Author: Aaron Bolton

Promoting Successful Transitions

TRANSITION. To parents who have children on the Autism spectrum, this word can bring about an abundance of feelings. From nervousness, to fear, to anger, parents dread the thought of having to encounter this change. When your child is in a placement where you know the teachers and the teachers know your child, the thought […]

To my daughter for autism awareness month

Dear Serena-pie, You were 16 months old the first time you met your brother, Hayden. In a pink frilly dress you came to the hospital, more than likely not knowing what was going on, with a huge smile and your always cheerful bounce. You took a look at your brother, stroked your finger down his […]

BCBA: Why does it matter?

BCBA. It always surprises me that there are so many varied emotions associated with these 4 letters. For those of us who get to write them after our name, that emotion is pride in being affiliated with a field that matters greatly to us. For others there is sometime defensiveness or denial. I hear so […]

Why is reading comprehension critical?

What does it mean to read? In a teacher’s world of education and autism I will often hear people say, “so and so is able to read,” “reading is a strength for them!”, “they are such a good reader!” or even, “I always have them read out loud in class!” It makes me pause for […]

Oh, the Weather Outside Is Frightful…What To Do On Unexpected Snow Days!

Ahhhh, the unexpected snow day. While some see this as an unannounced blessing, a chance to stay at home in your sweatpants and binge-watch your favorite shows, others cringe at the thought of checking their email at 5am and reading the line “All county schools are closed due to inclement weather.” If you or your […]

Surviving the Holiday Season

Hi Families! I’ll admit it. I didn’t always love December or the holidays. Growing up in a big, Italian, Catholic family lent itself to a lot of crazy, loud gatherings, hugs and gifts from people I barely knew. It wasn’t until I met my husband and had my own children that I really started embracing […]

What I’m thankful for this Thanksgiving

“I’m thankful for apple pie.” This was my son, Hayden’s, statement the first time he participated in our Thanksgiving family tradition of saying what we’re thankful for. Cute, right? The funny thing is that he’s never eaten or wanted to eat apple pie. Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, and football. What most of […]

Trick-or-Treat?

October: the time of year when the leaves start turning brilliant shades of yellow, red and gold. When it starts having a bite in the air and we pull out our warm sweaters and think about building roaring fires in the fireplace. It’s also that time of year when witches, ghosts and goblins come out, […]

Autism Program Checklist

This checklist will help guide you so that you can make an informed decision regarding your child’s programing when visiting The Shafer Center for Early Intervention or any other schools and covers topic relevant to programs, staffing, facilities and parent communication. Click here to download checklist.