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Customized Snacks
2008-02-01 06:01:00
Several parents and teachers have asked for ideas about snacks for individuals with autism. Parents are wanting to have a variety of healthy snacks on hand for road trips, after-school snacks, and t.v. snacks. One teacher said, ?Two of my students with autism really like the texture of crisp, crunchy snacks, but another student prefers ...
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Moderating Obsessions
2008-01-31 06:01:00
Having an excellent memory and being able to recall sequences are gifts that can certainly be useful. But some individuals with autism who have exceptional memories can become obsessed with a sequence or a script. Their obsession may need some attention if it interferes with their willingness or ability to interact with other people or ...

Dry Skin
2008-01-30 06:01:00
A friend with autism sent a message inquiring about options for dealing with dry skin. She wrote, ?It is that time of year when we get cracked heels. What should we do when some of us on the spectrum have aversions to lotions and creams?? Good question! Listen Now: or
More About: Skin , Quality of Life

Busting Winter Gloomies
2008-01-29 06:01:00
Many of us are prone to slugishness and low energy in the winter months because of the short days and cold weather. Parents of two sons diagnosed with autism said, ?Last week I noticed both boys were less responsive than usual, and this week I notice that the whole family seems drained of energy and ...
More About: Winter , Quality of Life

Swallowing Soap
2008-01-28 06:01:00
Some compulsive or repetitive behaviors displayed by individuals with autism are annoying or socially inappropriate. But some actions are dangerous. If a person chews on or swallows soap, dirt, coins, rocks, paper clips, or anything else that fits in their mouth, there is a potential for serious illness or injury. Because constant vigilance is difficult ...
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Broken Resolutions
2008-01-25 06:01:00
YIKES! We’ve not even reached the end of January, and every single new year’s resolution has evaporated. We really did have good intentions. Teachers and therapists had resolved to read up on the latest research and strategies so they could increase their abilities to provide top-notch services to their students and clients with autism and other challenges. Parents really meant to help their youngster with potty-training or with daily exercise and they were truly committed to taking time to read to their child every night. But all of the resolutions have already been moved to the back burner. Listen Now: or (more…)
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Casual Conversations
2008-01-24 06:01:00
How do you carry on a casual conversation with a person who is non-verbal? A fifth-grader said of a new student in her computer class, ?I want to be Lucille?s friend, but it?s hard to talk to someone who doesn?t talk back.? A teenager said ?All my brother does is repeat what I say, so ...
More About: Communication , Quality of Life , Casual

Public Bathrooms
2008-01-23 06:01:00
We receive many inquiries about the issue of public restrooms so we are repeating a podcast from six months ago about this topic. A mom wrote: ?I’m a mom with a grown autistic son. Not only do I worry about his safety when sending him unattended into the men’s restroom, but I also worry because ...
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Fact vs Fiction
2008-01-22 06:01:00
A middle school librarian asked for some ideas for appropriate reading material for individuals with autism. ?I have a growing number of students with autism,? commented the librarian. ?It seems to me that fiction is just confusing to some of the youngsters. It is as if they have some difficulty separating fact and fantasy.? Listen ...
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Incremental Progress
2008-01-21 06:01:00
Sometimes we might feel as if we are taking one step forward and two steps back when helping our friends with autism learn new skills and enjoy life. Many individuals with autism have uneven abilities in a vast array of areas, including language and communication, social interaction, behavior, adaptive skills, personal care, academics, job skills, ...
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Stone Soup
2008-01-18 06:01:00
Teachers, therapists, and family members often request ideas for interesting learning experiences for individuals with autism. Cooking Stone Soup is an activity that people of all ages and levels of ability can enjoy as a large group activity or with just two people. Listen Now: or
More About: Communication , Quality of Life

What?s That Noise?
2008-01-17 06:01:00
At the request of a teacher, I spent an hour in her classroom to take a sound inventory and give suggestions for making the environment more pleasing and less irritating to her students, especially those diagnosed with autism. Similar inventories could be taken at home, at after-school programs, at job settings, and other places our ...
More About: Noise

Getting Outside
2008-01-16 06:01:00
?As long as he had three meals a day, my son would probably be happy just sitting on his bed, flapping his hands and rocking,? commented the dad of an eight-year-old youngster diagnosed with autism. ?I?m concerned about his physical health and emotional health, so I?m looking for some ideas for getting him out and ...

Exceptional Memory
2008-01-15 06:01:00
?Our son seems really smart,? commented parents of a four-year-old diagnosed with autism. ?He can count to 100 and recite the alphabet and he knows the words of nearly every song he hears.? Some pre-school children diagnosed with autism display extraordinary memories and an intense interest in sequences. The trick is to help these young ...
More About: Communication , Memory , Quality of Life , Exceptional

Girl Talk
2008-01-14 06:01:00
A pre-teen diagnosed with autism was having some trouble making friends at school because she talked rather obsessively about the same topic. ?I try to be her friend,? commented one of her classmates confidentially, ?But it is really irritating to hear the same story over and over.? Sometimes our friends with autism need to be ...
More About: Communication , Girl , Quality of Life , Talk , Girl Talk

Encouraging Homework
2008-01-11 06:15:00
Concerned teachers and parents have asked for ideas for helping youngsters with autism complete homework assignments. Some students have difficulty focusing and completing a task without minute-to-minute supervision. Others resist sitting down to do homework, some to the extent of melting down every evening. Some of the youngsters don?t seem to comprehend the information at ...
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Conversation Skills
2008-01-10 06:01:00
Some of my friends with autism love to talk. I am tickled that they have good verbal skills and that they want to interact with other people. At the same time, my friends sometimes need guidance about appropriate conversations and etiquette. Today?s podcast will focus on a teen who needed to decrease interrupting other conversations. ...
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Worth the Effort
2008-01-09 06:01:00
?It takes so much time to help my son with every step of getting ready for school in the morning,? commented a parent of a teen with autism. ?But it takes even longer if I let him try to do things himself. I feel like I?m stuck between a rock and a hard place.? It ...
More About: Communication , Quality of Life , Worth

Finding Enough Time
2008-01-08 06:01:00
?The extended holiday break has really helped us see that we spend a great deal of time every day supervising and caring for our son with autism, leaving us very little time to spend time with our other children,? said parents of three youngsters, ages 4 to 9 years. Other parents have expressed some frustration ...
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Building on Strengths
2008-01-07 06:01:00
It can be challenging in some cases, but when we think creatively, we can help individuals with autism identify and build on their areas of strength. In some cases, a “problem area” or “challenging behavior” can be turned into a positive trait or a job opportunity. The key is to focus on what a person can do rather than on what they cannot do. Listen Now: or (more…)
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Perfect Parents
2008-01-04 06:01:00
Expecting perfection only leads to disappointment and headaches. Even the most organized, efficient person eventually discovers that it is impossible to attain the lofty goal of ?Perfect Pare nt.? This is true of parents of typical kids as well as of parents of kids who need additional attention because of autism. Listen Now: or
More About: Quality of Life , Parents

Downward Spiral
2008-01-03 06:01:00
?Sometimes my team and I feel as if we are on a never-ending journey of dealing with one difficult behavior after another,? commented a teacher of junior-high students with autism. Other teachers, parents, and therapists have made similar comments about the on-going nature of behavior management. The undertaking can seem like a downward spiral, but, ...

Fire Drills
2008-01-02 06:01:00
Several months ago I was in a classroom when the school had a fire drill. For different reasons, the drill was a rather traumatic for three young students in the class diagnosed with autism. A similar problem arose when a different school staged an evacuation drill. The experiences helped me understand that some of our ...
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New Year’s Resolutions
2007-12-27 06:01:00
“I can’t believe another year has come and gone,” commented a mother of a ten-year-old with autism. “Although I know I can’t control everything in my daughter’s life, I do want to do what I can to make these years count.” Another parent said she wanted to make some new year’s resolutions so she didn’t let another year slip away. “As the years go by, I realize I am still helping him too much with little things like getting dressed. It is usually easier for me to do things for him, but now that a new year is here, I want to Make some resolutions that can make a difference this year for me and for him.” Listen Now: or (more…)
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Adventures on Wheels
2007-12-26 06:01:00
Once the Christmas festivities are over, it can be challenging to find enjoyable, inexpensive ways to keep our youngsters occupied for the remainder of the holiday break. One idea that has brought lots of joy to families and individuals of all ages with autism is piling in the car and exploring the local landscape. The trip can last 30 minutes or three hours. The goal is to bust up the monotony of the long holiday break while instilling a sense of adventure. Listen Now: or (more…)
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Family Gatherings
2007-12-21 06:01:00
Some families avoid family gatherings during the holidays because of their concern about the potentially explosive behavior of their youngster with autism. Others have expressed frustration about missing holiday events because of dietary concerns, sensory sensitivities, or other issues related to autism. Parents of a third grader diagnosed with autism commented they couldn?t tell if ...
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Home for the Holidays
2007-12-20 06:01:00
Holiday gatherings strengthen family bonds and build memories and traditions that last for a lifetime. Visits with extended family can also be stressful, especially for parents of youngsters with autism. Some parents say they resent advice about raising their youngsters with autism. Others say they tend to find themselves being very sensitive to even minimally ...
More About: Holidays , Home , The Holidays

Bah, Humbug
2007-12-19 06:01:00
Although some people really thrive on all the excitement of the holidays, others are not so filled with Christmas cheer. The ups and downs of Christmas can be challenging for everyone, but particularly for individuals with autism. Being aware of seasonal strains helps us make holiday plans that will increase joy for all. Listen Now: or

Disinterested in Gifts
2007-12-18 06:01:00
Disinterested in Gifts Most of us have learned to expect looks of awe and wonder on the faces of children when they open gifts. When our friends with autism seem apathetic or disinterested, we can be disappointed. It is probably good to be realistic about what response we expect from individuals with autism and to recognize ...
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Wish List
2007-12-17 06:01:00
?Our daughter?s grandparents ask us for Christmas gift ideas every year,? commented parents of a ten-year-old diagnosed with autism. ?She isn?t able to tell us what she wants, and she doesn?t seem particularly interested in anything except her familiar standby toys. This makes it difficult for us to think of any suggestions for special presents.? ...
More About: Quality of Life , List