My ASD Child

As parents of children on the autism spectrum know, there are a multitude of symptoms:  physical (e.g., fine and gross motor skills deficits, sensory sensitivities), mental (e.g., attention difficulties), emotional (e.g., shutdowns, meltdowns, obsessions), and social (e.g., problems reading nonverbal language, difficulty understanding sarcasm). However, sometimes it becomes extremely difficult for parents to differentiate between (a) behavior problems and (b) symptoms of the disorder that "look like" behavior problems. For example, the Asperger's or high-functioning autistic child who has an allergy or food sensitivity may be cranky during periods of the day. The child who finds it difficult to transition from one activity to the next may experience a meltdown. The child who has difficulty waiting his turn may throw a tantrum. Thus, we need to learn how to adjust our parenting strategies accordingly.  Sometimes, a consequence for misbehavior is inde

We're all dealing with the coronavirus currently, but school will be back in session for most of the U.S. eventually. We have compiled a series of articles that will be especially helpful for teachers and home-schoolers who may have a student on the autism spectrum when classes resume. Here, teachers will find nearly everything they need to know to help their "special needs" students be successful - both academically and socially. "Best-of" Teaching Strategies for Students on the Autism Spectrum: Crucial Strategies for Teachers   Problems in Physical Education Classes   Anxiety-Based Absenteeism and School-Refusal Poor Academic Performance Effective Academic Accommodations   Behavior-Management in the Classroom   Capitalizing on Strengths   The Easily Discouraged Student Difficulty with Transitions Skills and Deficits Teaching Social Skills Understanding the Difficult Student Fact Sheet for Teachers How to Create an Effective Behavioral