Month: November 2023

Let’s talk about what to do when there is too much to do. If you are reading this, that means we have one thing in common, we are teachers. And if you are anything like me, you are an overworked teacher. It’s mid-November, right before we leave for Thanksgiving break, I just got two more…

For some autistic children, nonverbal communication is a key factor in their specific diagnosis. However, nonverbal autism can present different challenges. Understanding the uniqueness of autism can be a crucial component for the individuals, their families, and the professionals they work with. Different programs, support, and services can help the child with language development if…

FLORENCE — The Francis Marion University Board of Trustees approved a new bachelor’s degree in multi-categorical special education pre-K through 12th grade and autism studies at its Nov. 16 meeting. The program, expected to start in Fall 2024, will be the first in South Carolina, FMU President Fred Carter said. “We’ll be able to produce…

Teenager creates eye-opening videos that shatter stereotypes surrounding autism and girls “I get that a lot, that because I’m good-looking, nothing can be wrong with me — so I want to show that mental illness is diverse.” The most recent data shows that about one in 68 children in the U.S. are affected by autism…

By Sharon Aron Baron In a move towards inclusivity, the City of Tamarac has launched a campaign to become an Autism Friendly City. This initiative, announced by the city on November 14, is a collaborative effort with Neuro Consulting Solutions (NCS) and Helping Adults with Autism Perform & Excel (HAAPE). This announcement comes on the…

Let’s face it, downtime in the classroom is not your friend, but strategies for student engagement are! I’ve talked about the magic of engagement in this episode of the podcast. Essentially, engagement is magical because when students are actively engaged in activities, you see fewer challenging behaviors and students learn more. But engagement is also…

Your child has been showing signs of autism, but there’s a part of you that thinks it’s too early to intervene. You’ve read about various management strategies, but how important is early intervention in autism? Early intervention services for autistic children have been shown to have a lasting impact on their development. Although there can…

By Brianna Fitchett, MA, BCBA of Playdates are an important part of childhood. They’re an opportunity to have fun, build friendships, and try new activities. For kids with autism and other developmental disabilities, playdates can be both a challenge and an opportunity to develop their social skills. Planning Playdates for Children with Autism Relationships that…

In this enlightening episode, we explore the unique challenges and experiences of puberty in autistic children. Dr. Whitney Casares and I discuss how to explain physical and emotional changes to neurodivergent teens, address sensitive issues like menstruation and self-exploration, and provide strategies for managing social challenges and inappropriate behaviors. Additionally, we delve into the potential…

Source: Alex Aviles / Getty As society continues to evolve, celebrating the unique talents and perspectives of people with autism enriches our collective narrative and fosters a more inclusive world. About 3% of Black, Hispanic and Asian or Pacific Islander children have an autism diagnosis, compared with about 2% of white kids. In the Black…