The holidays can bring financial stress for many of us. We are bombarded with advertisements for toys, electronics, appliances, and many other things we can
A daily routine and structure are key to building skills children need for growth. As parents, we want to equip our children with the skills
Organizational skills can be a challenge to master for many young children. While children are still quite young, certain daily strategies can help them learn
Toddler biting may be happening for a number of reasons. This behavior, as irritating, embarrassing, or confusing as it may feel, always communicates some type
A confident kid who becomes self-sufficient is what every parent hopes for their children. By encouraging independence, you can help gradually build their confidence and
We see impulse control issues all the time. Running into the middle of the street after you’ve told your child to stay nearby. Hitting the
Social problem solving is figuring out how to handle problems in social situations. Sometimes, children have trouble handling tough situations. They might get upset when
Learning from failure is difficult. Parents want their children to do well and be successful. As a result, we may try to clear away any
The stimulus belief response is a key tenet of the Son-Rise program (more info about Son-Rise here: https://autismtreatmentcenter.org/). When my son was about 5, I
The importance of routines is to support your child’s healthy growth and progress by establishing a consistent schedule and regular routines. Research shows that routines
How to Stop Toddler Tantrums The best way to stop toddler tantrums is to avoid them in the first place! There are a number of
What is a Toddler Tantrum? Toddler tantrums can feel stressful, unpleasant, and extremely challenging for any parent! Tantrums are brief episodes of extreme frustration and
Your newborn’s sleep schedule is an important part of both your and your baby’s health. In this article, Vitalxchange sleep expert Sabrina Stempel explains how
Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) is when babies, typically 6 months and older, are allowed to feed themselves using their hands instead of the traditional approach of
Creating healthy baby sleep habits is like baking a cake. For a successful outcome, you have to have all of your ingredients on hand, each
Screen time for kids. It’s one of the biggest topics parents think about when it comes to their child’s development and health. On the one
Social skills for kids start developing from the time we are born through interacting with our parents. However, as our lives become more complex, so
Picking the best toys for kids can be overwhelming, with so many choices out there. As an occupational therapist specializing in early childhood development, I
You should never be afraid to ask your therapist about what is on your mind. Working 14 years as an occupational therapist, I have realized
Sensory overload during the holidays can occur quickly. The holidays are exciting for children. However, they can often mean new people, places, and foods. All
Creating an environment for sensory friendly trick or treating doesn’t have to be so “tricky”. For most of us, Halloween means dressing up, trick or
Helping your child focus is no easy task. Kids are doing a lot of multitasking these days, and constant distractions compete for their attention. With
Getting messy is a wonderful sensory play experience for young children, and I recommend it. However, sensory integration is more complicated than just getting your
Pediatric Occupational Therapists are typically not a consideration by parents for their children. However, occupational therapists (OT) can be very helpful for a child if
Did you know why it seems there’s a birthday party every week in September? That’s because more people have their birthdays in September than in
Covid-19 and the associated Long COVID Syndrome have changed our lives in many ways. Things we used to take for granted, such as going to
Conducting a college search is stressful for many reasons. You have additional considerations when your child has a disability or mental health issues. Your child
Before heading back to school, follow these tips to help ensure your kids have a safe, happy, and productive year! 1. Make the First Day
Congratulations, Superhero Parents! You are to raise one of the most incredible and unique humans on the planet. I would like to welcome you to
Is your child up late tossing and turning before the first day of school? Don’t worry. It won’t be that bad! Just tell your child
If your child is entering Preschool or Kindergarten for the first time, it can be stressful for everyone. Your little one most likely has mixed
Thinking about these family vacation tips when traveling with a child with special needs will improve your experience. Consider things that will allow you to bring as much routine and familiarity as possible to your trip.
Children may be thrilled by the end of the school year, but summer break can be stressful for parents. While all children do better with
Sensory play for toddlers can be fun and yet provide benefits to your child’s development. Hot weather and the slower summertime pace provide excellent opportunities
Having an emergency preparedness plan in your IEP is essential. It was March 2018; the horrific school shooting in Parkland had happened a month before.
To help kids of all ages find their way into practicing mindfulness, it can be helpful to give them an easy definition they can understand
This is my journey through Fibromyalgia and learning to improve my mental health through self-care. It all started in 2000 as we were going through
Occupational wellness for caregivers is often forgotten. Occupational therapy empowers the individual to overcome any barriers that are getting in the way of living their
Being a special needs caregiver is one of the most selfless roles. As a parent, carrying out this role can be both a satisfying and
yAre you looking for ways to support someone with autism better? I have learned from my son and his friends how people can help and
The transition from school to summer might sound blissful after a packed school year, especially if your child struggles with academics or doesn’t enjoy the
Taking your child to his regular checkup ensures they are on track with their early developmental milestones. Some physicians have training in various areas of
Let’s talk Guardianship for a moment…I want to start by saying I’m not a lawyer (my budget did not have room for law school). So
Building crafts can be fun to help your child learn life skills. So many unique new toys and interactive activities are available to our children now!
We are celebrating the OT (Occupational Therapy) profession. Many have advocated the fantastic work of occupational therapists in our healthcare system. Despite how widespread OT
Kids gardening and being outside in the fresh air have fantastic health benefits. We have also heard that planting flowers can be therapeutic. But did
One of my areas of expertise and interest is promoting healthy balance and boundaries when it comes to technology addiction. It’s a very complex topic
You as parents can be one of the key ingredients to maximizing your therapist’s efficiency in occupational therapy. You spend the most amount of time
You don’t go to the IRS for help with your taxes…am I right? This question is one of my favorite things to say to parents
What is Toe Walking? Toe walking means that a child walks on his tiptoes or doesn’t contact the ground with his heel first when taking
When people find out that I homeschool my 15-year-old autistic** son, I often get asked, “why?” Or “how did you decide to do that?” Or
Occupational Therapists (OTs) are uniquely positioned to address picky eating due to their training in analyzing activities. OTs also understand how to facilitate lasting behavior
Neuroatypical or typical, picky eating is very common among little growing children. In the early formative years, underlying developmental issues could cause your child to reject certain
If you have a sensory kiddo (or adult) in your house who makes a ‘squash’ face (basically the 🤢 emoji), when cooked pumpkin or squash
One of the biggest challenges for many families is dealing with meltdown behavior. “What calming methods have you found successful?” is often a common question.
Being able to have a conversation with someone is something we might take for granted. In most cases, we can ask someone how their day
Does your child struggle with time management? Battle with staying organized? Do they fight the good fight with too much stuff on their desk? If
Ho, ho, oh….no. Things can get really busy now that the holidays are here. Not only are you in charge of taking care of their
.Gifts for building social and communication skills can be both fun and skill-building. The holiday season is upon us once again. Here are some fun
Holiday traditions for the sensory-sensitive can mean some small changes to your usual holidays. ‘Tis the season to be….overwhelmed. While many people look forward to
Family gatherings can be difficult for children with unique issues. Family gatherings are time for food, family, & fun. Families travel to spend quality time
For our families, ‘the most wonderful time of the year,” must also include sensory friendly gifts. Our kids who thrive on familiarity and routine can
In this article, I want to share how to safely and effectively use planned ignoring as a strategy to handle tantrums and other problem behaviors.
If you or your child has a developmental disability, you may be eligible for a Medicaid Waiver. But what exactly are waivers? What do they
Getting good sleep can be quite elusive to many children. I know from experience just how big of an impact sleep deprivation can have on
Autism sleep issues affect around 80% of autistic people. If your child is one of them, chances are you’re not getting enough sleep either.
Your child has newly received an autism diagnosis and you are most likely overwhelmed with all the early intervention – OT, PT, SLP, IEP, etc.
Neurolyrical Cafe is an AWESOME event to explore nonverbal communication in children and individuals organized by I-ASC – The International Association for Spelling as Communication.
According to Child Mind Institute, children with exceptional ability and disability tend to be labeled as ‘twice-exceptional or ‘2E’. 2E Kids tend to be gifted.
Does your child hold it together for most of the school day and then have a meltdown at home? As a pediatric therapist, I often
Getting early intervention services is hard, even for me, a Pediatric Physical Therapist by profession. Advocating for my (therapy) kids has always been a passion
Aching backs and shoulders? Tingling arms? Weakened muscles? Stooped posture? Does your child have these symptoms after wearing a heavy school backpack? Carrying too much
I enjoy cooking and baking with my daughter. Cooking has been a great way for her to learn many daily living skills. What is wonderful
Recently, I have seen many parents ask me about behavior issues and how to understand and manage them better. We often think of bad behavior
Whenever the topic of transition is discussed, it is mostly about the issues surrounding young adults with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities. Usually, there is very
A sensory-friendly Halloween can be challenging to create. For most families with young children, Halloween is a time full of fun, excitement, and anticipation. However,
If you have a child with a disability, planning early and ahead for their future transition into adulthood is very important. In this article, I
Raising neurotypical and autistic siblings can be a challenge. Many parents of children with disabilities become dedicated to caring for that child at the expense
Sensory Friendly Chocolate Zucchini Muffins are easy to make. They are also nutritious and delicious. If you are anything like our family, you or someone
I want to share my journey with my children’s mental health. I am the mother of a beautiful 21-year daughter. She has had more than
Want a pizza recipe to do with your kids? Look no further. Have you ever had a week that really wore you out, and none
At the end of every IEP meeting lately, I find myself asking why this process has to be so difficult. After all, we are supposed
“Everyone wants to support the cute kid…but what about when it comes to advocating for your special needs adult?” It’s a question that often preoccupies
A Passion Economy My first side hustle was working at a toy store. I was a college student working a full-time summer internship at a
For parents unfamiliar with the term ‘summer slide,’ nope, it’s not fun playground equipment. It means the setback in the summer when our children with
In Part 1 and Part 2 about chewing/mouthing behavior in autism, I shared about potential underlying causes. In this final post of the series, I
In part 1, we discussed chewing, mouthing, or eating inedible objects, also known as Pica Syndrome, and possible underlying nutritional deficiencies that can contribute to
What is Pica Syndrome? Pica Syndrome in Autism is when a child has an insatiable need to chew on and/or eat inedible objects. This is
When parenting children with different needs, it’s common for a parent to wonder if you give each child enough time and attention. This often becomes
Autistic healthcare needs are largely ignored by the healthcare system. Below is one mother’s account of her experiences. Just getting blood-drawn makes your blood boil
A Parent’s Guide to Autistic Meltdowns Read more from Suzanne Shaft Suzanne is a fierce advocate for her children and has done much to
Every person is different, so it is impossible to say if someone will continue to have meltdowns throughout their life. My son is 14,
Burnout has traditionally been seen in the workplace, but it can occur in areas where you’re overexerting energy. Sometimes the signs of burnout are subtle
Preparing for an IEP can be a stressful time for a parent. Here are some key questions parents ask about preparing for their child’s IEP.
The diverse team of neurologists, behavior therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists at KidsLink Neurobehavioral Center provide simple explanations on everything related to behavior issues (also referred to as autistic meltdowns or tantrums) in children with autism.
It was not until I became a little boy’s mother that I discovered the strong correlation between food and ADHD / hyperactivity. I did not
Parents dread IEP meetings and often do not know how to prepare and advocate for the best interests of their children. Parent expert Suzanne shares a very important strategy and secret weapon in creating a paper trail the Prior Written Notice, provided by the school and protected by the IDEA law.
Beat anxiety by understanding the common causes and developing day to day habits that are easy to follow and consistently apply. Also a quick reminder infographic!
I’ve been asked by many of my patients and friends about my thoughts on COVID vaccination. Before I received Moderna shot #1, I reviewed all
How one mom’s intuition helped her son’s uncomfortable situation with his foreskin, especially when she was getting no help from her doctor who had never seen this type of case
before.
Here’s my story of how a baby milk allergy turned out to be quite an ordeal. When we became parents for the first time everything
Face masks can be difficult for any child to wear. However, children with autism or sensory issues, it can be especially difficult. It is clear
Your child has newly received an autism diagnosis, and you are most likely overwhelmed with all the early interventions – OT, PT, SLP, IEP, etc.
Here’s a hand sensory processing issues FAQ for parents. Sensory processing issues are common in kids with autism and refer to trouble managing information that
For children with sensory issues, sensitivity to haircuts can be a nightmare. Here are some simple tools and ideas that have worked for my son
A new autism diagnosis can be overwhelming. Parents who have been through this before, have unique experiences to help other parents. Here are one Mom’s
The why, the when and the how of guardianship for your child The rules of Guardianship may vary a little bit from state to state.
Needing help to grow your therapy practice can be daunting at first. Are you looking for new ideas on how to promote and grow your
Maintaining healthy eating habits during the holiday season can be challenging. The abundance of tempting treats and holiday gatherings can make it easy to make
Fall is here! Originally posted to healthyhelpingsnutritionservices.com As the leaves change and the weather grows colder, we are reminded of all the comforting foods and
Finding quick and healthy breakfast options can be difficult. Fast food is an easy option for breakfast, but several make-at-home options may be faster and
Originally posted on Healthyhelpingsnutritionservices.com We have all pulled in to a drive thru and debated how much food to order. Persistent hunger, time constraints and
The Covid Saga continues, and the possibility of sending our kids to schools or other centers outside the home is still unclear. Many of us
A great way to connect with your child and work on their skills is to cook together. Although there are different challenges when your child
We took a detailed look at apps recommended by our members. You can try them all and it does not matter if you a novice
It’s that time of the year; school is ending, and many of us have kids that are transitioning out of their current schools. An exit
Gluten and Casein free (GFCF) diets are very common within the Autism community. Many people believe that it can help with managing symptoms or behaviors
This pandemic has forced many parents to consider homeschooling their children, especially those needing extra support or having medical reasons (to avoid exposure to COVID-19).
Completing an estate plan that takes care of your family and meets the long-term needs of your children can be a time-consuming process. Once you
Not surprising at all that sleep is a hot topic these days…. Blame the exhausting days of childcare, chores and new routines combined with the
Driving with a child who has a disability needs special care. Last week, we talked about how to prepare for your child in the car
In the past year, medical marijuana and autism have been a trending topic in modern medical techniques to treat a large variety of conditions and
Getting Started with a Disability Attorney Looking for a disability attorney who knows your needs as a parent can be difficult. First, you should ensure
Driving is an important part of any parents’ daily life: doctor’s appointments, therapy sessions, school, or playdates generally require some form of transportation, commonly involving
Being a parent comes with many challenges. Certainly, one of the most emotionally fraught challenges is thinking about what will happen to your child after