Is Stimming Always Related to Autism?
|

Is Stimming Always Related to Autism?

When it comes to recognizing signs of autism, often we look for things that are behavior based or developmental based. But what about stimming? For that matter, just what is stimming and is stimming always related to autism? I just had to find this out.  Honestly, I’ve caught myself doing a few things that would be considered as “stimming” behaviors. I just never would have labeled them as such. Does that mean I’m on the autism spectrum? I would be inclined to think not. But, I found out differently in 2021. Yup. I’m also autistic 🙂 What is Stimming? Stimming is also known as self-stimulating behaviors and they are repetitive body movements or repetitive movements of objects. Many individuals on the autism spectrum engage in stimming…

A Parent’s Guide on How To Discipline a Child with Autism
|

A Parent’s Guide on How To Discipline a Child with Autism

This post has been a long time in the making as it’s something that I struggled with for quite some time. And it’s something that I’d like to expand on in the future. Until then, let’s talk about discipline tips for children with autism or ADHD. Now, I know, I don’t talk a lot about ADHD but in recent research, I’ve found so many similarities. So, even though this post addresses autism, specifically; I believe that these tips can also be kept in mind for children with ADHD. Find more tips for parenting an autistic child. Can you discipline a child with autism? Nearly all parents struggle to find the right way to discipline their children, and there are some families in which discipline is…

A meltdown is common place when it comes to raising an autistic child. Here are 5 calming strategies for meltdowns to try.
| | |

5 Tried and True Autism Meltdown Strategies

As a parent of an autistic individual, meltdowns are something that we deal with. These calming strategies for autism meltdowns are ones that we have used time and time again in our household. It’s just part of life, you get used to it and develop autism meltdown strategies to help. These calming strategies have helped our family in the past and I hope that they will help your family as well. Eventually, who knows, you may even get to a point where you’re prepared enough that you can intervene with a meltdown before it becomes full blown. It’s all about timing and getting to know your child’s needs. With Sweet B there are certain things that just work and here are 5 calming strategies for…

Does my child have autism or ADHD?
| |

Does my child have autism or ADHD?

Autism and ADHD are both neurological disorders. Often, when a child is on the autism spectrum, they may also receive a dual or co-morbid diagnosis of ADHD. Sometimes a child with ADHD may also receive a dual or co-morbid diagnosis of autism. In fact, there are some studies that suggest that up to half of kids on the spectrum, also have ADHD. Both autism and ADHD are also far more common in boys than they are in girls… or, we may just be missing the signs in girls. Often, women are misdiagnosed with anxiety and/or depression before they are diagnosed with ADHD. That was true in my case, anyway. I was diagnosed with depression at the age of 14 but wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD and…

How Autism Ruined Yet Another Holiday (Except that it didn’t)
|

How Autism Ruined Yet Another Holiday (Except that it didn’t)

Autism has a tendency of ruining things. Having an autistic child ruined my life. Yes, friends, that was my mindset. But I couldn’t have been further from the truth. I’ll take you back to a time when I thought differently. A time when I was quick to blame autism for just about everything. And yes, I mean autism specifically and not my child. I would never say that my child ruins things because it’s entirely untrue. Her autism, on the other hand, oh yes – I could place blame on that for plenty of things. First, autism robbed me of my hopes and dreams for my daughter once we got the diagnosis. But that was only the tip of the iceberg. Autism would ruin so…

How to Recognize Signs of Autism in Toddlers
| |

How to Recognize Signs of Autism in Toddlers

Understanding Early Autism Signs As a parent, you may wonder if your toddler’s behavior is typical or if it could indicate autism. While every child develops at their own pace, recognizing early signs of autism can lead to earlier interventions, which can be incredibly beneficial. Research suggests that autism can often be identified as early as 12 to 18 months, though signs may appear even earlier. Here’s what to look for and how to differentiate between typical toddler behaviors and potential autism indicators. 1. What Are the Early Signs of Autism in Toddlers? Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects social skills, communication, and behavior. Some early signs of autism in toddlers include: 🚩 Delayed or Limited Speech Development 🚩 Limited Eye Contact and Social Engagement 🚩…