What Happens When Your Toddler Has Autism

What Happens When Your Toddler Has Autism

I want to tell you about my firsthand experience regarding autism in toddlers. My middle child is non-verbal, severely autistic. She has autism. The A word that I never wanted to think about before she got her diagnosis and the A word that I still sometimes don’t want to hear. It doesn’t matter how I word it, there are times that I still don’t want to hear it. I say this not because I’m ashamed of her, far from it. I say that because it’s just a part of who she is. Her autism does not define her, but it does explain some of her quirks. Her autism will not got away, there is no cure- and I’m okay with that. Autism is a part…

How to Recognize Signs of Autism in Toddlers
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How to Recognize Signs of Autism in Toddlers

Do you have a difficult toddler or is it autism? Is my toddler being stubborn or is it autism?  Those are just two of the questions that a new parent may ask themselves- especially as the number of children being diagnosed with autism continues to rise.  For our family, we at least had an inkling that something could be wrong. It was just one of those gut feelings that we couldn’t quite shake. That something just wasn’t right.  And it was this one glaring thing, this one obvious sign of autism. Those initial signs of autism can be tough! But would you know what to look for when it comes to the early signs of autism in toddlers? How do you determine when it’s just…

Top Tips to Prepare Your Autistic Toddler for Preschool

Top Tips to Prepare Your Autistic Toddler for Preschool

If you received an early diagnosis of autism, chances are likely that you’ve gone through Early Intervention services. At least that’s how it went for my family, but your situation may be different. Still, if you’re starting to think about what happens with your autistic toddler and preschool, read on. You are just about to embark on a special needs advocacy journey. Is preschool right for my autistic toddler? Maybe you’ve received therapy services in-home to this point, but what happens next? Sure, there’s nothing wrong with receiving in-home services or going to a clinic to receive these services. But your child may need more support. For us, that meant setting up a meeting with our local Committee on Preschool Special Education to decide what would…

What Are the Early Signs of Autism to Look For?

What Are the Early Signs of Autism to Look For?

If diagnosed early, you can start therapy sooner. They key, of course, is knowing about the initial signs of autism. But just what are the early signs of autism to look for?  In recent years, more and more children in the United States and worldwide, are being diagnosed with autism. In the United States, the rate is holding steady at 1 in 44 children according to the CDC. I’m a mom to one of those children, as you know. Parenting an autistic child has not always been an easy journey. I’ve had my fair share of wins and I’ve had my fair share of moments where I was ready to just quit and be done. Getting through the initial diagnosis was an accomplishment within itself….