8 Sensory Friendly Birthday Party Tips for Children with Autism

8 Sensory Friendly Birthday Party Tips for Children with Autism

ByKori
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Birthday parties are usually a source of disdain when it comes to my autistic child. She hasn’t attended many, aside from parties for family members, and to be perfectly honest; I’ve never really gone out of my way to host a birthday party for her. Or at least not in the sense of: theme, inviting classmates, planning kids party activities, etc. And it’s mostly because of her birthday being in the summer (and the day before the 4th of July) and well, birthday parties are draining for this introverted mom. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t plan for a fun birthday party for your autistic child, nor should you rule it out completely. Find my birthday party planning checklist in the Autism Parenting Resources…

My Autistic Child Ruined My Life – and other Lies I Used to Tell Myself

My Autistic Child Ruined My Life – and other Lies I Used to Tell Myself

ByKori
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For those who do bother to read, this post was originally written in 2017. It was last updated in 2019. It is now being updated today, May 27th of 2022. It is my acknowledgement that yes – parenting is stressful. it is my acknowledgement that yes – I often questioned if I was failing my autistic daughter. It is my acknowledgement that yes – I often wondered what help was really available. You may judge me for my previous thoughts, my previous wonderings, my previous worries. But until you have walked a day in my shoes? I would advise that you not. The original introduction to this post is below in italics. This is one of those posts that I never thought I would write….

If you're planning a vacation with your autistic child, you already know how intimidating the thought can be. Here are my must have items for traveling with an autistic child. What are yours?

My Must Have Items for Traveling with an Autistic Child

ByKori
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When it comes to making vacation plans with an autistic child, you may be a little overwhelmed! Fear not. Here are my best tips & must have items for how to travel with an autistic child.  Traveling with an autistic child can be difficult, especially if you’re on the road for a long period of time or facing a layover on a cross-country flight. It’s not something that I ever entered into lightly and not without plenty of planning and research beforehand. With thanks to The Network Niche Influencer Agency and Fun and Function for sponsoring this conversation; we’re sharing our list of must have items for traveling with an autistic child and including a free printable check list for you! Be sure to chime in…

The Benefits of Visual Supports for Autistic Children
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The Benefits of Visual Supports for Autistic Children

ByKori
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Whether you are using them as a visual schedule or to support a child in the classroom, you’re likely familiar with the benefits of visual supports for autistic children. These free printable resources for autistic children and their families are invaluable when it comes to the day-to-day. What are Visual Supports and How Do You Use Them? A visual support simply refers to using a picture or other item to communicate with a child who has difficulty understanding or using language. Visual supports can be: When it comes to children on the autism spectrum, visual supports often serve one of two purposes: Visual supports can be used with any age and can be used by teachers, parents, or other caregivers as well.  Why are visual supports so…

How to Silence the Nagging Mom Guilt after an Autism Diagnosis
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How to Silence the Nagging Mom Guilt after an Autism Diagnosis

ByKori
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One of the main things that I struggled with after my daughter was diagnosed was mom guilt after the autism diagnosis. To be perfectly honest? There are still days that I struggle with this. It wasn’t just limited to the initial autism diagnosis, as I’ve come to learn. Did I Cause My Child’s Autism? I can’t tell you the number of times I asked myself this question and I can tell you this:  You did not cause your child’s autism. Autism is a developmental disability and a neurological disorder.  In the 1950s and 1960s, the term “refrigerator mothers” was used. Parents, and in particular moms, were accused of causing their child’s autism. Child psychologist, Bruno Bettelheim came up the term to describe moms who are emotionally unavailable….

How to Use a Weighted Blanket For Calming an Autism Meltdown

How to Use a Weighted Blanket For Calming an Autism Meltdown

ByKori
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There has been a lot of buzz around using weighted blankets for soothing anxiety or getting a better night’s rest. As a mom of an autistic child, I can tell you– believe the hype! Here’s how to use a weighted blanket for calming an autism meltdown. Incorporate this or add it on to one of these calming strategies for autism meltdowns. How a Weighted Blanket is Beneficial for Calming Meltdowns First, let’s talk about those weighted blankets. A weighted blanket is a blanket that is filled or lined with evenly distributed weight. The weight will vary depending on the intended user and the size of the blanket. The blanket’s purpose is to mimic a feeling of being held or applying needed pressure. One of the biggest benefits…