Celebrating 10 Years
Hopeless. Frustrated. Sad. Inadequate. These were some of my feelings when my son Hayden was diagnosed with autism over ten years ago. It was a terrible feeling to not know how to be a mother to your child. You worry about doing the wrong thing all – the – time. Or saying the wrong thing. […]
Back To School!
It’s that time of year again. Back to school! The start of a new school year can bring a lot of changes, and therefore a lot of anxiety. The best advice to parents is to be prepared. Here are some helpful tips to make sure parents and students are ready and excited for a wonderful […]
How Far We’ve Come
Wow how far we have come in 10 years. Back then I worried if Hayden would speak. Now there are times I would like a little peace and quiet. Yes, I still wonder if he will be able to live independently or go away to college. But I know he can certainly live at home […]
Planes, Trains, and Autism: Making Travel Easy For You and Your Child
Traveling with someone with autism may seem daunting, however with the proper preparation, anything is possible. As with any trip, it is necessary to plan out the activities and travel in advance in order for everything to be as smooth as possible. This is not to say that everything will be perfect, but rather there […]
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 […]