing, airport crowds and security, lengthy car rides and yes, even overexposure to family and friends is enough to erode any holiday traveler’s festive spirit. Add traveling with children into the equation, especially when special needs are involved, and some parents might wish they could just stay home. But a few preparations, [...]
Kids with sensory processing disorder often experience anxiety. They are overwhelmed by all the transitions and unpredictable events taking place in their daily lives, but often cannot pinpoint the source of their discomfort. They might become irritable and appear to be irrational. Tantrums often become a modus operandi to attract [...]
Playing games can be a great opportunity to teach kids life skills in a fun and relaxed setting. General skills that can be targeted, taught and/or improved include:
cognitive/reasoning skills
receptive and expressive language
developing vocabulary and spelling
use of prepositions and ordinals- fist, then, after
following multi-step directions
delayed gratification
peer interaction
working in a group
turn taking skills
resolving [...]
Perseverative behavior is a well known tendency among individuals with autism and similar disorders along the austistic spectrum. Repetitive movements, echolalic speech patterns, rigidity of thought, obsessive interests, and ritualistic behaviors have in fact become hallmark features of autistic disorders and are often used for diagnostic purposes. As clinicians, [...]
A year ago today, my 4-year-old daughter was scared to run. She cried at the playground and clung to my leg. She could not pump on a swing, climb the monkey bars or enjoy a see-saw. She shrieked in fright when a pack of 4-year-old boys and girls came too close. She [...]
My daughter would like to know who is on the phone. She has been cooperative all morning and shared with her brother. But now, she begs for my attention. The scene:
4 year old:”Mommmmy, who are you talking to?”
Myself (preoccupied) :”Mmmm”
4 year old (shrill) : “WHO?”
Myself (scattered): Um Hum
4 year old: “Waaaaa, tell [...]
We have dreams and expectations for our children. We are sure that they will be successful. Perhaps they will achieve what we were unable to accomplish. They will make ourselves and others proud.
But many of us get a curve ball. A child who is totally different - it can be personality, motivation, cognition, communicative [...]
Our kids are bombarded by technology beginning at birth. By the age of 4, many children can manipulate the computer better than their parents can ever dream to themselves. Our children’s attention spans continue to decrease as Wii becomes the favorite national pastime. The increased time they spend with technology translates into less time engaging [...]
Learning can be difficult. Baby falls, bumps and bruises when he learns to walk. Entry to the official Two-Wheeler-Bike- Riding-Club is almost never achieved without proud displays of skinned and bloody knees to prove success. Surviving sibling rivalry, playing sports, overcoming bullies at school, sitting through impossible exams, learning to drive and enjoying relationships all [...]
For many of us, our early experiences in the world of special needs feature those Hallmark inspirational moments. You know what I mean: the fable about the animal school, the story of the woman adjusting to Holland though she dreamed of Italy. And as long as we’re involved with children with special needs, it behooves [...]
