Read more about the article Does your definition of success set your child up for failure?
My thoughts

Does your definition of success set your child up for failure?

It's pretty crazy how much has changed over the last few years. I was recently reminded of something and I wanted to share this with you all. Gavin has become so much more independent and is working on moving out. I'm trying to help him practice being on his own as often as possible. I work remotely so I can relocate easily and be just as efficient. I've been working away from the house on some mornings because it gives Gavin a chance to operate on his own. I'm usually within 5 minutes from the house, just in case. He's doing so well and with some help, he will do pretty well when he moves out. There are some things I need to work with him on but I'm completely…

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October 4, 2021
Read more about the article If your child struggles with emotional self-regulation (aka meltdowns, anger, aggression, anxiety, etc), Mightier can help
Mightier / My thoughts / Parenting Resources

If your child struggles with emotional self-regulation (aka meltdowns, anger, aggression, anxiety, etc), Mightier can help

Do you have a child that is struggling with emotional regulation? Would you like to help your child learn how to control their emotions in a constructive way, and not resorting to negative behaviors such as tantrums or aggression? Mightier is a game that was developed by Harvard Medical and Boston Children's Hospital to help children learn how to regulate their emotions. It has been found that in just 45 minutes per week, 87% of parents report positive behavioral changes after three months with the program! Kids who have trouble regulating their emotions might resort to more negative behaviors such as tantrums, aggression, and other emotional outbursts. Kids who use Mightier also experience a significant reduction in meltdowns. Developed by Harvard Medical and Boston Children's Hospital, Mightier uses biofeedback-based video…

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October 3, 2021
Read more about the article A Short Guide to Dysphagia in Autistic Children
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A Short Guide to Dysphagia in Autistic Children

Eating, drinking, and swallowing are essential for sustenance and healthy growth. Although it is a natural act for many people, children with autism may find it a challenge. Dysphagia can affect people of all ages, and the severity of the condition can differ depending on the child. For some children, it can mean issues with swallowing certain food items. On the other hand, other children may not be able to swallow at all. When left untreated, dysphagia can lead to severe health problems. Here is a short guide to dysphagia in children with autism. Dysphagia and Autism Dysphagia is a medical term that describes someone who has difficulty swallowing. Children with autism and learning disabilities are more likely to experience coordination and sensory motor difficulties, and this can affect the…

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October 1, 2021
Read more about the article Poor kid is having an anxiety attack
My thoughts

Poor kid is having an anxiety attack

Emmett woke up this morning and doesn't feel well. He's not sick, at least not physically sick. Emmett is a child who deals with anxiety and it can be debilitating at times. When he gets anxious, it tends to manifest physically, usually as a stomach ache. He's not physically ill but is experiencing physical symptoms. Make sense? Anyway, he's really stressed out over COVID and going to school in a pandemic. He's seeing his friends and teachers become infected. Thankfully, to my knowledge, everyone has recovered. Also, Emmett is fully vaccinated. The risk to him is minimal but not zero. He understands that but it's the not zero part that makes him anxious. He's feeling afraid for himself, his family, and everyone else. It's very clear to him that there…

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September 28, 2021
Read more about the article Then and Now: When you first hear that your child is #autistic
My thoughts

Then and Now: When you first hear that your child is #autistic

It's been an amazing weekend. So much has taken place and some of them were milestones. First of all, Elliott went on went out on his first date. They met up at Comic-Con this weekend and spent the afternoon checking out all of the things to see. He gave me permission to share that but I'm gonna leave it at that. I'm so excited for him and I'm glad he had fun. It's a little bittersweet because I can see how fast he's growing up and that makes me a little sad. On the other hand, he went on his first date and I'm so proud of the young man he's becoming. This is an exciting time in his life and I couldn't be happier for him. On a purely…

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September 27, 2021
Read more about the article Ways to increase autism awareness
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Ways to increase autism awareness

Autism is a condition that has become more common in the past few decades. As a result, more and more people are being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, which can be difficult for many parents to accept at first. Here are some ways to promote awareness of autism in your community so that everyone understands. Promoting Research and Science in Autism Image credit In the past, there was not much awareness about this. Still, more and more parents know that you can help your child if they have autism or another form of developmental disability through research studies available worldwide. In addition, some hospitals conduct best free mass texting service on their patients with specific conditions such as epilepsy, including children diagnosed with ASD. Teaching People About Autism You do…

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September 24, 2021
Read more about the article Made a trip to Akron Children’s Hospital today
Akron Children's Hospital / Elliott / Emmett John / My thoughts / Pediatrics

Made a trip to Akron Children’s Hospital today

Haven't done one of these is forever. Elliott and Emmett both had well checks today at Akron Children's Hospital. This was basically playing a bit of catchup as a result of COVID. Elliott needed a physical for school this year and Emmett just needed a physical because it was time for him to have a physical. They did great and both boys needed vaccines. Emmett needed both HPV and flu, while Elliott just needed his flu shot. Emmett claimed that the HPV shot hurts worse than the flu shot. This was his second HPV dose, so he has experienced it before. I was calling bullshit on that claim so we put it to the test. The nurse didn't tell him which shot was which and Emmett was supposed to tell…

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September 22, 2021
Read more about the article Learning from my parenting mistakes
My thoughts

Learning from my parenting mistakes

I like to think that I'm always learning. I've talked about this incredible personal growth journey I've been on the last couple of years. I feel as though I've been learning so much about myself and who I really am. Maybe that sounds a bit weird but we fully embrace the weird in my house, so it's okay. While growing on a personal level, I'm discovering things that I like, dislike, or want to change about myself. This is true in various parts of my life, but for the purposes of this post, I'm going to be focusing on my parenting. Actually, I'm going to be talking about my parenting mistakes, one in particular that I'm currently working to address. For the last few years, my kids have basically owned…

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September 21, 2021