Functioning

Tapping into Your Child’s Potential

700 hours, 11 months and 56,000 Legos went into creating the world’s largest Titanic replica. At the center of this creation was a 10-year-old boy from Iceland with a passion for Legos and a deep interest in the Titanic. Brynjar Karl Bigisson, now 15, is on the Autism spectrum. Like many children with autism, he

Four ways dogs help children with autism

For families of children with autism, the decision to get a dog can be a challenging one. In addition to the usual considerations of care, cost and training needs all families must consider when adding a dog to the household, ASD families also need to consider whether having a pet will provide therapeutic benefits to

Uncovering the Truth About Autism and Anxiety

What Understanding Anxiety Means for Treating Autism Autism and Anxiety are Linked—But Not in the Way Most People Assume Two recent studies published this month indicate that anxiety heightens the threat response and makes social communication more difficult for children with autism, rather than the other way around. While it is well-known that anxiety is

Top 5 Myths About Sign Language and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Sign Language and ASD: Myth Vs Fact Until very recently, many special education experts have been reluctant to teach American Sign Language (ASL) to children with autism or to encourage parents to practice signing at home. This reluctance has been due to a variety beliefs and biases against signing—most of which have been proven false

Drowning Prevention for Children with Autism

Specialized swim lessons and water safety courses can save lives for kids with ASD If you’re the parent of a child on the autism spectrum, it’s likely that accidental drowning is high on your list of fears. Water safety and drowning prevention for children with autism are absolutely essential skills to begin teaching early and

Autism in Adulthood: Preparing Your Child for Independent Living

Autism in Adulthood

It’s a question that looms large for every parent of a child with autism. I finally feel like I’m starting to understand the realities of living with a child on the spectrum—but how will my child manage autism in adulthood? Will she be able to handle living on her own, or will she need some