My Own Spot
As our children with grown into teens and young adults, we need to help them find a safe haven – their own spot to relax and escape from the constant supervision by adults in their lives. Listen Now:
Archive | Quality of Life
Perfectionism
While it is certainly admirable to focus on the needs of our friends with autism, and to diligently tackle all the issues that arise in the lives of individuals with autism, perfectionism can be counterproductive. Listen Now:
Teacher Attitude part 2
Behavior Issues Communication Following Directions Personal Interaction Quality of Life Social Skills
We are continuing a conversation about teacher attitude – about welcoming students with autism into a typical classroom. In the podcast “Teacher Attitude 1,” we talked about the first of three basic principles for educators to consider when welcoming students with autism into the classroom. In this podcast, we will continue the discussion. Listen Now: [...]
Teacher Attitude Part 1
Behavior Issues Communication Following Directions Personal Interaction Quality of Life Social Skills
Every student – whether they have specific disabilities or not – has their own unique learning style and personality. The teacher’s job becomes even more complex when autism is added to that mix of individual differences. We will look at three basic principles for educators to consider when welcoming students with autism into the classroom. [...]
Classroom Welcome
Teachers on all grade levels have asked for tips about welcoming a student diagnosed with autism into a “regular education” classroom. The overall topic of helping a youngster with autism function well in school could fill several books. Today we will just look at one tiny issue that can make a world of difference from [...]
Winter Blues
I just heard a weather report forecasting several days of cloudy, windy, cold weather. The meteorologist described the upcoming days as “gloomy.” Many of us are prone to slugishness and low energy in the winter months because of the short days and cold weather. Kids and adults can bust the gloomies by staying active and [...]
Be Good
What exactly do we mean when we tell a youngster we expect them to be good? What does a teacher mean when she reports a student was good in class? How can a person with autism who interprets words and phrases quite literally respond to a stern instruction from an adult to “be good” in [...]
Special Valentine Edition
Welcome to a unique Saturday edition of FAQautism.com – a brief post reminding you of our VODcasts – short video segments posted on our website http://FAQautism.com. Click here to listen to valentine songs and learn to cut paper valentines. Click here for creative, fun, and inexpensive ways to say “I love you” to your friends [...]
Constant Flushing
Several families and teachers have posed questions about kids and adults with autism who constantly flush toilets. This obsession not only wastes water, but it also distracts our friend with autism from interacting with other people and disrupts the classroom or family routine. Listen Now:
School Glue
Sometimes very simple, everyday substances can solve complex, challenging issues related to autism. Today we are talking about one such “magical” substance: white school glue, sometimes known as Elmer’s glue. Listen Now:
Helping Hand
Although some individuals with autism are quite self-sufficient, others are limited in their abilities to care for themselves. But even people with significant limitations can lend a helping hand at home or school if given a chance. It is simply a matter of discovering a person’s strengths and giving them opportunities to be in charge. [...]
Underwear Issues
A few brave adults diagnosed with autism have asked about a taboo topic: underwear. Individuals with marked sensory issue often struggle to find clothing, socks, and shoes that are comfortable. Underwear is, of course, an important consideration for people with tactile sensitivities. Listen Now:
Не все ли равно
Реалии аутизма могут вызвать поток проблем, ситуаций, которые заставляют родителей, учителей, психологов и других карабкаться из последних сил, чтобы изменить поведение, научить новым навыкам, решениям проблем, ну или просто формировать (воспитывать) наших друзей с аутизмом. С течением времени, мы понимаем, что не можем исправить все. Когда мы установим приоритеты в наиболее острых вопросах, мы должны [...]
Does It Matter
The realities of autism can bring on a flood of challenges, a situation that causes parents, teachers, therapists, and other to scramble in efforts to change behaviors, teach new skills, deal with issues, and otherwise shape our friends with autism. Over time, we realize we cannot fix everything. When establishing priorities about issues that are [...]
семейные вражды
В прошлом году мы разместили подкаст FAQautism.com – Мамы против пап, – который популярен до сих пор. Мы смотрим на этот вопрос снова из-за постоянных конфликтов в семьях между мужьями и женами. К сожалению, разногласия являются частью человеческой природы, и во многих семьях конфликт из-за методов воспитания детей является нормой. Аутизм просто добавляет еще одно [...]
Family Feuds
Last year we posted a podcast on FAQautism.com – Mom vs. Dad – that continues to be popular. Because of the pervasive nature of conflict in families and between husbands and wives, we are looking at the issue again. Unfortunately, disagreements are part of human nature, and, in many families, conflict over child-rearing practices is [...]
Celebrating 700
Behavior Issues Caregiver Support Communication Personal Interaction Quality of Life Rituals and Routines Social Skills
Everyone join me in singing, “Happy 700th anniversary to you…..!” We are posting our 700th FAQautism.com podcast today, and we haven’t even scratched the surface of the myriad of issues that arise in the daily lives of individuals with autism. The challenges keep coming for all of us, but, fortunately, the supportive autism community – [...]
Hanging Around
Caregiver Support Communication Personal Interaction Quality of Life Rituals and Routines Social Skills
We are all aware of the value of interacting casually with our friends with autism, but we also know of many issues that stand in the way of making personal connections. Our time and energy are limited. Some individuals with autism actually resist social interaction, seem to ignore our friendly conversation, or even appear oblivious [...]
Top Priority
Caregiver Support Communication Personal Interaction Quality of Life Rituals and Routines Social Skills
Autism is complex, touching many facets of a person’s life. Where do we begin? Among the myriad of issues related to autism that demand our attention, what is the top priority? Where do we focus our attention and energy as friends, teachers, therapists, family members, medical professionals, and others? Listen Now:
Rhythm and Rhyme
Today’s podcast is just a quick reminder of the interest many individuals with autism have in rhythm and rhyme. Take time every day to sit down and read some rhythmic stories or children’s rhymes. Sing or chant rhythmic, repetitive rhyming songs while riding in the car. Predictable, clever rhythms and rhymes add joy and encourage [...]