Autism Family Life Archives

What Are the Benefits of Habilitation for Autistic Teens?

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…

Parenting an Autistic Child | Autism Behavior Issues

How to Help an Autistic Child Who Self Injures

ByKori

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All behavior for autistic children has a purpose and function. Often that purpose is to communicate something. But when that behavior is harmful? That can be so confusing and alarming for parents. But what can we do? How do we, as parents, help an autistic child who self-injures? What is the behavior behind self-injury in autism? Many wonder why anyone would practice self-injury, as it is painful and dangerous. However, with autistic children, self-injury occurs more often than not. There are several theories as to why this practice can be prevalent in autistic children, and there are some methods you can use to help ease this distressing practice. In fact, when it comes to parenting an autistic child, this may be one of the more troubling…

Parenting an Autistic Child

Who Will Take Care of My Autistic Child When I’m Gone?

ByKori

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For parents of autistic children, we may often ask ourselves: What will happen to my autistic child when I die? This is something that I ask myself, almost daily. It may seem like a harsh reality and I won’t lie to you and say that I’m completely at ease about this. I’m not. I do know that I can start planning and that I can do whatever I can to help her. And here’s just one thing that I’m doing to help prepare for her future. How to Plan for Future Care of Your Autistic Child As the parent of an autistic child, you take on many roles. You become their biggest champion, their biggest cheerleader, and sometimes you become their voice. You will more…

Parenting an Autistic Child

Why We Need Autism Acceptance and Not Just Autism Awareness

ByKori

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In 2015, I endeavored to write a series of posts called Autism A to Z. One of those posts was written about autism acceptance. This post was created out of a frustration around autism awareness month and autism awareness day. I wondered- why. Why are we limiting this to just awareness? Why are people stopping at just creating awareness? I wish and strive for autism acceptance. Now more than ever. Beyond autism awareness and instead autism acceptance. Why is Autism Acceptance Important? April is Autism Awareness Month. But I want it to be so much more than just awareness. I wish for autism acceptance and understanding. But how do we get to a point of autism acceptance and understanding? By continuing to raise awareness, by educating,…

Parenting an Autistic Child

What I Wish You Knew About Parenting a Non-verbal Autistic Child

ByKori

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Parenting is not easy, that much is true. Add in the additional challenges of parenting an autistic child, and you may be stretched to your limits. But there are a few things that I would love for you to know about parenting a nonverbal autistic child. Our story is just one of many. There are ups and downs, there are good times and there are some pretty crappy times. Nothing could have ever prepared me for this. But I wouldn’t change a thing. My Reality as a Parent of an Autistic Child If there’s anything that we can all agree on, it’s this: parenting is tough. We weren’t given manuals and sure, there might be books. But no amount of reading will ever fully prepare you…

Parenting an Autistic Child | Autism Routines and Schedules

The Importance of Visual Schedules for Non Verbal Autistic Children

ByKori

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How to Help Non Speaking Autistic Children with Visual Schedules In the past, I’ve talked about the importance of having routines for autistic children. The predictability and structure is beneficial to them and it may help with their existing anxiety issues. It can also help with the transition back to school or between the school year and extended school year. But how do you go about setting up a daily routine? And how do you do this for a non-speaking autistic child? While I would love to tell you that it’s simple, sometimes it’s not. You can try printable visual schedules created from my free printables for autistic children or you can try an app. You can use something like PECS to start with or…