Search Results for: blog 8 autistic behaviors and why they happen

Autism Explores Program Helps Autistic Kids Cope With Flying

Traveling by airplane with children can be a difficult and frustrating endeavor. Children often do not comprehend why the need to sit still for so long, and may not understand how much longer it will be until the flight ends. The whole process involved with traveling by airplane can be especially difficult for children who are on the autism spectrum. There is a program called “Autism Explores” that is designed to help children who are autistic to cope with being on an airplane. There are some things that every parent can bring with on a flight to make things go … Continue reading →

When They Behave Differently at Day Care or School

We want our children to learn that different behaviors are appropriate at different times and places, but they often discover this on their own too. Parents often are surprised to discover that a child who is well-behaved at home acts out while at day care or school or vice versa—a child may be “better-behaved” when he or she is not at home. Other things can differ as well like eating habits, toileting, and sleep habits. Is there anything we can do about this as parents or are we doomed to accepting the differences? Early on, you may notice that a … Continue reading →

“Help Me, I’m Stuck in Autism.”

I once heard about a frightening scenario where a patient undergoing surgery is put under general anesthesia, but only the immobilizing aspect of it takes affect. The patient is able to feel the pain of the surgery and comprehends everything that is happening, but is powerless speak, move, or to ask for help. I can’t think of too many things more terrifying. Is it possible that autistic children are in a similar predicament? Do you ever wonder whether children with autism are imprisoned in a world of total sensory chaos, but on some level can comprehend what they are experiencing? … Continue reading →

Autism: Disease or Disability?

Some experts are suggesting that autism is not a disability, but a disease, like cancer, leukemia, or diabetes. This is a new way of thinking for medical researchers. Their reasoning is that autism has become an epidemic, with numbers continually increasing, and genetic “epidemics” do not exist. The good news is that if autism is a disease, potentially it can be treated, prevented, and even cured. Chromosomal disorders, on the other hand, are not curable. If autism is written indelibly into a person’s DNA, we have to accept it as is, only working to improve the lives of those who … Continue reading →

Bullying: Do You Know Your Child’s Classmates?

Wednesday when I was getting ready for a Halloween extravaganza at my house, the phone rang. “Mrs. Crow? This is Kyle’s teacher. I’m calling because I need to let you know about something that happened to him last week during school.” Immediately I knew this wasn’t going to be pleasant conversation. She continued: “Last Thursday I had to leave the classroom for a while, and meanwhile my aide was dealing with a behavioral problem with one of the students in the hallway. So while there was nobody in the room…um…well, a couple of boys started picking on Kyle, calling him … Continue reading →

Finally, A Child Abuse Story With a Happy Ending

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A few days before Christmas, thieves broke into a group home for autistic children in Dallas and took almost everything that had any value. The home is a part of a nonprofit organization that runs a number of group homes in that city. In this particular home, all of the children are wards of the state because they were victims of abuse and / or neglect. The residents had been away attending a class at the organization’s main office. When they returned, their house had been ransacked. Among the items stolen were appliances, television sets, food, furniture, and the children’s … Continue reading →

8 Difficult Autistic Behaviors (And Why They Happen)

Children with autism have numerous challenging behaviors for parents to deal with. Sometimes the behaviors seem to make no sense whatsoever. The child might seem unreachable, temperamental, and impossible to deal with. However, when we take a look at the underlying deficits that contribute to the problems, we can gain a better understanding. And with a little understanding, we are better equipped to find ways to help. The following is a list of eight typical behaviors of an autistic child, and their likely causes. This is not an exhaustive list of all autism symptoms, and some autistic children will only … Continue reading →

Six Universal Rules of Discipline

I’ve written several blogs on behavior and discipline, but sometimes it’s best to get back to basics. As parents we need to occasionally refresh our memories about the no-nonsense, ABCs of keeping things under control. These principles will work with children who have all kinds of disabilities or behavior problems. You’ve already heard all these points in different ways at different times. But how are you doing, really? Have you drifted into an anything-goes mentality, where you just react angrily to whatever your kid is doing? Is it time to reassess your parenting technique? Here are Six Universal Rules of … Continue reading →

15 “Steps” to Find the Right Education Program for Your Child

The path to find the right education program for your special son or daughter can be confusing. Many parents get lost, stuck, or just don’t know which way to go. Here is a map to help you find your way. (If your child is preschool-aged, he or she will benefit from early intervention.) 1. Get an accurate diagnosis. It’s absolutely vital that you understand whether your child has a specific learning disability, ADD/ADHD, an emotional disturbance, mental retardation, is gifted, falls somewhere on the autism spectrum, or has a mixture of several disorders. If you’re still searching for answers, follow … Continue reading →

Swim, Laugh, and Thrive With Dolphins!

There is something powerful about humans interacting with dolphins. These tranquil, intelligent creatures have been shown to be gentle with children, almost sensing their vulnerability. The amazing impact that dolphins have on special needs children and adults has been documented and described frequently. Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT) has become an accepted and recognized form of treatment for children with disabilities of all kinds. Parents have reported that after their children had the experience of swimming with dolphins their ability to communicate increased, and they “opened up.” Children with pervasive development disorder and particularly those on the autism spectrum have often … Continue reading →