Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a great tool in helping all nonverbal children with or without autism communicate without words. PECS is used in a variety of ways–starting with pictures–to allow the child to make choices and communicate his/her needs. When children can communicate and express their needs, behaviors often can be minimalized resulting […]
Category: Family Resources
Sample Goals and Objective Sample #2
These are goals and objective set up by a “SUPER MOM” Holly Bortfeld. NOTE: It is important to identify Current Level of Performance vs. Goals and Objectives not yet obtained. These are just SAMPLE goals and objectives! Please be sure to customize goals and objectives that meet your child’s individual needs. Current Level […]
Sample Goals and Objective Sample #1
These are goals and objective set up by a “SUPER MOM” Holly Bortfeld. NOTE: It is important to identify Current Level of Performance vs. Goals and Objectives not yet obtained. These are just SAMPLE goals and objectives! Please be sure to customize goals and objectives that meet your child’s individual needs. Current Level of […]
Are You Babying Your Special Needs Child?
By Lisa Ackerman August 2009 This article was hard for me to write. As I outlined the items below, I found myself guilty of many of the behaviors performed with my own child. But at the same time, writing this article gave me the strength to address more of my child’s needs in a proactive […]
Common Acronyms Used in Autism
A AAC – Augmentative and Alternative Communication ABA – Applied Behavior Analysis ABC – Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence ABLLS – Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills test ADA – Americans with Disabilities Act ADD – Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ADOS – Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule AIT – Auditory Integration Therapy […]
Autism: Hope After Diagnosis Video
If you’ve been touched by this message please help TACA in its mission to raise awareness and reach out to support more families. Click on PayPal Donate or click here for more options. Video by Michael L. Hill Music: Five For Fighting – Superman (It’s Not Easy) Special thanks to Sony/EMI Publishing for use […]
What Is Autism? And what are its common traits?
Autism is a devastating neurological and biological disorder that typically affects children between the ages in 18 months to five years of age. Autism currently affects 1 in every 91 children today. It is estimated there are over 1 million people in the United States alone with autism. Autism affects each individual differently and at […]
The Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)
By Carol Frilegh SCD is proving to be an effective dietary intervention for autism and is receiving recognition from DAN! doctors. Dr. Sidney Baker, co-founder of DAN! and the author of numerous books, has said “SCD is the best treatment that I have found so far for many children on the Autism Spectrum.” What […]
GFCFSF School Supplies
Pre-K, Elementary School List A child on the gluten-free/casein-free (GFCF) diet can be 100% on the diet and fail to make the grade if their school supplies have forbidden ingredients. Parents need to be diligent and work with school staff to absolutely make sure every aspect of their children’s school environments are completely GFCF, right […]
Restaurants & Bakeries Serving GFCF Fare
Compiling this list is like hitting a fast moving target. Not only do new ones come up but trusted ones change their recipes. This is the hardest part about the diet so be sure to ask restaurant managers about your child’s specific dietary issues and get confirmation. There is NO GUARANTEE the restaurants and items […]
Picky Kids, Eating, and Autism: One Mom’s Strategy for Her Picky Eater
By Lisa Ackerman September, 2003 Getting healthy nutrition into the bellies of babes is often the source of many discussions, angst, and battles for many parents. Ask the parent of a child with autism or other special needs child about nutrition and their child, and you will often hear a response with groans of desperation […]
Rotation Diet and Hints!
My family started the GFCF diet for a few months and then started a rotation diet to prevent food allergies/intolerances and to identify foods that were a problem for our son. These allergies are outlined further in the Karyn Seroussi’s book, Unraveling the Mystery of Autism. It is also important to note that some autism […]
Protein Sources
Protein is one of the hardest foods to get the right amounts into a special needs child. Here are some suggestions for protein sources for your child’s individual dietary needs. Protein Serving Size Total Grams Of Protein Almond Butter 1 tbsp. 4g Beans, refried 1 cup 16g Beef round roast 3 oz. 25g Black beans […]
Going Organic! (Not Just GFCF)
Having your child eat Gluten Free/Casein Free (GFCF) is the first step in the process. Considering and then, going organic are other important steps in this process for better eating, health and digestion. Organic foods, which have not been sprayed with chemicals or preservatives, (and are not genetically modified, raised humanely and fed organically, etc.) […]
Just Because Something is GFCF…
(or Specific Carbohydrate (SCD), etc.) Doesn’t Mean You Should Eat It By Lisa Ackerman As a parent coming up on our nine-year anniversary since starting the GFCF (gluten-free and casein-free) diet, along with low carbohydrates/sugar, allergy elimination, and the rotation of food families, I often find myself cringing at what folks actually feed their kids […]
GFCFSF Ingredients and Substitutions
The following will help you navigate the many possible substitutions when converting to GFCFSF. Flour Substitutes Milk Substitutes Oils, Margarines and Butter Egg Substitutes Sugars and Sweeteners Corn-Free Vanilla and Vinegars “Soy” and Worcestershire Sauce Beef-Free Gelatin GFCFSF Flours There are many possible combinations of flours you can mix to use in recipes. Please […]
GFCFSF Diet: More Food Ideas
Here are some more: Glutino Pretzels Trader Joe’s Potato Puffs Trader Joe’s Organic Tortilla chips (just corn, salt, & lime) Gorilla Munch cereal Kiwi, mango, papaya HOMEmade french fries Scrambled eggs Turkey bacon Pancakes Hamburger meat Carrot sticks Erwhon Rice Twice Cereal Terra chips = Blues, Yukon Gold, other flavors are GF/CF and corn free […]
Valentine’s Day Ideas
Valentine’s Day can be tough on the GFCF diet if you don’t know where to go for the good stuff. Below are some ideas, tips and resources to make your Valentine’s Day special and yummy! As always, please check the ingredients to ensure that items listed are in fact gluten and casein free. Candy Chocolates […]
Supporting Research for Treatments of Autism
Appeal Resources for ABA The Latest from Autism Bulletin More on Colorado Autism Insurance Case: Q&A with Tappert Family’s Lawyer R. Craig Ewing is managing partner at Ewing & Ewing, the Englewood, Colorado law firm which represented the Tappert family, who recently won an arbitration case for their health insurer to cover autism-related services for […]
Tomatis Listening Therapy (FAQ) & One Parent’s Experience (Case Study)
By Lisa Ackerman – Jeff’s mom This is an account of one parent’s findings of Tomatis Listening Therapy. Not all findings and results are the same for each family/child. This document is to outline; what Tomatis does, how the therapy is done, for how long, and what to expect from a parents perspective. It is […]