Read more about the article Teaching Life Skills Through Coding: A Guide for Autism Parents
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Autism / Contributed

Teaching Life Skills Through Coding: A Guide for Autism Parents

Raising a child is always both a challenge and a joy. However, parenting a child with autism presents a completely different set of challenges (and unique joys), that many people don’t initially expect. Finding the right way to reach out to a child with autism is often the first as well as the most difficult step for many parents, and there unfortunately isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, as every child is different. However, people have discovered certain patterns and principles about what often works for children with autism and is worth trying out, and what doesn’t usually yield positive results. To that end, here is one idea I started implementing with my child that turned out to be completely life-changing – coding. This may sound surprising at first, as coding is…

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July 31, 2025
Read more about the article 5 Early Signs Your Child May Need an Autism Evaluation
5 Things / Autism / Autism 101 / My thoughts

5 Early Signs Your Child May Need an Autism Evaluation

As parents, we spend so much time observing and nurturing our kids, hoping to give them the best foundation in life. It’s normal to wonder if what we’re noticing is just a phase or something more. If you’ve ever felt that little nudge in your gut telling you that something feels “off,” you’re not alone. That feeling doesn’t mean anything is wrong—it simply means you care deeply and are tuned into your child’s development. Today, I want to share some early signs that might indicate it’s time to consider an autism evaluation. This isn’t about labeling your child or jumping to conclusions; it’s about understanding their unique needs and getting support as early as possible. 1. Delayed or Absent Speech Development Every child develops at their own pace, but there…

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December 27, 2024
Read more about the article Understanding Stimming in ADHD and Autism
ADHD / Autism / Link

Understanding Stimming in ADHD and Autism

What is Stimming? Stimming, short for self-stimulatory behavior, refers to repetitive actions like hand-flapping, rocking, humming, or tapping. For those of us with ADHD or autism, stimming serves as a way to self-regulate our sensory experiences and emotions. It helps manage the overwhelming input from our surroundings and provides a sense of calm and focus. Why Do We Stim? There are several reasons why stimming is a common behavior: Sensory Regulation: Our brains can easily become overwhelmed by sensory input. Stimming helps us filter and manage this input, making our environment more predictable and less stressful. Emotional Release: When we feel anxious, excited, or frustrated, stimming can be a way to express and release these emotions safely. Focus and Concentration: Engaging in repetitive movements or sounds can help maintain focus…

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June 18, 2024
Read more about the article Emmett’s been in a lot of pain lately
Akron Children's Hospital / Autism / Emmett John / My thoughts / Physical Therapy / Sensory

Emmett’s been in a lot of pain lately

Emmett’s been having a lot of back pain recently. He’s been to the doctor and it appeared to be muscular in nature so he was referred to physical therapy. The appointment was scheduled but we had a month or so to wait and it felt like forever. Yesterday, Emmett had his evaluation and they believe it’s muscular as well. He did great and has exercises to do each day. I’ll also now be taking him to PT every Friday morning at 7am through July. I’m not super excited about that but we do what we must and he definitely needs the help. Part of the problem is that Emmett has grown so rapidly recently. He went from this tiny kid who hadn’t grown forever to this giant teenager, seemingly overnight.…

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March 9, 2023
Read more about the article Why a #meltdown kept my son home from school today
Autism / Emmett John / Meltdowns / My thoughts

Why a #meltdown kept my son home from school today

Emmett was in rare form this morning. He began melting down the moment he woke up. I'd say he woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but I don't think it was that simple.  I've spoken many times about my understanding of Emmett and meltdowns.  Emmett is extremely sensory driven, very easily overstimulated. He spends a good deal of time, looking for stimulation his body needs to know where he physically exists in time and space.  It appears that Emmett had a really good time at the zoo yesterday, with his school. It also appears to have drained his resources. When his resources are drained, he doesn't cope well with anything, and today was one of those days.  As far as Emmett is concerned, his day was shot…

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April 28, 2017