Parenting an Autistic Child

Thanksgiving is a time for good food, spending time with loved ones, and for giving thanks. But how do you explain this to your autistic child? Check out my tips for how to help your autistic child with Thanksgiving. And grab a free printable Thanksgiving social story. How to Help Your Autistic Child with Thanksgiving Our kids on the spectrum thrive with routine and structure. But Thanksgiving, and many major holidays, have a tendency to throw all of that out. We, as parents, can do our part with helping them prepare for the upcoming holiday. For starters, let’s take a look at this from our perspective. We may think nothing of making plans to go to a relative’s house, to spend our day cooking, and…

I stopped buying gifts for my autistic daughter when she was 10. And I have requested, with family members and well-meaning friends, that they kindly do the same. Had I thought about it sooner, maybe I would have stopped buying gifts sooner. Not just for Christmas. But for her birthday. Or for Easter. Anytime of the year. Just please, don’t do it. I know that the intent is good, but it’s really not necessary. Did I really stop buying gifts for my autistic daughter? But why, you may ask? Why would I deprive my daughter the simple joys of getting a gift? Partially because, for several years, she just didn’t get it. She didn’t understand why (on this particular day), she was receiving a gift….

When it comes to buying gifts for kids on the autism spectrum, you may be at a loss. In times like this, I resort to gift cards or cash. But, if you would like some specific ideas; here is the ultimate autism gift guide from a mom of a non-verbal autistic teenager. 4 Must Haves for Gifts for Autistic Children Whether you are referencing this for Christmas or for anytime of the year, it is my hope that this gift guide will be of use! Toy shopping according to age, trends, and level of fun may work for other children but for kids with autism, a little more thought and time is required when selecting toys. Several factors need to be considered to ensure you end up…

If your child is gluten free or has food allergies, Halloween can be difficult. But that’s no reason to miss out on the fun. Here are some amazing candy free alternatives for Halloween parties and trick-or-treating. If you’ve taken a look at our tips for how to have an autism friendly Halloween or if you will be using our Trick or Treat cards for autistic kids; maybe you’re looking to take it one step further. If you are searching for candy free alternatives for a classroom Halloween party or to hand out for trick-or-treaters, we have found some of the best for you!   Non Candy Trick or Treat Ideas If you are participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project, or perhaps you just want to get a little…