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Why Routines and Schedules are Important for Autistic Children

A little bit of structure is beneficial for anyone, I think. But when it comes to individuals with autism, I would argue that there is a need for routine and consistency. That’s why we’re talking about the importance of routine for autism in this post. Beyond that, we’re going to talk about how to establish routine and structure in small steps so that it becomes habit. This is important, not only for your child, but also for you so you can create a functional environment that works for your child and not against them. Why You Need Routine for Your Autistic Child There’s nothing wrong with a little structure and predictability in life. Personally, I prefer having a schedule or at least some sort of established…

Homeschooling

Flexible and Faith Based Reading and Language for Grades 1-8

ByKori

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As we are continuing to develop our homeschool plans for our youngest, the neurotypical child who just so happens to be my highly sensitive, strong-willed, and gifted child; we are looking for the foundational elements. My daughter loves to read and we are always looking for opportunities to utilize curriculum that develops her critical thinking skills. For our family, Pathways is such an ideal fit. I was compensated for my time reviewing this product/service, writing this review, and hosting the giveaway. Easy to Use Homeschool Curriculum My youngest taught herself how to read and because of that, our homeschooling curriculum choices have been literacy rich. I wanted to find curriculum that was flexible for our homeschool day, and that was also engaging for her. Added perks…

Parenting an Autistic Child | Autism Calming Strategies

Creating a Calming Environment for Your Autistic Child

ByKori

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One of the things I’ve often wondered about in this journey of parenting an autistic child, was how to best set up our home. How could we best set up the environment to support the autism calming techniques that we’ve utilized over the years? Sure, we had to think about a few things when it came to using visual supports but what else could we do? It wasn’t just about the visual senses, but extended to all of the senses. I also had to be mindful about the fact that both my autistic daughter and I have a slew of seasonal allergies to deal with. My daughter, for example, is allergic to sunflowers and the scent of cloves. So how could we use essential oils…

Parenting an Autistic Child

What are the Childhood Signs of Autism?

ByKori

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Autism spectrum disorder presents early in life and it is important for parents to know what the initial signs of autism are. There are many areas to to watch, including: communication, social skills, and other areas of development. Some may be more obvious than others. So how do parents really know? How can parents be fully prepared? I’m sharing some tips on how to recognize some of the more common childhood signs of autism. Please note, however, this is not an extensive list. Common Childhood Signs of Autism At present, there is no medical or genetic test available that is specific to autism. There are diagnostic evaluations and tests, depending on the part of the world that you live in. But the actual diagnosis is determined by…

Parenting an Autistic Child

Coping Skills for Parents of Special Needs Kids

ByKori

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Parental stress is a very real thing. To help against it, we need to develop coping skills like the ones suggested in this post. From one parent to another, here are essential coping skills for parents of special needs kids. I’ve been on the journey of special needs parenting since my son was an infant. He was born three months premature and with that early birth came a few health complications. A few years later, my daughter would be diagnosed with autism as a toddler. I won’t lie and say that this has always been easy. I’m not perfect and over time, I’ve had to develop coping skills. So today I’m talking about coping as a special needs parent. This is something that I’ve touched on…

Parenting an Autistic Child

What Are the Benefits of Habilitation for Autistic Teens?

ByKori

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As your child with autism becomes a teenager with autism, in the United States, services will begin to open up that you may not have had access to before. It’s just another confusing step on this overall autism parenting journey. These services are called habilitation services. But just what are they? And are they really beneficial? I believe that absolutely yes, habilitation services are beneficial for autism when delivered in the right context and setting. What is habilitation for autism? For the next part of Autism A to Z, I’m bringing to you something that many won’t have to deal with until their child with autism is an adult with autism. For me, personally, this is something that I am already looking into (waiting lists…