By Lynne Arnold For the first couple years of my son’s autism diagnosis at 3 years old, nothing was more confusing for me than how to navigate the world of special education. I had put my son on a special diet, studied complex medical interventions and even overcame my fear of giving my son an […]
Tag: resources
Helping Children with ASD Adjust to the Major Fires
By Sandy Shaw, PhD Applied Interventions & Methodologies Dear Parents: This is a stressful time for all of us, includes our children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with the fires raging across Southern California. No matter if children with ASD understand or are aware of what is happening around us, they sense that the adults […]
Closing the IEP Deal
Closing the IEP Deal: A Streets-Smart Approach to Negotiating Your Child’s IEP (PDF) By Mary Romaniec
I Think My Child May Have Autism
by Holly Bortfeld Autism Awareness has come a long way. Now, many more people know at least some basic signs or symptoms of autism. With 1 in every 58 boys now being diagnosed with autism, almost everyone knows someone with a child with autism. The only good news about this is that when a parent […]
Teens with ASD: “Been There, Done That” Advice from Parents
The future depends on what we do in the present. – Mahatma Gandhi Being realistic When your baby is born, the sky is the limit. As all kids grow older, their personalities gradually form them into the imperfect beings that we all become, lead them to new activities, to the pursuit of new dreams and […]
Teens with ASD: College
The future depends on what we do in the present. – Mahatma Gandhi Prepping your teens for college Yes, college is a real possibility for many with ASD. My daughter is a senior in high school this year and we’ve just begun the hunt for schools and scholarships. First word of advice? Start when your […]
Teens with ASD: Siblings
The future depends on what we do in the present. – Mahatma Gandhi The only thing everyone has ever agreed on when your child was diagnosed was that “Early intervention is crucial.” Yes, it certainly is, and the learning curve for autism is hugely steep, confusing and time-sensitive. So when you were so immersed in […]
Teens with ASD: Driving
The future depends on what we do in the present. – Mahatma Gandhi Most teenagers know driving a car is a rite of passage and are anxious to get their license. Unfortunately, not all kids with autism or Asperger’s are going to be able to operate a car safely. It can be difficult to explain […]
Teens with ASD: Extracurricular Activities
The future depends on what we do in the present. – Mahatma Gandhi Just because your child has autism doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be involved in fun activities. Even if your child cannot paddle a kayak, he can sit in a tandem kayak while you paddle. He can also learn how to paddle by himself […]
Teens with ASD: Testing for Adolescents
The future depends on what we do in the present. – Mahatma Gandhi Specialized Tests for Adolescents As kids get older, the usual tests given to younger kids will likely not fit anymore. Here is a list of some of the age-appropriate tests used for adolescents. Social Language Development Test Adolescent Ages: 12-17 Grades: 7-12 […]
Teens with ASD: Transition IEPs
The future depends on what we do in the present. – Mahatma Gandhi What does “transition services” mean? The term “transition services” means a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that: Is designed to be within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the […]
Teens with ASD: Keeping Your Teen Safe
The future depends on what we do in the present. – Mahatma Gandhi Safety: Your kids are never too old that you can let your guard down! Just because your child is older and taller doesn’t mean he or she won’t need the same, or even more, protections then they needed when they were younger. […]
Teens with ASD: Self Advocacy and Self-Esteem
The future depends on what we do in the present. – Mahatma Gandhi Self-advocacy, or speaking up for one’s self, is a very important skill for people with disabilities. But it can also be very difficult. Self-advocacy requires certain skills that a child with autism (especially one who has had many years of ABA – […]
Teens with ASD: How to Start the GFCFSF Diet with an Older Child
The future depends on what we do in the present. – Mahatma Gandhi How to start the GFCFSF diet with an older child As an “alpha parent”, my first instinct is to use the old standby “Because I said so!”. That may work inside your house but your child is going to be out of your […]
Teens with ASD: Medical Treatment with an Older Child
The future depends on what we do in the present. – Mahatma Gandhi Medical Interventions are not just for the very young. The beautiful thing about medical intervention is that there is no “window” during which medical treatments will only work, but rather we’ve seen many families start medical treatments with teens and adults with […]
Teens with ASD: Puberty – What to Expect, Seizures, Anxiety, Sexuality
The future depends on what we do in the present. – Mahatma Gandhi Puberty Sexuality Seizures Anxiety For Girls Only Suggested Reading Puberty: The Great Equalizer I have always called puberty the “great equalizer” because I have seen so many kids drastically change, good or bad, during puberty. Some children, with no changes in […]
Teens with ASD: Social Skills
The future depends on what we do in the present. – Mahatma Gandhi Social skills are increasingly important with age. What is acceptable behavior from a 4-year-old, is no longer acceptable from a 14-year-old. Start establishing appropriate behavior and habits earlier, rather than later, to avoid issues as your child gets older. For example, letting […]
Try, Before You Apply
These are Top-Ten Services requested from the TACA Scholarship Program and the alternate funding sources to pay for them. Lab Tests MB12 Injections Office Visits Supplements HBOT ABA, OT, Speech or Other Ongoing Therapies Lab Tests Most Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS) doctors order test panels that are easy for them to read, […]
TACA and Howcast Team Up to Help Families Dealing with Autism
Do you know of a family with a newly diagnosed child with autism? Not sure how to help? If so, this may be just what you are looking for. Howcast teamed up with TACA to deliver this informative video, “How To Help A Child with Autism.” This three-and-a-half minute video provides parents with strategies and […]
Presentation: Special Education & Advocacy
Presentation: Special Education & Advocacy By Professor Richard Peterson Pepperdine University School of Law Download a PDF of this presentation here.
