All month long for the month of April, we celebrate Autism Awareness Month. This month is meant to focus on sharing stories and providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with Autism. Autism or ASD affects 1 in 68 children and often presents itself differently in each person is all creeds, all religions, all races and both genders.  In order to foster more support & awareness, inclusive education is essential. Children and adults who have Autism are capable of so many amazing things and are more than their diagnosis. 

April 2nd is widely known as Autism Awareness Day which is meant to have individual Autism organizations come together all around the world to aid in things like research, diagnoses, treatment, and acceptance for those with a developmental path affected by Autism.

How you can participate in Autism Awareness Month

• -Get involved with a local Organization; nothing beats hands on learning
• -Educate yourself, because Autism is a vast spectrum, reading and learning as much as you can is essential
• -Join in on social media; social media allows for you to “meet” people who have Autism and hear their stories
• -Donate; research and outreach are essential to helping people understand Autism, anything can help

At the core having this time to focus on Autism, is to ensure that those who are living with Autism can have fully and happy lives as well as educating the public in a meaningful way. Something as simple as a share on social media to something grand like affect legislation are all a part of the journey. Currently there is no cure for Autism however early intervention and treatment, such as Occupational Therapy can greatly improve the quality of life for those with Autism.

For more information about Autism sites like Autism Speaks and Autism Society are excellent. For more of our post be sure to read out blog HERE

If an ABA therapist is engaged in teaching your child emotions, they may break the concept of emotions into individual emotions. Each emotion will be broken down into specific lessons.
Learn more about ABA at hiddentalentsaba.com

Medicaid is a government health insurance program that helps low-income individuals and families pay for medical care. Many people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) qualify for Medicaid services, including ABA therapy.

In this article, we will explore the requirements for qualifying for ABA therapy under Texas’s Medicaid program.

But first let’s get a better understanding about ABA therapy.

What is ABA therapy?

ABA therapy is a type of behavior therapy that uses positive reinforcement to encourage desired behaviors and discourage undesired behaviors.

ABA therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for ASD, providing significant improvements in social, communication, and behavioral skills.

ABA therapy is usually provided by a therapist in a one-on-one setting, and can be adapted to meet the unique needs of each individual with ASD.

Does Medicaid cover ABA therapy in Texas?

Historically ABA therapy was not covered under Texas Medicaid; however, in 2019, the Texas Legislature passed a bill that requires Medicaid to cover ABA therapy for children with ASD. Due to COVID-19, coverage for ABA therapy was delayed until its implementation in February 2022.

Now, over 50,000 children with ASD in Texas will have access to this life-changing therapy.

Now that we know that Medicaid covers ABA therapy in Texas, let’s look at the requirements to qualify for coverage.

How can my child qualify for ABA therapy under Texas Medicaid?

In order to qualify for ABA therapy under Texas Medicaid, your child must meet the following criteria:

• Your child must have been diagnosed with ASD within the past 3 years.
• Your child must be under 21 years old.
• You will need to have a current prescription for ABA therapy from a licensed physician or other healthcare professional.

If you think your child may qualify for ABA therapy under Texas Medicaid, the best way to find out is to contact your local Medicaid office. A caseworker will be able to help you determine if your child qualifies and what steps you need to take next.

How can Hidden Talents help with ABA therapy?

At Hidden Talents, we are passionate about helping children with ASD reach their full potential.

Our team of highly trained and experienced therapists provide individualized ABA therapy that is tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual.

If you would like to learn more about our ABA therapy services, or if you have any other questions, please contact us today. We would be happy to answer any of your questions and help your child get started on their journey to discover their hidden talents.

A letter of medical necessity is a document that is used to justify the need for certain treatments or services. It can be used to get insurance coverage for services like ABA therapy, or to prove to a school that a child needs special education services.

In this article, we will discuss how to write a letter of medical necessity for ABA therapy to send to an insurance provider, and what to include in it. We will also provide a sample letter of medical necessity.

How do you write a letter of medical necessity for ABA therapy?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the letter will be tailored to the specific needs of the individual. However, there are some general things that should be included in any letter of medical necessity for ABA therapy.

Some key points include:

State the nature of the illness

The letter should state that the individual has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (or another condition that warrants ABA therapy).

Outline the treatment plan

The letter should list the specific goals of ABA therapy that will be addressed, and how they will benefit the individual.

Duration of treatment

The letter should state how long the treatment plan is expected to last.

Summary of letter

The letter should provide a brief overview of the main points that have been discussed.

Some other key aspects for a letter of medical necessity include:

• The letter should be on letterhead from a licensed health care professional such as a doctor.
• The letter should include contact information for the doctor.
• The letter should have a professional tone.

Sample letter of medical necessity for ABA therapy

Here is an example letter of medical necessity for ABA therapy:

To whom it may concern:

I am writing this letter on behalf of my patient, (Patient Name), to document the necessity of ABA therapy treatment. This letter offers information about their medical history, diagnosis, and an explanation for the necessity of treatment.

(Patient Name) has been diagnosed with ASD and currently exhibits symptoms that warrant ABA therapy. The most appropriate treatment here will be operant conditioning and positive reinforcement, which will help to program desired actions.

The rationale behind this treatment is that it’s totally safe. It is simply a positive reinforcement approach. It is just a method of rewarding patients for acting in a manner that is natural to them.

The patient will be left to engage in desirable behavior or else reinforcement incentives will be withheld unless there is a behavioral shift. This is about giving rewards or praise as the need arises.

The treatment plan will last for a total of 36 weeks, and will be supervised by myself or one of my associates. This will be repeated as necessary.

In summary, ABA therapy is a necessary and safe treatment for (Patient Name) that will address their specific needs. I urge you to approve this request and provide the coverage needed for ABA therapy. Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

(your doctor’s name)

How Hidden Talents can help you

At Hidden Talents, we believe that ABA is the key to helping children on the autism spectrum succeed. Combined with the expert care and guidance of our trained BCBAs, your child can achieve more than you thought possible.

We currently offer ABA therapy services in Houston and Atlanta.

Reach out to us to learn more about how we can help.

If you are the parent of a child with autism, then you know that ABA therapy is essential for their development. ABA therapy can help children learn important skills and improve their quality of life.

But what happens if you can’t afford to pay for this therapy yourself? In this article, we will answer some common questions about insurance coverage for ABA therapy in Texas.

Give us a call if you want to work with the best ABA therapy provider in Houston. 

Is ABA therapy covered by insurance in Texas?

Texas law requires most insurance companies to provide coverage for autism treatment.

However, insurance companies are not required to cover the full cost of treatment. There are loopholes which enable certain companies to opt out or reduce insurance coverage for ABA therapy as a child gets older.

It is important to speak with your company’s human resources department to find out the details of the coverage your insurance offers for ABA therapy, and check if the plan is fully funded or self-funded.

If the plan is self-funded, ask if you have ABA therapy coverage. It is important to ask about information specifically on autism coverage; you might have to be in touch with the plan administrator and ask them about benefits for ABA therapy for children with autism.

Does Medicaid cover ABA therapy in Texas?

After a hard battle, Medicaid now covers ABA therapy for children with autism in Texas.

Beneficiaries must satisfy the conditions established in the Autism Services benefit description, and the treatment must be deemed medically required. Beneficiaries may obtain further information from their Medicaid insurance plan’s benefits representative as it becomes available.

Are there any caps on insurance coverage for ABA therapy?

In Texas, a law passed in 2013 which eliminated the previous age limit on insurance coverage for autism treatment (it was previously 10 years old). Currently, there is no limit.

However, plans can restrict ABA therapy reimbursement to $36,000 per year for children over 10 years old. Furthermore, to be eligible for coverage, a child must be diagnosed before age 10.

Some insurance plans also attempt to reduce coverage for ABA therapy as children ages. Insurers have their own standards for approving benefits for ABA therapy and do not always adhere to clinical recommendations.

Even though there is no formal cap on coverage for plans until age 10, obtaining insurance authorization for intensive ABA therapy can be more difficult as children get older.

Exceptions from insurance coverage in Texas

State of Origin

Check with your insurance provider to find out where your health insurance plan is based.

Some businesses, particularly those that operate in multiple states, may provide their employees with an insurance plan from a different state. Requirements and laws on ABA therapy insurance coverage differ from state to state.

Some states have limits on the amount of coverage, age caps, and other rules that might affect your child’s insurance.

Insurance plans are governed by the state law where the plan is issued, not the beneficiary’s location. So even if you live in Texas, Texas laws may not apply to your insurance plan.

Realizing that your plan is administered out of state is easy when it’s named something like “XYZ Insurance of Illinois.” Others may not be as recognizable.

If your plan is issued outside of the state, contact your human resources department or insurance provider to learn about rules and regulations in that state regarding covered autism therapies. Make sure you inquire about any restrictions or exclusions in ABA therapy insurance coverage.

Fully funded or self-funded?

Be sure to check if your company’s insurance plan is self-funded or fully funded. The Texas law only applies to fully funded (large and small) plans, not self-funded ones.

Options for families without employer ABA coverage

Consider these alternatives for obtaining an individual ABA therapy insurance plan if your family doesn’t have insurance through your employer:

Through the Affordable Care Act marketplace

In North Texas, there are two distinct insurance coverage plans accessible through the ACA (Affordable Care Act) marketplace. Some families may be eligible for tax credits for plans bought through the ACA marketplace, depending on their income.

Marketplace options are only accessible during open enrollment, which happens once a year (usually from November 15th to December 15th) or when a particular event occurs, such as a job loss or loss of insurance coverage from an employer. You can check out what plans are available on the marketplace by visiting healthcare.gov.

Individual plans can be purchased through a broker

There are also other kinds of individual insurance plans for ABA therapy available for children with autism. These alternatives may not be the same as those available through the Affordable Care Act insurance marketplace, and they do not qualify for the same tax credits.

There are brokers in the DFW area who are very experienced in finding insurance coverage for children with autism through ABA therapy.

How do I apply for ABA therapy?

To apply for ABA therapy, you will need to contact your insurance company and request an authorization for ABA therapy benefits. The insurance company will likely require a diagnosis and letter of medical necessity from a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist in order to process the authorization.

How can Hidden Talents help with ABA therapy?

Our focus is to help children grow and thrive by improving communication, social and adaptive skills. Hidden Talents ABA specializes in services for children from birth to age 12.

Our experienced team of BCBAs develops programs to fit each child’s specific needs. The dedication of our clinicians and our comprehensive, collaborative approach will allow our clients to truly shine and succeed.

Functional Communication Training utilizes differential reinforcement to teach a child to replace one behavior with another. Through a series of steps, a child is taught to replace a problematic behavior with an appropriate phrase or some other way of communicating. Learn more about Functional Communication Training at hiddentalentsaba.com

“Like branches on a tree, we may grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one.”

It can be difficult to shop with an autistic child.

They may have trouble understanding what is happening around them, they may become overwhelmed by the noise and crowds, or they may have a meltdown in the middle of the store.

Here are some tips to help make shopping with your autistic child easier and ways to create a more autism-friendly shopping experience.

Why is it Difficult to Shop with an Autistic Child?

Autistic children don’t see shopping the same as their neurotypical peers. Some difficulties they face include:

Sensory processing disorder

For many autistic children, bright lights, loud noises, and strong smells can be overwhelming. A lot is happening around them which can make shopping a difficult and even painful experience.

Crowds and long lines

Large crowds of people can be overwhelming for anyone, but for an autistic child, it can cause a lot of anxiety.

Crowds also create noise which can be difficult for an autistic child to filter out.

Change in routine

Shopping is a deviation from the normal routine which can be difficult for an autistic child to handle. They may become agitated or have a meltdown because of the change in schedule.

Meltdowns

Meltdowns are a common occurrence for autistic children. They may happen when an autistic child is overwhelmed, frustrated, or tired. Meltdowns can look different for every child but may include crying, yelling, hitting, or self-injurious behaviors.

Anxiety

Many autistic children experience high levels of anxiety. This may be due to the sensory overload they feel or from knowing that a meltdown is possible. Anxiety can make shopping an even more difficult experience.

Tips for Shopping with an Autistic Child

By understanding what is difficult for your child during a shopping trip, you can be better prepared to handle any challenges that may come up.

Here are some tips to make shopping with an autistic child easier:

Prepare your Child for the Change in Schedule

The day before the shopping trip , tell your child about your plans. Explain that they will be going shopping and tell them what time you will leave. This will help your child prepare for the change in routine.

Make a Plan with your Child

Before you leave for the store, sit down with your child and explain what will happen. Use words and pictures to help them understand the steps of the trip. This will help reduce anxiety and make the trip more predictable.

Include what will happen once you get home by creating a social story.

For example, say we will get into the car, drive to the store and park in the lot. Once we enter the store we will choose a wagon, collect all of the items on our list and head to the checkout line. Once we pay for the items we will bag them and place them in the car. Once we drive home, we will undo and put away the items and then play a game of your choice.

Applied Pressure Techniques

Applied pressure techniques can help an autistic child with sensory processing disorder. Things like weighted blankets, vests, or stuffed animals can provide deep pressure input which can help calm the nervous system.

Bring along a fidget toy

If your child becomes overwhelmed, having something they love to focus on can help calm them down.

Fidget toys can be a helpful distraction for an autistic child. They may help them focus and stay calm while shopping

Reward them for Good Behavior

If your child does well on the shopping trip, be sure to reward them. This could be a favorite food, toy, or activity.

Rewarding good behavior will help encourage your child to continue following the rules while shopping.

Keep Trips Short

Autistic children can become overwhelmed easily, so it is best to keep trips short. This will help reduce the chances of a meltdown occurring.

Start with two or three items. If you have to make a larger purchase, break it up into multiple trips.

This will help your child stay calm and avoid becoming overwhelmed.

To conclude

Shopping with an autistic child can be a difficult and frustrating experience. However, by following these tips, you can make the trip more manageable for both you and your child. Remember to be patient and understanding, and most importantly, have fun!

March is Social Work Month, a time that recognizes the dedication and empathy social workers deliver while providing services to those in need. Social workers provide support to people of all backgrounds, in our communities. They guide us through the obstacles and help lift us out of the potholes.

Social workers provide a voice for equal rights for the weakest of us and connect us to resources when we are in need. They touch millions of lives each day and it is likely a social worker at some time will assist you, a family member, or a friend.

Social workers continue to work on the frontlines throughout the pandemic, helping patients get the health care they need and helping loved ones overcome grief and loss. Take some time out this month to recognize social workers and the great things they do.

Among the main challenges that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families face are meltdowns and outbursts.

These problems could cause physical, verbal, and emotional damage, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t control them.

In fact, this article was written to help you understand what outbursts and meltdowns are, their common signs, how you should handle them when they occur, and what you need to do to prevent them from happening, in the first place.

What is a meltdown/outburst?

When autistic children find themselves in a stressful or overwhelming situation, they may become unable to regulate themselves and their sentiments. A meltdown or outburst is an intense response to these feelings.

To clarify, meltdowns and outbursts aren’t necessarily bad habits. Instead, they are merely ways for children with autism to express themselves when they don’t know how to do so in other ways.

What do outbursts look like?

After losing control of their emotions, your autistic son or daughter may have a verbal or physical outburst (or both).

Here are the characteristics of each:

• Physical Outbursts: Your child might engage in biting, hitting, kicking, and other physically-aggressive actions.
• Verbal Outbursts: Similarly, your kid could cry, scream, and/or shout.

Since meltdowns and outbursts can cause bodily, material, and emotional harms, you should keep an eye on their main signals and indicators. This allows you to prevent a meltdown before it happens.

Signs of an Outburst

Most of the time, an autistic child’s behavior will give you cues that they’re distressed and about to experience a meltdown.

The following outburst signs are common:

• Anxiety
• Asking repetitive questions as a way to get reassurances
• Pacing
• Rocking
• Staying very still

Once you identify these symptoms, you need to intervene and prevent the meltdown from happening.

What to Do When Your Autistic Child Is Having an Outburst

There are two aspects that you should focus on when addressing your son or daughter’s potential outburst.

Firstly, after you spot the main signs, you must manage them by doing the following:

• Ask if They’re Okay: A simple question like “are you okay?” could provide you with plenty of answers. However, keep in mind that some autistic kids might need time to give a response. 
• Give Them Space: This entails physical and mental space. For example, you may want to take your kid to a quiet and safe area that they’re comfortable with. In the same vein, turning down the music and/or lights can psychologically calm the child down.
• Give Them Time: Whenever your son or daughter suffers from a sensory or information-related overload, you should give them enough time to recover and recuperate.

Secondly (and equally as important) is knowing what the triggers of an outburst or meltdown are so that you can eliminate them and prevent one from happening. Here are a few prevalent triggers:

A Change in The Child’s Routine

It is very easy for autistic children to feel unsettled when they have to follow a schedule that they’re unfamiliar with.

Therefore, you may want to gradually make changes to their routine while keeping a close eye on their symptoms as you do so.

Communication Difficulties

Simply put, many kids with ASD have a hard time when they communicate with others and are likely to be misunderstood.

By working with your son or daughter on their communication skills and identifying the signs that they’re struggling to express themselves, you can cater to their needs and stop an impending meltdown in its tracks. 

Sensory Challenges

The brains of autistic kids are wired differently than their neurotypical counterparts. As a result, they may run into issues that impact their senses and the way that their body responds to sounds, lights, and other aspects in their environment.

This means that intense senses, such as loud noises and bright lights, might trigger an outburst or meltdown.

As a parent, you want to know what your child’s sensory triggers are in order to minimize their effect on their conduct.

At the end of the day, you should always remember that autism outbursts aren’t bad behaviors in of themselves. Instead, they are verbal and physical actions that your child may engage in when they don’t know how to express themselves.

By identifying and managing an outburst’s signs, alongside eliminating its triggers, you can effectively prevent future meltdowns from occurring and help your autistic son or daughter communicate in a calmer and better manner.

More than 650,000 Americans die from heart disease each year, according to the CDC. It is the leading cause of death for American men and women. We observe American Heart Month in February to remind everyone about the risks factors of heart disease and how to keep your heart healthy.

While high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and tobacco use are key risk factors for heart disease there are other medical conditions and lifestyles that can put you at higher risk of heart disease:

• Diabetes
• Not Enough Physical Activity
• Excessive Alcohol Intake

Take time this month to learn about the many ways you can keep your heart healthy. We have listed a few healthy ways that you can start today:

• Get 7-8 hours of quality Sleep
• Eat a Healthy Diet
• Physical Activity
• Monitor your Cholesterol and Blood Pressure

You don’t have to make big changes at once, small steps will get you where you want to go.

February marks Black History Month, a time to honor achievements by Black Americans and their role in US history. This year’s theme is Black Health and Wellness to recognize the legacy of scholars and medical practitioners. Black Health and Wellness not only includes one’s physical body but also emotional and mental health.

This month, we celebrate the achievements of Black Americans and encourage the community to reflect on our nation’s history and the many contributions of Black Americans.

A person’s a person, no matter how small. Learn more about our services at hiddentalentsaba.com

If your autistic child is struggling with anxiety then you are reading the right article. 

Anxiety can be mild or severe and it is very common in autistic children to struggle with it.

In this article, we will explain what anxiety is, list some of its common symptoms, and explore the reasons why autistic children struggle with it.

We will also discuss some treatment options to give you some actionable tips for stopping your child’s anxious episode.

What is anxiety?

So, what is anxiety? According to the American Psychological Association, anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure.

Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health issues in the world affecting over 40 million adults in the United States alone.

Autistic children often struggle with anxiety. In fact, recent studies have suggested that 40-80% of autistic children will experience an anxiety induced episode.

Signs of Anxiety

So what are the signs that your child is struggling with anxiety?

According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of anxiety include:

• Restlessness: Constant moving, pacing and fidgeting.
• Feeling on edge: A sense of feeling like something bad is going to happen and that it could happen at any time.
• Irritability: Your child may get angry easily,
• Muscle tension: You may notice your child clenching their hands or jaw.
• Difficulty concentrating: Your child may have a hard time focusing on anything or completing tasks.
• Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
• Eating problems: Your child may not eat enough or they may overeat.
• Panic attacks: Sudden feelings of terror, shortness of breath, chest pain and dizziness.

• Avoidance of everyday activities: Avoiding school, work and social situations out of worry and fear

If you notice your child struggling with these symptoms, it may be time to contact a therapist or doctor.

Why do autistic children struggle with anxiety?

There are many reasons why autistic children struggle with anxiety.

Some of the most common include:

Lack of social skills

 Autistic children may not know how to interact with others which can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. This can also cause them to feel anxious about upcoming events where they will have to socialize.

Sensory overload

Autistic children often struggle with sensory overload. This is when they are overwhelmed by too much noise, light, or touch. This can cause them to become anxious and agitated.

Unpredictability

Autistic children thrive on routine and order. When things change or are unpredictable it can cause them to feel anxious and afraid.

Bullying: Autistic children are often targeted by bullies because of their differences. This can lead to a lot of emotional distress and anxiety.

Treatment options for anxiety in autistic children

So what are the treatment options for anxiety in autistic children?

There is no one size fits all answer to this question because different things work for different people.

However, there are some common treatment options that can help your child reduce their feelings of anxiety. These include:

• Behavioral therapy: With behavioral therapy,your therapist will teach you and your child techniques to manage stress and anxiety in everyday life.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This type of therapy helps your child to change the negative thoughts and beliefs that contribute to their anxiety.
• Medication: If your child’s anxiety is severe, medication may be necessary. There are a variety of medications that can help treat anxiety including antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs.
• Talk therapy: In talk therapy, your therapist will help your child explore and understand their thoughts and feelings about anxiety.
• Support groups: Joining a support group can be helpful for both you and your child. This is a place where they can share their experiences with others who are going through the same thing.
• ABA therapy: ABA or Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy is a type of therapy that helps your child with communication and learning skills and can help modify anxious behaviors.
• Relaxation techniques: Teaching your child relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, tai chi and mindfulness can help them to calm down when they feel anxious.

Tips for helping your autistic child during an anxious episode

So how can you help your child during an anxious episode?

The most important thing is to stay calm. When you notice them becoming upset, try to be reassuring and encouraging. You may want to hold their hand or give them a hug depending on their sensory needs. Try not to force anything on them that they don’t want during their anxiety attack. 

It can also be helpful to have a plan in place for when your child has an anxious episode. This may include having a safe place for them to go to, an electronic device to distract them, and other calming activities such as deep breathing exercises or listening to music.

Conclusion

Anxiety is a common problem for autistic children, but there are things you can do to help. From therapy to medication to relaxation techniques, there are many options available to help your child manage their anxiety.

Remember to stay calm and be supportive during an anxious episode, and have a plan in place so you know what to do when things get tough.

For children with autism, engaging in sensory activities is an important way to help with their development. Sensory games can be fun for the whole family and are a great way to connect with your autistic child.

Why are sensory activities good for autistic children?

Sensory activities help autistic children to learn about their surroundings and the world around them. These activities also help with important skills such as communication, problem solving, and socialization.

Additionally, sensory toys can help children with autism relax and de-stress. For example, a fidget spinner or sensory ball can give an autistic child something to focus on when they are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stressed out.

Sensory activities you can do at home

Here is a list of 10 great sensory activities that you can play with your child at home.

Sensory Bin

Fill a large container with different textures and objects for your child to explore. This can include anything from rice, beans, or pasta to feathers, fabric scraps, or small toys. Let your child dig through the bin and explore the different textures.

Water Play

This is a great activity on a hot day! Fill a kiddie pool, bathtub, or even just a large bowl with water and let your child play. Add some fun items like plastic balls, small toys, or sponges to make it more interesting.

Sensory Table

A sensory table is a great way to provide a variety of different textures and objects for your child to handle. You can buy a sensory table, or create your own by using a large plastic container and filling it with different items such as sand, water, foam balls, or small toys.

Ice Exploration

Fill a bowl or container with water and add some food coloring. Freeze the mixture overnight and let your child play with the multicolored ice cubes. This is a great way for your child to experience temperature changes.

Silly Putty

Silly putty is a great sensory activity because it can be molded and stretched into different shapes. It also makes noise when you squish it, which can be fun for kids. You can buy silly putty or make your own by adding cornstarch and food coloring to Elmer’s glue.

Bubbles

Blowing bubbles is a fun sensory activity that can also be calming for kids with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). You can buy bubble solution or make your own by adding dish soap to water and food coloring if desired. Let your child blow the bubbles, or just pop them with their hands.

Window painting with shaving cream

Set up a window with shaving cream and let your child paint away! You can also add food coloring to the mixture if you want your child’s artwork to be colorful. 

This activity is great for sensory exploration but it can also help develop fine motor skills like painting or drawing because children need to use their fingers when they are creating designs on glass. Just make sure that they understand not to hit the window too hard.

Walking on Rice

Fill a large container with rice and let your child walk through it barefoot. This can be an interesting way to explore different textures, as well as fine motor skills development since they’ll have to balance themselves while walking across the rice. You could also use other materials like beans, pasta, or sand.

Texture Hunt

Hide different objects around the house that have interesting textures for your child to find. This can be anything from a soft blanket to a bumpy plastic ball. Encourage your child to touch and feel the different textures.

Sensory Bag

A sensory bag is an easy activity to set up and can be reused multiple times. Just place different objects like small toys, feathers, or fabric scraps into a Ziploc bag and seal it shut. Your child can then explore the contents by feeling and squeezing the bag.

Sensory Tunnel

A sensory tunnel is a great way for kids to explore their senses of sight , touch, and sound. You can buy a sensory tunnel or make your own by using PVC pipe and a tarp or blanket. Drape the fabric over the pipe and secure it with clothespins. Your child can crawl through the tunnel to explore.

One of the best things about sensory activities is that they don’t have to be expensive or elaborate. You can use items from around the house, and many of them are easy enough for toddlers and preschoolers to participate in.

Helpful tips for parents when playing at home sensory games with their autistic children.

Give your child time to get used to the sensory activity. This will help prevent sensory overload, which can lead to anxiety or aggression in an ASD child who has difficulty processing information from his/her surroundings all at once (this may happen when there’s too much going on).

Here are some tips to keep in mind when starting a sensory sessions with your child:

-Start out with short sessions so your child doesn’t get overwhelmed.

-Be patient and let your child take their time exploring the different activities.

-If your child becomes agitated or upset, stop the activity and try again later.

-Make sure the activities are safe and within your child’s abilities.

-adapt the games to fit your child’s interests and needs.

Final Thoughts

Sensory activities can be a great way to help develop your autistic child’s skills and provide them with some fun and excitement. With a little bit of creativity, you can come up with many different activities that will keep your child engaged and interested. So get creative and have some fun!

Kids need to be encouraged to stretch their shine. Hidden Talents is where talents come to play! We do all we can to make caring for your child as smooth and easy as possible. Learn more about our services at hiddentalentsaba.com

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) causes a host of neurological and physical symptoms. One of the most noteworthy ones pertains to food sensitivities.

This article was written for parents that want to assist their autistic children with overcoming eating difficulties, choosing an appropriate diet, and maintaining healthy bodily levels of nutrients and vitamins.

Common Medical and Nutritional Challenges for Kids with Autism

Autistic children typically experience medical issues that impact their gastrointestinal (GI) tract and nutrition.

Firstly, if you suspect that your ASD-diagnosed son or daughter has a GI problem, you want to keep an eye on these symptoms:

• Abdominal distention (which can lead to eating too much or constipation without having an underlying sickness)
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Discomfort in the stomach or GI tract
• Fecal impaction (constipation patients are more likely to develop this condition)
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Leaky gut syndrome
• Regurgitation of food (this entails spitting out or emitting it after it enters the stomach, even if the child doesn’t have an illness or health condition that may cause this)
• Releasing gasses excessively

Additionally, your autistic kid could run into the following nutritional shortcomings:

• Allergies
• Intolerance towards certain foods
• Problems with eating or being fed

As a parent, you can minimize the effect of these health issues by feeding your child meals with specific ingredients while avoiding others.

Autism Diet

Since each autistic kid is different, it is difficult to define a particular diet that suits every person that has ASD.

Nonetheless, you will probably provide your son or daughter with relief by making dietary changes that omit the following ingredients and food items:

• Casein proteins (you should consider a casein-free diet for your child, which leaves out milk, whey, and additional nutrients that are high in casein)
• Eggs
• Fish
• Gluten (a gluten-free diet excludes several types of grains)
• Individual proteins, namely casein, gluten, and others
• Peanuts
• Seafood
• Soy

Why does removing these foods work?

Some of the proteins and ingredients that we listed above could create inflammation in the gut and stomach. In turn, this might lead to further problems in the GI tract and organs.

You may prevent this from happening when you identify the nutrients that are causing these difficulties and take them out of your child’s diet.

How to Test the Foods and See if Symptoms Change

Before you make any meal plan changes, you want to initially pinpoint the foods that are affecting your son or daughter’s GI tract.

To so, follow these steps:

1. Pick an ingredient or item to remove, such as eggs, gluten, and/or seafood.
2. Gradually and slowly reintroduce these ingredients to your kid’s diet.
3. If your child’s symptoms reappear or get worse, you will know that the food product is what’s causing the problem. Consequently, you must permanently eliminate it from their meals.
4. If nothing changes and no symptoms emerge, you can go back to step 1 and test how other ingredients or items could impact your autistic boy or girl’s GI organs.

Keep in mind that kids with certain medical conditions have unique dietary requirements.

Dietary Restrictions for Those Who Have Autism and Seizures

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for autistic children to also suffer from seizures. In those cases, you may want to consider one or both of these diets:

• Ketogenic (Keto) Diet: Simply put, a keto regimen entails meals that are high in fats and low in carbohydrates.
• Sugar or Yeast-Free Diet: While this might greatly help, you should remember to avoid foods that can cause GI issues even if they don’t contain any sugar or yeast (fish and seafood, for instance).

Downsides to the Keto Diet

Before you switch your autistic child to a keto diet, you must first talk to their doctor and/or a registered dietitian so that they supervise the transition.

This is important since a keto diet, when implemented the wrong way, can negatively impact your son or daughter’s growth, weight, and cholesterol levels. A lot of parents attain good results from a keto meal plan by combining it with other ingredients and foods.

What if my child is a picky eater?

Some kids are very selective when it comes to food. This is even more likely to be the case among those who were diagnosed with ASD.

If this applies to your child, here is how you can effectively cater to their dietary needs:

• Avoid textures that your son or daughter doesn’t like.
• Give them their own plate, particularly when they feel uncomfortable with sharing one.
• Introduce new foods and meals in a gradual and slow manner.
• Make meal time more enjoyable and fun for your kid.
• Pick ingredients with colors that your child likes.
• Prepare their food in the shape(s) that they prefer.
• Talk to their doctor about supplements and vitamins when your kid’s picky eating habits are preventing them from obtaining the nutrients that their body requires.

In short, your ultimate goal is to eliminate or minimize any GI challenges that your autistic son or daughter is facing and, at the same time, ensure that they’re consuming a healthy amount of vitamins and nutrients.

You could do this by identifying the specific meals or ingredients that they’re insensitive towards and, from there, making the necessary dietary adjustments.

By being creative, parents can create a food plan that pleases even the pickiest and most selective autistic eaters.

If you’ve ever tried to help an autistic child groom their nails you probably already know that it can be challenging, for you and the child! Some of the ways autism presents can make cutting nails more difficult than for other children, which also means it’s more difficult for the person trying to help them.

Not understanding why autistic children struggle with having their nails cut only makes the problem worse.

So, we’re going to talk about why it’s hard for autistic children to have their nails cut, and offer some solutions that might make it easier for you and the child.

Let’s get started.

Why Is Cutting An Autistic Child’s Nails So Difficult

It’s important to remember when you’re dealing with an autistic child, and that even most neuro-typical children don’t like having their nails trimmed. That’s important because it means that an autistic child’s discomfort isn’t that unusual, they just may have a more severe reaction to having their nails trimmed.

Autistic children are also likely to think that nail trimming is unnecessary, so they don’t understand why they need to go through a difficult and uncomfortable process. Sometimes you can explain why nail trimming matters, but autistic children might not care, and may not be able to listen at the moment.

Many autistic children also dislike being touched, especially for a prolonged period. That means that holding their hand to cut their nails might be uncomfortable for an autistic child, and they might not want to let you hold their hand long enough to get the job done.

The last common reason autistic children don’t like having their nails trimmed is they don’t like the sound. Especially since the sound of nail trimming can be unpredictable, it may be overwhelming and uncomfortable for autistic children.

Those are only some of the most common reasons. Every child is different, so every autistic child is likely to have different reasons behind their behavior when their nails are trimmed.

Tips For Cutting Your Autistic Child’s Nails

Each of these tips can help make it easier to cut an autistic child’s nails, but it’s also important to combine different tips and to pay attention to how each child reacts. What works for one autistic child won’t necessarily work for another, and what worked once might not work a second time.

Always try to adjust your nail trimming process to meet the needs of the child, whatever those might be at the time.

First, Try Starting Slowly:

You might not trim every nail every time, but if you can trim even one or two you might be able to start building the child’s tolerance to having their nails trimmed.

Over time you’ll be able to increase how many nails you trim, or how closely you trim each nail. But, you may reach plateaus where there isn’t progress. Don’t let that discourage you.

Don’t Go Wild When They Do Cooperate With Nail Trimming:

Pushing too hard on a good day, especially if it’s uncomfortable or ultimately makes the autistic child unhappy, will likely make it harder the next time.

Make Sure You’re Both Comfortable:

You don’t have as much tolerance when you’re uncomfortable, and neither do autistic children. Making sure you’re both as comfortable as you can be will help make the process less stressful for you both.

Talk Them Through The Process:

Some autistic children benefit from being talked through what you’re doing as you’re doing it. Telling them you’re going to clip one nail, and before each clip, and then when you move on to the next finger will help them process what’s going on and stay calmer.

Explain Why This Needs To Be Done:

Autistic children usually don’t understand why their nails need to be trimmed, and it might take them longer to understand than other children. Explaining why you’re trimming their nails, with examples, each time will help them understand and stay calmer.

Explaining also sets the expectation that they get to know why something is happening and have some say in it.

Try A Hand Massage Before Nail Trimming:

Giving an autistic child a small hand massage before you get started can make the whole process a lot easier. That’s because it helps them associate their hand being held with a pleasant sensation, instead of just an uncomfortable one.

This can also be a good option to help after nail trimming, especially if the massage is comforting or feels good to the child.

However, a hand massage may not be useful for autistic children that are touch averse. If possible, you can always ask if they want a hand massage before you get started.

Try Using The Right Equipment:

Using a typical nail clipper might not be a good option for autistic children. They need to move too much, and it can be uncomfortable.

Switching to a 360-degree nail clipper is one option since the child can hold still while you adjust the clipper to the right angles.

If that doesn’t work, an electric trimmer might be a better option. It will feel and sound a little different, which might be more tolerable for some autistic children.

Try Filing First:

For some autistic children, filing, which is more consistent than clipping, might be a good starting place. You still need to start slow if you choose this option and work your way up to filing more than one nail, and then a whole hand.

But, once your child accepts filing you may be able to try nail clipping again, especially if you explain that it’s faster.

Consider Using Toys and Videos as Distractions:

In some cases, your best option might be helping your autistic child tolerate nail clipping by giving them something else to help them distract.

Stimming toys are a common option for this kind of distraction, but almost any toy or video your child finds engaging can work. You can even try playing their favorite song or letting them hug a favorite blanket.

Remember, the easier you can make nail trimming for your autistic child, the easier it will be for you, and the better they’re likely to behave. Fighting an autistic child to trim their nails is more likely to make it harder over time, especially if the child doesn’t understand what you’re doing or why.

Work with their autism, not against it, and you’ll have better results.

Like branches on a tree, we may grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one.

What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet
  ~ Anne Frank

Thank you for the inspiration caregiverlist.com

The research to better understand conditions like autism and sensory processing disorder (SPD) is getting better by the day, but there’s still a lot to learn. For example, many people still aren’t aware of the correlation between these two conditions and what they entail. In this guide, we’ll cover all the basics so that you have a better understanding of these conditions and their therapeutic options.

What is Autism?

Autism is a development disorder that takes on several forms. It is what is known as a “spectrum” disorder because it can appear in different people with different symptoms, levels of severity, developmental concerns, and so forth. Autism can cause children to learn, react, and attend to details differently than children without this condition, or those who are neurotypical.

Autism causes a wide range of social and communication challenges for those afflicted. With proper interventions (and especially early intervention), such as ABA therapy,  a lot of the issues can be overcome or made less severe. There have been several methods and therapies studied for assisting those with this condition, and because there is still so much to learn, a lot of research is ongoing.

One thing we do know is that autism is typically linked to sensory processing disorder, which we’ll discuss next.

What is Sensory Processing Disorder?

Sensory processing refers to the way that a person’s brain perceives sensory information, as well as how the person responds to that information. Someone who struggles with sensory processing or who is diagnosed with SPD will typically have an impairment in the way that their brain processes these elements.

When the brain cannot properly process the senses and the world around it, regulating behavior and motor functions like coordination and balance can become difficult. There are several components of sensory processing and even one of them being off can lead to a lot of developmental delays and the need for therapeutic intervention. There are eight total components of sensory processing to be aware of, as you’ll see in the list below.

8 Components of Sensory Processing

The components of sensory processing that you need to be aware of include:

•         Taste
•         Touch
•         Smell
•         Sight
•         Sound
•         Vestibular Function- how the inner ear and brain work to control balance, eye movement, and body awareness
•         Proprioception- the sense of awareness of one’s body movements or positioning
•         Enteroception- the awareness of what’s happening within one’s own body

Some of these come with a preoccupation or aversion to certain things (loud noises, certain tastes or textures, etc.) The way that the brain processes these things has somehow been interrupted, and it results in several different potential issues.

When it comes to the types of sensory issues that exist, two main conditions typically occur, both at either end of the extreme. Let’s look at those two sensory issues now.

Two Types of Sensory Issues

Although several different issues and challenges may present themselves with sensory processing disorder and autism, they can typically be divided into two main groups.

Hypersensitivity

This refers to children who are easily stimulated by any sensory elements or stimuli. These children may have a low tolerance for pain or the aforementioned loud noises. It could also include light sensitivity, coordination issues, and so forth. The hypersensitivity could impact appetite and ability to eat certain foods, so this could create a situation where you have a finicky eater on your hands, too. It’s not uncommon for there to be food issues with these two conditions, and again they all come in different shapes and sizes.

Hyposensitivity

On the other end of things, and in a potentially more dangerous light, is hyposensitivity. This condition causes children not to have enough sensory stimulation. This could mean they have a higher pain tolerance, or they bump into objects and walls because it doesn’t occur to them not to. They may also have a need to be constantly touching or mouthing items, although it’s unsure exactly how that’s related to the lack of sensitivity.

Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder

More than 80% of all children with autism also have sensory processing disorder. According to the DSM-5, SPD is a behavior specifically associated with ASD, but most of the children with SPD do not have autism. The other variable is that sensory processing disorder usually affects touch more than anything, while those who have autism will struggle more with sound processing.

It’s still being learned as to how these two are related specifically, but both conditions can cause children to learn and react to things differently, as well as to interact differently with the world around them. Depending on the type of sensitivity that they struggle with, it could compound with the addition of an ASD diagnosis, but the therapeutic approaches are typically similar in nature.

Therapy for ASD and SPD

As mentioned, there have been plenty of therapies and approaches that have been studied for autism and sensory processing disorder. Currently, ASD is best treated using ABA therapy, or Applied Behavioral Analysis. Essentially, it uses a style of programming to help kids learn by offering them a reward (often related to their stimming or sensory issues) in exchange for acquiring skills or learning various things.

Occupational therapy is used for sensory processing disorders, including things like teaching children coordination and how to handle other sensitivity issues through exposure and practice over time. An occupational therapist will focus on the specific sensitivities that a child has and attempt to work on improving the challenges that they face. Sensory integration is proving quite effective as a solution, but since the debate on this disorder is still out, there is a lot left to learn. As of now, we at least know that occupational therapy is helping children with sensory issues, and in the future, that’s only likely to get better.

To learn more about how these issues can be resolved with ABA and occupational therapy, as well as what the future holds and how you can help your child thrive, visit us at https://hiddentalentsaba.com/.

Up until 2013, Asperger’s syndrome and autism were considered different conditions. For years, these conditions were diagnosed separately, but they now fall under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorder.

Both conditions have relatively similar symptoms. People suffering from either of the two exhibit similar communication and behavioral patterns, which makes the distinction between the two diagnoses fuzzy. The American Psychiatric Association therefore has since made a change to the manual practitioners use to diagnose mental health conditions. In the new edition, Asperger’s syndrome is incorporated into the diagnosis of ASD.

This article explores the differences between the two conditions. We’ll also look at the criteria used for each diagnosis. But before we get to that, let’s check out each condition separately.

Autism Disorder

Autism disorder is a complex, lifelong developmental condition. It impacts how you perceive and socialize with others. This leads to social interaction, communication, self-regulation, and relationship problems.

Now that you have a basic understanding of what autism is, let’s have a look at Asperger’s.

Asperger’s Syndrome

When Asperger’s syndrome was added to the DSM-4, it was described as having the same characteristics of autism, but with one key exception: People diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome didn’t have delays in language and communication, as was seen with autistic patients.

As such, many medical professionals believed that Asperger’s was a form of “high-functioning” autism. Typically, this meant that a person’s development and language skills were considered “normal” according to neurotypical standards.

But as mentioned, the publication of DSM-5 in 2013 saw Asperger’s syndrome folded into Autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

So, what’s the difference between the two?

The Differences Between Autism and Asperger’s

Both conditions are now listed under the umbrella of ASD. However, Asperger’s has milder symptoms. Let’s see how they compare.

Speech and Language

The major difference between autism and Asperger’s is that the latter has milder symptoms and a general absence of language delays. In most cases, children that were diagnosed with Asperger’s have good language skills. However, they may find it challenging to fit in with their peers.

On the other hand, children with autism typically exhibit difficulty in speech and communication. In most cases, they have difficulty understanding what someone is saying to them. And in some cases, they might also have trouble picking up non-verbal cues like facial expressions and hand gestures.

Autistic children also frequently exhibit repetitive language. They might also have narrow topics of interest. For example, they may only be interested in cars and thus, only talk about cars.

Cognitive Functioning

Unlike in autism, children diagnosed with Asperger’s cannot have a clinically significant cognitive delay. They generally have average or above-average intelligence. Autistic children, on the other hand, may have significant cognitive delays.

Age of Onset

On average, autistic children are diagnosed at four. However, individuals classified under Asperger’s may not show any symptoms until they reach teenage or adulthood.

This is mainly because children with Asperger’s don’t have lower IQs. They also don’t exhibit any language delays. As such, you may not realize that your child has a developmental delay until they start engaging in more social interactions.

And how are these two conditions diagnosed? Read on to find out.

Criteria for Each Diagnosis

Asperger’s Syndrome

There are currently no specific tests that can diagnose Asperger’s. However, Asperger’s was commonly diagnosed in childhood. This is because the possibility of an individual fully reaching adulthood without an Asperger’s diagnosis was somewhat limited but not impossible.

Here is a summary of the diagnosis criteria for Asperger’s in children from the previous version of DSM.

•         Severe impairment in social interactions
•         Repetitive behaviors or movements
•         Difficulty with verbal or nonverbal communication
•         Lack of interest with others or taking part in activities
•         Few to no long-term relationships with peers
•         Immense interest in specific aspects of objects
•         Strict adherence to ritual behaviors or routine
•         Difficulty in maintaining jobs, relationships, or other aspects of daily life
•         Showing little to no response to emotional or social experiences

Autism

Like with Asperger’s, there are currently no standard diagnostic criteria for autism in adults. But those are in development. In the meantime, medical professionals diagnose adults with autism through a series of in-person interactions and observations. They also consider any other symptoms that the individual is experiencing.

If you think you have ASD, you should consult your family doctor. They will perform an evaluation to ensure there isn’t any underlying medical condition affecting your behavior. They might then refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for a more in-depth assessment.

The medical professional may want to talk to you about any issues you have regarding emotions, communication, range of interests, behavioral patterns, and more. You’ll also have to answer questions about your childhood. And in some cases, they might ask to speak to your parents or any other older family member to get a perspective about your lifelong behavior changes.

Your doctor might determine that you didn’t display symptoms of autism as a child but instead began experiencing them as a teen or adult. In this case, they might evaluate you for other possible effective or mental health disorders.

Here is a summary of the diagnosis criteria for autism.

•         Difficulty with everyday conversations
•         Having difficulty understanding or responding to social cues
•         Sharing interests and emotions less often than peers
•         Having delayed language or speech skills
•         Speaking in atypical ways, for example, in a singsong voice
•         Having difficulty understanding other people’s emotions or facial expressions
•         Doing repetitive actions such as rocking and flapping
•         Experiencing intellectual delays
•         Becoming angry or overwhelmed with new situations
•         Having trouble understanding or developing relationships
•         Sensitivity to certain stimulants like bright lights or loud noises
•         Becoming intensely interested in certain topics
•         Having a significant need for a predictable order and structure

The Bottom Line

Since 2013, medical professionals have considered Asperger’s as part of a broader classification of ASD. That being said, a person with an Asperger’s diagnosis might not necessarily identify as having ASD.

Learning the difference between the two is helpful. But taking action is even more important. If you or your child is experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, you should seek guidance as early as possible. Early intervention, such as ABA therapy, can provide valuable opportunities to learn practical independent life skills.

This article is about Autism Acceptance Month and all that you need to know about it. More specifically, we will go over a brief history of the event, how you can participate in it, and what its organizers are trying to achieve.

When you’re done reading this article, you will become more aware of what autism is and learn about how you can educate others about this condition.

The History Behind Autism Acceptance Month

The story of Autism Acceptance Month goes back to the 1970s. Firstly, in 1970, the Autism Society initiated its campaign to promote autism awareness across the United States. Their goal was to ensure that autistic people can obtain the best quality of life that’s possible.

Secondly, in 1972, the Autism Society went on to inaugurate the National Autistic Children’s Week. They started to host this event every year, up until it turned into Autism Awareness Month.

Lastly, but certainly not least, is that ‘Autism Awareness Month’ was renamed to ‘Autism Acceptance Month’ in March 2021, right before the annual occasion took place.

When is Autism Acceptance Month?

April is Autism Acceptance Month. The 2nd day of April is Autism Awareness Day. Yet, the entire month is dedicated to promoting acceptance of autism.

How can I participate in Autism Acceptance Month?

By engaging in the following acts of kindness, you can partake in Autism Acceptance Month and help raise awareness about the challenges that autistic people face:

• Advocate for policies and laws that have a positive impact on the autism community.
• Dedicate yourself to taking action that makes the world a kinder place.
• Donate to autism charities, buy merchandise from them, and engage in other acts of giving.
• Educate yourself in classrooms and/or at fundraising events.
• Share resources (such as the real-time support, guidance, and information that the Autism Response Team provides) and potentially-influential stories on social media.
• Start an autism kindness campaign at your workplace or school.

When you participate in and support Autism Acceptance Month, you will be helping the event’s organizers reach their objectives.

The Goals of Autism Acceptance Month

Here are the main purposes of having an awareness and acceptance month for autism:

• Advocating for the inclusion of autistic people in schools, workplaces, and society in general.
• Assisting others learn more about what autism is and what the condition entails.
• Raising money and funds for autism charities and nonprofits.
• Increasing people’s understanding and acceptance of autism.

These goals have been consistent since 1972, when the effort was first launched. The expansion from having a week dedicated to autism to a month-long event enabled charities to further advance these objectives.

By dedicating yourself to kindness, donating funds, sharing resources, and hosting events, you can effectively participate in Autism Acceptance Month and help autistic people attain the quality of life that they desire.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, (ASD) is a neuro-divergent, categorized group of developmental disabilities that can affect a range of skills and developmental processes in a person. Autism is not contagious, nor is the direct cause of autism known.

Being autistic can impact a person’s life in several areas, including communication, social skills, social development, and behaviors. However, not every case of autism looks or presents itself the same, and people are often diagnosed on a spectrum.

Read on to understand more about what autism is, when symptoms begin to show, and what the process of diagnosing a person with autism may look like.

How Young Can Autism be Detected?

Autism shows itself in development, meaning that as a person develops and ages, certain neuro-divergences, and behavioral presentations begin to show. Autism can sometimes be detected in babies 18 months or younger, but that is frequently not the case.

Typically, an autistic person will have a diagnosis of autism by 2 years old. This is because as the child grows and develops, it is easier to see certain milestones they are surpassing or missing in comparison with their age group.

However, some people do not get diagnosed with autism until they are in their teens or even adulthood.

Having an early diagnosis of autism is very important so that the person can begin treatments that might be able to help them, such as speech therapy, educational therapy, applied behavioral therapy, or tactile occupational therapy.

What Are Some Early Signs of Autism?

There are many early signs of autism, but as stated before, each case of autism looks different and it can be hard to differentiate when a child is autistic or if they are struggling with certain behaviors or actions for other reasons. 

That said, some of the most common early signs of autism are as follows:

•     Avoiding Eye Contact: Often, a child with autism will avoid looking at others directly in their eyes. They may tilt their heads away or shift their eyes away from the faces of others. This is a sign of a behavioral and communicative symptom.

•     Low Socialization: Children are often incredibly social creatures, who enjoy and find interest in others as they explore the world. If a child is showing little to no interest in other children or caretakers, they might be displaying a social symptom of autism.

•     Limited Use of Language: Communication is a huge part of autism. Many people with autism show signs of struggling to communicate or have a hard time mastering language skills. They may miss milestones that their peers easily reach or may use alternative methods of communication, rather than spoken language. Sign language is a common alternative for non-verbal people with autism.

•     Reliance on Routine: Getting upset by minor changes in the day-to-day routines of life is another sign of autism. Folks with autism rely on routines to feel safe and so that they know what is coming and can prepare themselves for it. So if your child always takes a bath at night and one day they need to bathe in the morning, this could cause them to get upset.

Process of Diagnosing Autism

The process of diagnosing autism is broken down into two main parts that are both very important. They are as follow:

Screening

The first part is a screening where health care professionals look for a variety of communication, behavioral, and social developmental differences that line up with the diagnosis requirements of autism. Health care professionals will administer tests to make sure they can rule out any other developmental differences, like ADHD.

They will use several different types of assessing and testing so that they can definitively diagnose the person with autism as well as figure out the severity of the diagnosis so they can recommend treatments or therapies that may help the person to live an easier life.

Some of the tools that might be used in the screening process are :

•     Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up (M-CHAT-R/F): This is a brief checklist of yes and no items for early autism detection for children 16 months to 30 months of age

•     Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R): a semi-structured interview where parents and specialists work together to make a diagnosis.

•     Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Generic (ADOS-G): An interview with activities conducted by a trained specialist to make a concrete diagnosis.

•     Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS): An observation of a child’s behavior and actions which is rated on a 15 point scale to see where the child’s relationships with people, body behaviors, adaptation to changes, listening skills, and communication skills are developmentally.

•     ThinkAspergers: a screening tool in a mobile phone app that helps the informal detection of autism that can be used by teachers, parents, and medical professionals.

The Diagnosis

During the diagnosis meeting, you will hear from the medical professional whether your child has autism or not. During this meeting, the medical professional may refer you to some therapists who might be able to help you and your child create a better and easier life for your child.

They will also explain what they were looking at and why they came to the conclusion your child has autism.

What May a Doctor Look at During the Screening?

The following list is some of the things your doctor or health care professional may be looking for during the screenings and diagnosis process:

•     Did your baby begin smiling around 6 months?
•     Did your baby mimic sounds and make facial expressions by 9 months?
•     Was your baby cooing, babbling, and making noise by 12 months?

They may also ask about other behaviors, such as:

•     Does your child exhibit repetitive or unusual behaviors?
•     Does your child have trouble making direct eye contact?
•     Is your child interacting with other people and sharing their experiences?
•     Does your child respond to attempts to get their attention?
•     Does your child have a vocal tone that could be described as “flat”?
•     Does your child understand other people’s actions and behaviors?
•     Is your child sensitive to inputs like noise, temperature, light, or textures?
•     Does your child have sleep or digestive issues?
•     Is your child likely to get irritable or annoyed quickly?

Remember that autism is common and your child can and will live a full and vibrant life, regardless of their diagnosis status. It is important to give them the best possible chance to succeed in their lives by putting them in the proper therapies that can help them learn to live with autism and overcome the limitations autism may impose on them.

Patience, understanding, and education will be your best tools as you begin to navigate this new aspect of your child’s life as well as your own. 

It is common for young children to struggle with falling asleep and staying asleep. That being said, some children, such as autistic children, are more prone to experiencing these kinds of problems than others. In this guide, we will go through different factors which may affect an autistic child’s sleep, what you can do as a parent or guardian to help, and what products may help support their sleep routine.

Factors that Affect an Autistic Child’s Sleep

It is not uncommon for autistic children to struggle with sleep issues. There are different factors which may cause these issues, including the time at which they go to bed, what they do before they go to bed, where they sleep, and what they do during the day.

Tips for Making an Autistic Child’s Bedtime Better

There are different ways to help improve your child’s sleep cycle. In this portion of the guide, we will go through different tips to help your child get to sleep at night and feel better rested throughout the day.

Set Up a Bedtime Routine

Having a specific bedtime routine for your child to follow every night has been proven to promote positive sleep cycles. According to one peer-reviewed study, a stable bedtime routine is important not only for “healthy sleep, but also for broad development and wellbeing in early childhood.”

There are different ways to set up a bedtime routine for your child. For example, taking a bath, brushing teeth, and reading a fun book with your child every night before they go to sleep may help promote restful sleep. By repeating these activities consistently, your child will begin to associate them with bedtime, making the transition to sleep easier.

As part of a daily routine for your child before going to sleep. It is equally important to maintain consistency for the routine to work and help your child sleep. Another effective tool to add to a sleep routine is to remind your child at different intervals how close to bedtime they are, such as 30 minutes, 15 minutes, 5 minutes, and the like.

Keep Naps Early and Short

Long naps in the afternoon can make a regular bedtime especially difficult for your child as they may not feel fatigue until later in the night. In order to avoid this, it is important to keep naps short and early in the afternoon so that your child may comfortably go to sleep at their regular bedtime.

Figure Out How Much Sleep Your Child Needs

Depending on their age, your child will need different amounts of sleep. According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) official website, including naps, children between one and two years old require 11 to 14 hours of sleep, those three to five years old require 10 to 13 hours, and children six to twelve require 9 to 12 hours.

Avoid Screens Before Bedtime

A growing amount of research has shown that screens such as smartphones and tablets have a negative effect on sleep when used right before bedtime. According to one study published in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America journal, the increasingly widespread use of electronic screens has led to “delayed bedtime and/or decreased total sleep time” which in turn can have negative psychological effects on the person’s psychological and physical wellbeing.

Set Up an Environment Where Your Child Feels Safe

It is important for your child to feel safe and secure at night so they can sleep well. If certain decorations are anxiety-inducing for them, removing them may help them feel safer. Having their favorite toys and blanket with them can help them feel more comfortable as they go to sleep.

Why do Autistic Children Have Difficulty Sleeping?

It has been shown that children with autism are more likely to suffer from sleep problems such as insomnia, frequent awakening, and daytime sleepiness, than children who do not have autism. Sleep problems in children with autism may be due to “genetic, environmental, immunological, and neurological factors.”

These may also be caused by problems with melatonin releasing, as well as increased anxiety due to heightened sensitivity to external stimuli during the day which may disrupt the ability for the child to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.

Other Ways to Improve an Autistic Child’s Sleep

Along with a better sleep routine, avoiding screens before bedtime, and avoiding long and late naps, there are certain products which may help promote better sleep for an autistic child. These include blankets, sound machines, and special sleepy time pillows.

Blankets for Autistic Children

Weighted blankets are therapeutic blankets which are heavier than regular blankets and may help people living with sleep deprivation, anxiety, autism, and depression. For the best weighted blankets, we recommend the:

•   Dream Land Baby Company Weighted Blanket
•   SensaCalm Weighted Blanket

Weighted blankets can also be custom-made to perfectly adapt the child’s weight. Weighted blankets should never be used by a child under the age of one.

Other Products to Help an Autistic Child Sleep

There are other products to consider for your child if they are autistic and suffering from sleep problems. On the Autism Products website,you can find a long list of products specifically designed and adapted to autistic children’s needs. These include:

•   Autism Product ROHM Portable White Noise Sound Machine
•   Autism Product ZPod Autism Bed
•   Autism Product Sleepy Time Pillow

There are many different products available on the market to help autistic children sleep. It is important to speak with a medical professional before purchasing these products to make sure that they are 100% safe and beneficial for your child.

Conclusion

There are many different factors which may negatively affect an autistic child’s sleep. As a parent or guardian, it is important to take the time to identify what may help your child sleep and what you can do to help. If you are unsure or have additional questions, make sure to contact a medical professional to get the best possible information regarding your child’s sleep cycle and difficulties.

May you enjoy this holiday season to the fullest and welcome all the goodness in your life.

Children with autism often have trouble sleeping. There are many possible reasons for sleep issues, from sensory overload to difficulty winding down and irregular melatonin levels. In this article, we tell you more about sleep problems related to autism and offer useful tips to help your child sleep better. 

Are Sleep Disorders Common With Autism?

Sleep problems are twice as common in children with autism than among neurotypical children and those with other developmental disabilities. It is estimated that anywhere between 50% and 80% of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder have some type of sleep difficulty, for example: 

• Insomnia
• Restlessness and poor sleep quality
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Waking early and not being able to fall back to sleep
• Waking frequently during the night.

There are many factors that can cause autistic children to experience sleep problems. Read on to learn more.

What Causes Sleep Disorders in Children With Autism?

As with many other symptoms of autism, the causes of sleep disorders are not well understood. Some possible explanations include:

• Children with autism, unlike their neurotypical peers, don’t have the proper social skills to pick up on social cues that indicate when it’s bedtime.
• Autistic children produce less sleep-related hormone melatonin than neurotypical children.
• Children with autism spectrum disorder have atypical circadian rhythms, or the internal body clock.
• Many children with autism have sensory issues, such as sensitivity to certain sounds or white noise. These sounds may be upsetting or distracting and keep your child awake.
• Gastrointestinal problems, common in children with autism, may disrupt sleep.
• Increased levels of stress and anxiety, inability to relax, and ADHD can cause insomnia.
• Epilepsy and other neurological conditions may be another reason behind sleep difficulties in children with autism.

What Kind of Effects Do Sleep Problems Have?

Research has shown children with autism who have sleep problems display more severe behavioral and learning issues during the day, such as: 

• More pronounced social communication challenges
• More compulsive rituals and obsessive behaviors
• More instances of challenging behavior
• Hyperactivity
• Attention deficit disorder
• Irritability and aggression
• Depression
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder
• Poor learning and cognitive performance.

Fortunately, there are some tools that may help your child with autism with their sleep issues. 

Tips To Help Your Autistic Child Get More Sleep

All children need enough good-quality sleep to develop and grow, and children with autism are no exception. However, your child may need extra support to develop good sleep habits. Here’s what you can do to help: 

• Establish a nighttime routine. Put your child to bed at the same time every night and try to stick with the same routine also on weekends and holidays if possible.
• Help your child relax before bed by giving them a bath and a gentle back massage, reading a story, and turning on relaxing music.
• Create a predictable transition from waking to sleeping hours. Give your child a warning 15, 10, and 5 minutes before starting the bedtime routine. You can also use visual timers or auditory alarms.
• Avoid giving your child stimulants such as caffeinated drinks and sugar before bed.
• Switch off the television, video games, and phones at least an hour before bedtime.
• Make sure your child gets enough physical activity during the day.
• Keep your child’s bedroom cool, dark, and quiet in order to avoid sensory issues that may prevent them from sleeping well. Install thick carpeting, hang heavy curtains to block out the light, and set the room temperature to suit your child’s sensory needs.

• Use social stories to explain the importance of sleep to your child. In addition, social stories can also be used to reassure your child that they are safe when sleeping. 
• Use visual supports such as schedules and timetables as well as children’s books to explain to your child what they are expected to do at bedtime.

• Consider purchasing products designed for children with sensory issues, such as weighted blankets, soothing pillows, and white noise machines.

In the next section, we list some of the products that may help your child sleep better.

Blankets for Autistic Children

Dream Weighted Sleep Blanket for Kids

The Dream Weighted Sleep Blanket will keep your child with autism warm and safe at night. The blanket weighs 4lb and offers pressure stimulation to help naturally decrease anxiety, reduce sensory overload, and promote healthy sleep patterns. It is suitable for ages 3+.

Mosaic Weighted Blankets

The pressure of these weighted blankets offers a reassuring sensation that will help your child release the feel-good happy chemical serotonin and increase melatonin levels for better sleep. Mosaic Weighted Blankets come in several different sizes and a variety of fun patterns for your child to choose from. 

SensaCalm Weighted Blankets

SensaCalm is a family company that sells custom-made weighted blankets and other sensory products designed specifically for autistic children.

Other Products To Help an Autistic Child Sleep

Rohm Portable White Noise Sound Machine

Rohm compact portable white noise machine is suitable both for everyday use and for travel. It makes a soothing, consistent sound similar to that of a fan that will mask any disturbing noises and help your child sleep better. 

Blue Starry Bed Tent for Kids (Twin)

This special twin bed tent that glows in the dark is comforting for children who are afraid of the dark. It can also be used as a play area and a place for alone time during the day. The lightweight pop-up frame is very easy to set up and take down.

ZPod Autism Bed

ZPod beds are specifically designed to create an individualized enclosed sensory sleep space for children with autism. Each bed features intelligent lighting control, a white noise generator, air filter, room temperature control, and several other functions that will help children find better sleep. 

Sleepy Time Pillow

The natural fragrance of these small soothing pillows will calm your child’s mind from the anxieties of the day and help them relax. The pillows are filled with natural lavender flowers and flax seeds come in a variety of colors and textures. 

One kind word can warm three winter months.

~ Japanese Proverb

From our friends at caregiverlist.com

If your son or daughter was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you probably know that professional attention and care are crucial. Yet, they are also expensive.

In light of that, we put together this article to help you understand what your options are for paying for your autistic child’s ABA therapy treatments in Houston.

Click here if you want to learn more about our ABA therapy program in Houston.

What is ABA therapy?

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy enables autistic patients to manage and improve their symptoms.

Children with autism who undergo ABA therapy sessions typically perform better in the following areas:

• Academic performance
• Communication capabilities
• Reading
• Social skills
• Adaptive learning (for example, doing chores, employment, motor skills, and personal hygiene)

Because ABA therapy is the most prevalent treatment for autism, many people place a high value on it.

How much does ABA therapy cost on average?

The average cost of hiring a licensed and certified ABA therapist is $120 per hour. To clarify, this is equal to $4,800 if your child or loved one saw a practitioner for 40 hours per week.

On an annual basis, the expenses could add up to almost $250,000 for those who don’t have insurance.

Does Medicaid cover ABA therapy in Houston?

Three states’ Medicaid programs don’t include ABA therapy coverage, and Texas is among them.

Texas’s Law on Autism Insurance Coverage

In Texas, any health insurance plan is required, by law, to cover generally-recognized autism therapies and forms of care. However, for a health insurance plan to pay for ABA therapy, you need to obtain a recommendation from your or your loved one’s doctor.

Generally-Recognized Services

You want to keep in mind that Texas’s laws specifically use the term “generally-recognized services” when referring to prescribed ASD treatments that insurance plans must cover.

ABA therapy is among them, alongside the following “generally-recognized services”:

• Medications
• Nutritional supplements
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Speech therapy
• Other treatment plans

Although this requirement used to only apply to private insurance policies, it was recently extended to encompass state-funded coverage plans.

Does private insurance in Texas cover ABA?

This depends on the policy that you have. In short, there are two types of insurance plans in the Lone Star State:

Self-Funded Plans

With a self-funded policy, your employer (who provides the insurance) will directly cover the bill for ABA therapy sessions. After that, they contact the insurance company to receive reimbursement.

Employers that offer self-funded plans have contracts with insurance firms, and they work together on administering the treatments, maintaining claims records, and making payment/reimbursement arrangements.

In the past, only self-funded plans in Texas covered ABA therapy.

Fully-Funded Plans

On January 1st, 2010, a new law kicked in and mandated that state-funded plans pay for the care of any autistic child who is under the age of 10.

The Following Plans Cover ABA Therapy in Texas

Your insurance will cover your loved one’s ABA therapy costs in Houston (and in the state of Texas, in general) if you have a private health policy with one of those companies:

• Aetna
• Beacon/Value Options
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Texas
• Blue Cross Blue Shield Magellan
• Cigna Behavioral Health
• ComPsych
• Humana (LifeSynch)
• Magellan
• TRICARE
• United Health Care/United Behavioral Health/UMR

Texans and Houston residents who don’t have Medicaid or one of the above plans can still get ABA therapy coverage through alternative options.

Other Ways to Pay For ABA Therapy in Texas

The following governmental programs may help you pay for your child’s ABA therapy:

Supplemental Security Income

The Social Security Administration has a supplemental security income (SSI) for children program, and kids that are considered disabled could be eligible for it.

SSI is specifically designed to assist families and individuals that have a limited amount of income or resources.

Firstly, to qualify for SSI benefits, your kid must be under the age of 18. However, those who are attending college are entitled to these benefits until they become 22 years old.

Secondly, to obtain financial support through SSI’s disability program, your son or daughter must meet Social Security’s definition of “disabled”. To do so, you need to demonstrate two things (which shouldn’t be difficult for those with an autism diagnosis):

• The child’s disability causes “marked and severe functional limitations”.
• Their condition “has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months”.

Apart from the federal government, kids with ASD can get help from the state in Texas.

The Health and Human Services Children’s Autism Program

The Texas Health and Human Services Autism Program extends to any child who is a Texas resident, between 3 and 15 years of age, and officially diagnosed with autism.

The state’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will cover the costs of up to 180 hours of ABA therapy sessions per year. To clarify, this is the equivalent of 3 and a half hours per week.

Having said that, many autistic kids need 40 hours of ABA therapy (or at least when they initially start seeing a provider). If you’re in this situation, you should consider additional forms of support alongside the Texas HHS program.

Other Resources That Can Help Pay For ABA Therapy in Texas

There are several Texas-based and national nonprofit organizations that assist families with the expenses of ABA therapy.

• ACT Today: Autism Care Today/ACT Today has programs that pay for ABA therapy. Moreover, they can help you access funds through one of their many partner organizations.
• The People Project: Formerly known as the Huckleberry Foundation, the People Project “provides financial assistance to families with children in need of therapy stemming from special needs [and] mental health issues”. They are also launching a Mental Health Aid Fund that pays for evaluations, parental training, equine/horse therapy, prescriptions, and more.
• Autism Speaks: Autism Speaks, a nationally-renowned nonprofit, can refer you to a variety of programs and organizations based on your specific situation. Additionally, they have valuable financial planning tools and apps that are designed for parents.
• Giving Angels Foundation: The Giving Angels Foundation particularly caters to low-income households that have kids with physical or mental disabilities. Their one-time allowance/grant could be as high as $500, and families may obtain up to $50,000 per year in aid from this organization.

To summarize, the cost of ABA therapy is certainly expensive. While Medicaid in Texas doesn’t pay for it, the state’s laws require private insurance companies to do so.

The fact that there are multiple federal, state, and nonprofit programs that financially support the families of autistic children should give you even more options for ways to cover your son or daughter’s ABA therapy bill.

At Hidden Talents ABA, our goal is to guide you through the therapy process with your child and navigate any possible obstacles that occur. Learn more about our services at hiddentalentsaba.com

We all want the best for our children. That’s why we always go out of our way to provide for them and make their lives much easier. But what happens when you’re unable to afford to your child’s treatment?

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy is considered one of the best treatments for autistic children. However if your insurance is not going to cover the treatments it can get pretty expensive.

Therefore, we have put together this guide so you will understand all the payment options that are available to you.

But before we get into the payment options for ABA therapy in Atlanta, let’s take a quick look at the therapy itself. 

Click here if you want to learn more about our Atlanta based ABA therapy.

What is ABA Therapy?

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is a science that focuses on improving behaviors such as communication, social skills, academics, and reading. It’s also aimed at improving adaptive learning skills, including hygiene, fine motor dexterity, and domestic capabilities.

The therapy also aims to improve patients’ skills in grooming, punctuality, and job competence. All this is achieved through operant conditioning and positive reinforcement.

On Average, How Much Does ABA Therapy Cost?

Typically, a board-certified ABA therapist will charge you about $120 an hour. This adds up to $4800 a week for a child receiving 40 hours of therapy. If you don’t have insurance, you could end up spending up to $125,000 a year on ABA therapy.

For most parents, coming up with these figures is very challenging. Some may not even afford to get their children enough hours of therapy each week. Without sufficient time with patients, an ABA therapist can’t fully analyze behavioral changes or build rapport with them.

That being said, several factors come into play when determining the overall expenses for ABA therapy. They include:

•         The severity of the autism experienced by the child
•         Where the therapy will take place
•         Length of time spent with the ABA specialist
•         The individual ABA therapist’s desired rates and experience level

Does Medicaid Cover ABA Therapy in Atlanta?

Since January 1st, 2018, Medicaid has been providing coverage for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) patients under the age of 21. The coverage is provided according to the severity and medical necessity.

How to Get Medicaid Coverage for ABA Therapy

If you want to get Medicaid to cover ABA therapy in Atlanta, there is some paperwork you need to get in order. You must have a document indicating your child’s DSM-V diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. The diagnosis must also be from a licensed medical professional, such as a physician or psychologist.

A licensed physician or healing arts practitioner must also recommend ABA therapy for your child. The services must also be recommended to prevent autism spectrum disorder from progressing and improve the patient’s physical and mental health.

What Insurances Does Hidden Talent Accept?

Hidden Talent believes that children with autism can lead happy and productive lives. It focuses on helping children grow and thrive by improving social, communication, and adaptive skills.

It also understands the financial burden that ASD therapy can put on you as a parent. As such, it has partnered with various insurance companies to enable you to get the funding you need to cater to your child’s needs.

Hidden Talent accepts the following insurance companies:

•         Aetna
•         Ambetter
•         Amerigroup Community Care
•         BCBS
•         Beacon
•         Caresource
•         Cigna
•         ComPsych
•         Humana
•         Medicaid
•         OPTUM
•         Peachstate
•         Tricare
•         United Commercial
•         United Healthcare
•         Wellcare of Georgia

If you have any of the above as your insurance provider, contact them to get a full list of your benefits.

Does Georgia Have Caps of ABA Therapy Coverage?

According to Georgia laws, individuals with autism are entitled to meaningful coverage in state-regulated plans. Ava’s law, which was originally passed in 2015, has been amended to increase the limits on the coverage of ABA therapy to individuals between 0 and 21 years.

Also, each individual’s coverage is limited to a maximum annual benefit of $35,000 per year.

By law, the following services must be covered for those with autism:

•         Diagnosis and treatment of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
•         Rehabilitative services, including applied behavior analysis (ABA)
•         Counseling services provided by a licensed psychologist, licensed psychiatrist, clinical social worker, or professional counselor

Other Resources That Can Help Pay for ABA in Atlanta

Anchor of Hope Foundation

Steve and Debbie Harbin founded the Anchor of Hope Foundation in 2007. They were inspired by their son Jacob, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of three.

The couple spent years working with doctors and therapists, so they know the difficulties, disappointments, and discouragement that come with raising a special needs child. Despite this fact, they value the unique joy and blessings their son, Jacob, brings to their family. They also desire to help other families facing the same ordeal through the journey.

The foundation offers scholarship grants of up to $250 towards equipment, therapy, and other needs that are not covered by insurance. They hold offer tons of family events where both parents and autistic children can connect and share their experiences.

Avita Community Partners

Founded in 1999 by the Georgia State Legislature, Avita Community Partners serves individuals experiencing the disabling effects of developmental disabilities, mental illness, and addictive diseases.

They seek to promote stable, safe, and meaningful lives for citizens within a 13-county area in northeast Georgia.

United Healthcare Children’s Fund

The United Healthcare Children’s Fund Foundation offers timely financial support to families with autistic children. They help with the medical expenses that are not covered or fully covered by the families’ health insurance provider.

The Bottom Line

Caring for an autistic child can be challenging, especially when they don’t have access to the treatments they need to live happy and fulfilling lives. ABA therapy is scientifically proven to help autistic children live normal lives.

And although ABA therapy is expensive, there are tons of payment options out there that can help you finance your child’s treatment.

Many parents or caregivers of children with autism notice that their child struggles with sleep. This can be for a variety of reasons; one of the common conclusions is that children with autism suffer from sleep disorders. This article will explore that idea, giving possible causes and solutions.

Are Sleep Disorders Common with Autism?

It is estimated that anywhere between 50-80% of children with disorders on the autism spectrum struggle with some form of sleep disorder. This can range from difficulty falling asleep, restlessness or waking often/early, or insomnia to general poor sleep quality. Inconsistent sleep routines can exacerbate these struggles, but since the anxiety around sleep can also cause behavioral issues, it can be hard for caregivers to stick with solid sleep routines, making the cycle even worse.

There are many possible causes for this range of sleep disorders, which we will now discuss.

What Causes Sleep Disorders in Children with Autism?

In general, children use social cues to know when it is bedtime—seeing that their family members are slowing down and beginning to ease into a time of relaxing and quiet—but children with autism don’t easily pick up on social cues, often not at all. This can make it more difficult for the body and mind of a child with autism to recognize and feel comfortable with easing into bedtime.

Children with autism also might have increased sensitivity to outside stimuli. Meaning that neurotypical people can have lights on, watch TV, eat a sugary dessert, or play an enthusiastic board game right before bed and go to sleep just fine, but a child who is more sensitive to these stimuli will have an incredibly hard time winding down afterward and not be able to sleep.

Melatonin is also an important component of the sleep cycle, not only in children with autism but in all people. To make melatonin, the body needs an amino acid called tryptophan (which is in turkey, remember how people always say turkey makes you sleepy at Thanksgiving?); research has found that melatonin levels are either much higher or much lower in children with autism.

As you can imagine (or have already experienced), this range of sleep disorders or problems can have frustrating effects on the life of a child with autism and their family dynamic.

What Kind of Effects Do Sleep Problems Have?

Children with autism already struggle with things that come naturally to neurotypical children, such as sensory regulation, language skills, learning and cognitive skills, body balance, and more. In anyone, and especially in a child with autism, not having proper sleep can make all of these struggles even more intense and frustrating.

Research has shown that there is a connection between lack of sleep and the following characteristics in children with autism:

•         Aggression
•         Depression
•         Hyperactivity
•         Increased behavioral problems
•         Irritability
•         Poor learning and cognitive performance

Sleep disorders in children with autism are a hurdle for any caregiver, but there are many solutions that can help ease this part of life with a child with autism.

How Can I Help My Child Sleep Better?

There are plenty of things a parent or caregiver can do to help their autistic child sleep better. First, avoid stimulating food or activities within an hour of beginning the nighttime routine, such as caffeine and sugar. bThey make the nighttime process much more difficult as autistic children are more sensitive to outside stimuli. 

Next, establish a routine each night for the evening and going to bed. Make sure to begin this at the same time every night to help their body remember that it is time for sleep. You can help your child relax before bed by moving to a relaxing part of their room, giving a gentle back massage, or turning on soft music. 

To prevent sensory distractions during the night, put heavy curtains on your child’s windows to block out the light, install thick carpeting, and make sure the door doesn’t creak. You can also make sure that the temperature of the room and choice of bedding fit your child’s sensory needs. If they are comforted by it, a sound machine could help them zone into their space and prevent distractions from the rest of the house.

Sleeping Medication for Children with Autism

Many doctors or medical professionals recommend trying a sleeping medication for children with autism. There are many choices, each with its own benefits and potential side effects, so make sure to talk with your child’s provider and make a plan for their individual needs.

Some options are:

•         Antihistamines – usually for allergies, can help induce drowsiness
•         Motrin – an anti-inflammatory that can help calm the body
•         Melatonin – a form of what the body naturally produces to induce sleep
•         Clonidine – treats hypertension and ADHD but has sedative-like side effects
•         Benzodiazepines – mostly given to adults
•         Z drugs – many side effects reported
•         Antidepressants – may have sedative-like effects

Some children may experience a range of side effects from their doctor’s choice of medication, and others may not. Many children with autism are also on other medications, so the possibility of those drugs not working well together needs to be explored as well.

Final Thoughts

As with any parent who has a child struggling with something in life, you want to help your little one be comfortable, healthy, and successful. Sleep is important for all of us and especially so for children with autism. There are many things you can add to your daily and nighttime routine and many that you can remove to help your child sleep better.

“Respond to every call that excites your spirit.”

~ Rumi

From our friends at caregiverlist.com

Brushing Teeth for Children With Autism

Good oral hygiene is not only healthy but can also boost your quality of life. Unfortunately, many children with autism find this seemingly simple experience very challenging.

As a parent or caregiver, you have to guide them through this process and make it as pleasant as possible. First, let’s discuss why it’s challenging for a child with autism to brush their teeth.

Why is Brushing Teeth a Challenge for a Child With Autism?

Many children diagnosed with autism find tooth brushing a very unpleasant experience due to sensitivity issues. Medical professionals categorize these issues into two categories: hypersensitivity and hyposensitivity.

Hypersensitivity and Hyposensitivity

Hypersensitivity refers to heightened sensation and awareness of anything that goes in the mouth area. Children with hypersensitivity perceive tooth brushing as an over-stimulative and unpleasant experience when not performed correctly.

Hyposensitivity, on the other hand, refers to numbness or limited sensation in the oral region. Autistic children with hyposensitivity often feel anxious about the steps in the tooth-brushing process.

Whether a child is hypersensitive or hyposensitive, below are some tips that can make brushing his or her teeth easier.

Tips for Brushing an Autistic Child’s Teeth

1.      Get the Right Toothbrush

A regular toothbrush may feel unfamiliar or foreign for an autistic child with oral sensitivity. So, instead of a regular toothbrush, find one with soft or silicone bristles. A gentler toothbrush can help desensitize your child’s mouth, and in time, they will gradually grow accustomed to the sensation of having their teeth brushed.

2.      Get the Right Toothpaste

As an adult, you’ve had years to get used to mint-flavored toothpaste. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for autistic children with sensitivity issues. In most cases, regular toothpaste causes a bitter or burning sensation in their mouths.

Fortunately, there is a wide variety of toothpaste with child-friendly flavors out there. You can choose flavors like vanilla ice cream, berry, and bubblegum. If your child likes experimenting with colors, you can also get them multicolored toothpaste.

3.      Try Fluoride-Free and Unflavored Toothpaste

In some cases, toothpaste’s flavor and foaming might cause sensory overload. So, instead of regular flavored toothpaste, go for unflavored and non-foaming toothpaste.

Since the major ingredient in foaming toothpaste is sodium laureth sulfate, your pediatric dentist might suggest a herbal or powder toothpaste as an alternative. Similarly, if your child has difficulty swallowing, it might help to start them off with a fluoride-free toothpaste before gradually transitioning them into fluoride toothpaste.

4.      Try Flossing

If your child doesn’t like using a toothbrush, flossing can also help them develop good oral hygiene. For the best results, let your child choose their favorite flavor. Apart from flavor, you should also consider the correct floss size.

If your child has widely-spaced teeth, then a thick floss would work best for them. Similarly, if your child’s teeth are closer together, consider getting them a thinner floss.

If flossing doesn’t work, try other toothbrush varieties. For example, if your child struggles to hold a toothbrush, try placing a foam grip or tennis ball on the handle to make it easy to hold. Electric toothbrushes also come in handy in providing stimulation for autistic children with hyposensitivity.

5.      Create Incentives/Awards

Verbal praises and reward systems work great in reinforcing positive behavior. Consider complimenting and rewarding your child once they’re done brushing their teeth.

6.      Do It in the Room Where the Child Is Most Comfortable

Autistic children can benefit from visual supports and schedules that help them associate toothbrushing with a daily routine. While you’re at it, consider the child’s favorite room and place all their designated toothbrushing supplies in that room.

The tips above will improve your child’s experience when brushing their teeth. Now, let’s look at how your child should brush their teeth.

The Correct Way to Brush Teeth

When you brush your child’s teeth, make sure to clean the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces. The following steps can guide you in properly brushing your child’s teeth.

• Brush the top front teeth five times.
• Brush the bottom front teeth five times.
• Brush the bottom back teeth five times.
• Brush the top back teeth five times (outside, inside, and chewing surfaces).
• Brush the middle teeth five times (upper and lower incisors).
• Finally, brush the outside surfaces of teeth and rinse.

Toothpastes to Try

In most cases, regular toothpaste doesn’t work well with autistic children with sensitivity. That being said, the following examples of toothpaste have shown some very promising results with autistic children.

• Unflavored Toothpaste Oranurse – Oranurse is an unflavored toothpaste that’s specially formulated for autistic children who have a problem with taste. This non-foaming toothpaste has the daily recommended fluoride and does not contain any traces of sodium lauryl sulfate. This makes it especially suitable for autistic children who don’t like the taste of mint and also patients with sore mouths.

• Bob Unflavored Toothpaste – If your child does not like the taste of mint, then this might be the best toothpaste for them. This flavor-free toothpaste is made from natural xylitol and does not contain any harsh chemicals. Like our previous pick, this toothpaste also comes loaded with the recommended daily fluoride levels to provide the best cavity protection, tartar control, and enamel repair. It also comes in eco-friendly packaging.

• Jack N’ Jill Natural Kids Toothpaste – This toothpaste features a mild taste that makes it suitable for children who tend to swallow their toothpaste instead of spitting it out. It’s made from 100% natural ingredients like xylitol and calendula, which help actively prevent cavities and tooth decay. It also provides a soothing effect on the mouth and is gluten-free, fluoride-free, and SLP-free.

Best Toothbrushes for Autistic Kids

Finding the best toothbrush for your autistic kid can be pretty daunting. To make your shopping experience a little easier, we’ve reviewed two of the best toothbrushes for autistic kids.

• bA1 Sensory – This three-sided toothbrush has a 200% greater coverage per stroke and comes with very soft bristles to prevent sensory overload. The special expansion pleats allow the bristles to expand to different tooth widths, making it perfect for kids with oral motor issues. It also comes with an ergonomic handle that makes it very easy for kids to hold.

• CollisCurve™ – Special Needs Toothbrush – If you want to provide the best toothbrushing experience for your autistic kid, then you should probably get them a toothbrush that’s specially designed for sensitive gums. This toothbrush features flexible and gentle bristles that are sure to reach all your child’s teeth without causing them any discomfort. It also comes equipped with expansion pleats that allow the bristles to expand to different tooth widths for a deep clean.

·         Happi Teeth Auto Toothbrush – If your kid doesn’t like their regular toothbrush, why not switch it up with an automatic toothbrush? This automatic toothbrush is guaranteed to make their toothbrushing experience more fun. It comes in a hand-less design, which means they don’t have to hold it when brushing their teeth. All they have to do is place it in their mouth, and it will do the rest.

Unlike most toothbrushes in the market, this toothbrush doesn’t use bristles to clean teeth. Instead, it utilizes ultrasound technology which eliminates the sensory effects associated with regular toothbrushes. Its ultrasound technology also enables it to reach all parts of the mouth, providing a deep-clean action that actively eliminates plaque and bad breath.

The Bottom Line

Mouth sensitivity among autistic children makes it very hard for them to practice proper dental hygiene. But, with the proper technique, coupled with the right tools for the job, you can make your child’s toothbrushing experience both fun and effective.

For autistic children who struggle with sensory issues, having their hair brushed may be extremely challenging, leading to angry outbursts and meltdowns. Below, we list some techniques that you can use to make hair brushing a more enjoyable experience for your child with autism.

Why Is Brushing Hair a Challenge for a Child With Autism?

Many children with autism have a condition known as sensory processing disorder. This condition can make personal care tasks, including brushing and styling their hair, very difficult. 

What is sensory processing disorder?

Sensory processing disorder (SPD) is a type of neurological disorder that prevents the brain and nervous system from correctly integrating sensory input from the environment. There are two types of sensory processing issues: under-sensitivity and oversensitivity.  

Some children with SPD are under-sensitive (hyposensitive). They show little or no reaction to sensations like heat, cold, and pain and often seek more sensory stimulation. Other children are oversensitive (hypersensitive) to the information they receive through their senses, causing them to avoid these sensations. For a hypersensitive child with sensory processing disorder, loud noises, bright lights, and touch can feel overwhelming.

Most children with autism spectrum disorder experience a mix of the two sensory issues. They are hyposensitive to certain sensations and hypersensitive to others. 

What senses are affected?

Sensory processing disorder can affect one or more senses that may cause your child to struggle with having their hair brushed.

Tactile

Many children with sensory issues have very sensitive scalps and don’t like to have their heads touched by brushes or combs. Tactile sensitivity is the most common reason for problems with hair care in autistic children.

Vestibular

The vestibular system controls the body’s sense of balance and motion. Some children don’t like having their heads tilted backward or forward when you brush their hair. It can make them feel uncomfortable, unsteady, and scared.

Auditory

Some autistic children are extremely sensitive to the sound of clippers or water in a shower.

Olfactory

Your child may react to the smell of hair products, which makes the hair brushing experience unpleasant.

Here are some tips on how to make hair brushing less stressful and slowly integrate it into your child’s daily routine. 

Tips for Brushing an Autistic Child’s Hair

• Determine the cause of your child’s aversion to hair brushing. Once you understand what your child’s main sensory issues are, you will be able to eliminate the causes of stress. 
• Accept that your child’s resistance to hair brushing doesn’t mean they’re being difficult. There might be a real sensory issue that is causing them pain or discomfort.
• Give your child more control, for example, allow them to choose hair products and let them brush and style their own hair.
• Don’t expect your child to sit still while you brush and style their hair. Let them play with a fidget, stress ball, or watch TV as a distraction.
• Let your child look at the mirror while you’re brushing their hair to give them a greater sense of control.
• Choose a low-maintenance hairstyle for your child that will require less brushing.

• Children with a sensory processing disorder depend on a reliable routine. Try to brush your child’s hair at the same time each day. It’s usually a good idea to do this after physical activity later in the day as children are often more sensitive in the morning.
• Make a visual schedule to break down hair brushing into smaller steps. This will also help your child understand what is expected from them.
• Use a visual timer to let your child know how long brushing their hair will take.

• Many autistic children are sensitive to gentle touch. Make sure to place your hand firmly at the top of your child’s head and brush small sections of the hair at a time. Hold a strip of hair above any tangles so that your child doesn’t feel the tugging as you pull the tangle loose. 
• Massage your child’s scalp before you start brushing their hair. This can help decrease sensitivity.
• If your child doesn’t like having their hair brushed, you may try switching to a brush designed for children with sensory issues. The hairbrush should have soft bristles with rounded heads to make the experience more comfortable. Let your child choose a brush that feels good.
• Use a good-quality hair detangling product to reduce discomfort. 

Keep on reading to find out what are the best brushes and hair detanglers for children with autism. 

Brushes for Children With Autism

Tangle Teezer Salon Elite Detangle Hairbrush

This professional detangling brush with memory flex technology can be used for all hair types. It eliminates tangles and knots on both wet and dry hair and minimizes breakage. 

Tanglefix

Tanglefix is perfect for brushing and detangling straight, wavy, and curly hair. This brush is lightweight and features soft bristles and easy-grip sides for better control. 

Knot Genie Detangling Brush

Knot Genie lets you easily brush and detangle your child’s hair. Its cloud-shaped top will fit your palm perfectly whether you’re right or left handed to make the brushing process more comfortable.

Hair Detanglers for Children With Autism

Johnson’s No More Tangles Spray Detangler

Johnson’s mild detangling spray instantly unlocks knots and tangles, making hair brushing and styling easier. The product can be used on wet or dry hair. It is hypoallergenic and contains no parabens, phthalates, sulfates, or synthetic colors.

SoCozy Detangler Leave-In Conditioner Spray For Kids Hair

SoCozy detangler will soften your child’s hair in a matter of seconds, making it easy to brush. It is suitable for all hair types and will leave your child’s hair soft and shiny. This detangler contains keratin, soy protein, and kiwi extract to moisturize and protect the hair. It has no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, dyes, or allergens. 

Mane ‘n Tail Detangler The Tangles and Knots Solution

The Mane ‘n Tail detangler is formulated with natural herbal extracts to help nourish and strengthen your child’s hair. It’s safe and gentle for all hair types.

Most of us think of taking a bath as a relatively relaxing experience, but for someone who is sensitive to stimuli, there’s actually a lot going on.

When parents bathe their autistic children, they face a variety of challenges. Below we’ll discuss why that is and what parents can do to make bath time with an autistic child a more pleasant experience for everyone.

What is autism?

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a developmental disability. However, the reason it’s referred to as a “spectrum” disorder is because there is a wide variety of conditions that fit into this category, and some cases are more severe than others.

In general, autism is often characterized by delays in social development, communication issues, repetitive behaviors, and challenges related to interacting with the outside world.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 54 children in the United States today.

Why may someone with autism have a bathing issue?

When a child is diagnosed on the autism spectrum, you may have trouble interacting with them. Characteristics of autism that can lead to challenges while bathing a child, specifically, include:

–          Their likeliness to get upset by minor changes

–          Their desire to follow specific routines

–          Physical reactions such as hand flapping and body rocking

–          Unexpected (and often unpleasant) reactions to the way things sound, smell, taste, look, or feel

–          Their hyperactive and impulsive behavior

But the main challenge for children on the autism spectrum when it comes to bath time is their reaction to physical stimuli. An autistic child may find bath time traumatic, which in turn makes it hard for whoever is bathing them.

Heightened sensory issues

Children on the autism spectrum are often overstimulated during bath time. This may be because they do not enjoy the sounds and feelings associated with being in the bath or the need to sit still during their discomfort.

Some of the things that may affect them negatively include: 

            – Splashing or running water

            – Water temperature

            – Bathroom lights

            – The smells of soaps or shampoos

            – The feeling of soap on their skin

            – The feeling of being towel-dried or wrapped in a towel

            – The feeling or fear of getting soap in their eyes

            – The sound of water draining

As a result of these negative feelings, children may develop a fear of water. They may also get anxious about getting out of the tub and being exposed to the cold air or slippery surfaces.

A bathtub is a relatively confined space, which can lead to feelings of claustrophobia as well.

Tips for bathing someone with autism

The best way to make bath time more enjoyable (or at least less traumatic) for everyone is to limit a child’s exposure to potential fears as much as possible and play to their strengths.

Pick a time that works for them

Children on the autism spectrum generally like routine. If bath time happens at the same time and in the same way each day, there may be less room for anxiety over the unexpected.

It may also be wise to schedule bath time a few hours before or after other stimulating activities so the child is already calm and not overstimulated. 

Prepare the bath in advance

If your child is sensitive to sounds, fill the bathtub without them in the room. You may also keep in mind the height at which they prefer the water. Some children do not like to be submerged more than is necessary.

You can also perform a temperature check so you know the bath water will not be too hot or too cold for the child and cause them extra discomfort.

In addition, if you prepare a child’s bath ahead of time, you will have the chance to remove any items (such as toys or excess bottles) that might cause them anxiety.

Make a to-do list

Uncertainty on the part of the parent or child makes bath time more difficult. That’s why it may be helpful to make a list of everything you need to do in order to prepare your child for bath time.

In the event that another guardian is bathing them, having a list will help them keep bath time as consistent as possible for your child as well.

Minimize fragrances

Most fragrances are artificial anyway, so a fragrance-free bathroom might be in everyone’s best interests.

Children on the autism spectrum can react poorly to strong or new smells, so it’s a good idea to minimize fragrances by doing the following:

–          Eliminate air fresheners or other scented decor from the bathroom your child uses for bath time

–          Invest in soaps and shampoos that are fragrance-free

Decide if a shower or bath is better

In some cases, a shower may be a better option than a bath for a child on the autism spectrum. It will all depend on the individual and how they respond to the feeling of water on their skin.

Try both a bath and shower with your child, making sure you use a routine, pay close attention to water temperature, and eliminate as many scents as possible before deciding which they respond to best.

Toys for bath time

Some autistic children are easier to bathe when they are distracted by toys. Here are a few bath tub items to try:

Sensory sponges – This 14-piece sponge set is practical and playful. The different textures will allow your child to choose what they enjoy most. Click here for purchase information.

Bath crayons – These easy-wash crayons are a great distraction for children who don’t enjoy bath or shower time, but do love to get creative. They let your child focus on something more pleasant so bath time is over before they know it. Click here for purchase information.

PipSquigz – This silicone suction toy is designed to get your child to notice it rather than their surroundings. They can provide a soothing sensory experience for younger children. Click here to purchase.

Shampoo, body wash, and conditioner for autistic children

It’s important to choose cleansing items carefully for your autistic child to eliminate any unwanted smells or textures. Here are a few recommended items for bath or shower time:

Nature Clean Kids Shampoo & Body Wash – A two-in-one product that is hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, natural, and non-irritating.

Suave Sensitive Skin 3-in-1 Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash – This product takes care of all 3 bathing necessities in one bottle. It’s also fragrance-free.

Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Fragrance Free Shampoo & Wash – This two-in-one product is also formulated for sensitive skin and senses. 

“Children with autism are colorful – They are often very beautiful and, like the rainbow, they stand out.”

~ Adele Devine

Hidden Talents ABA provides treatment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our focus is to help children grow and thrive by improving communication, social, and adaptive skills. Learn more about our services at hiddentalentsaba.com

We believe that children with autism can lead happy, and productive lives. Through the expert care and guidance of our trained BCBAs, your child can achieve more than you thought possible. Learn more about our services at hiddentalentsaba.com

This October we are recognizing Down Syndrome Awareness Month to raise awareness and to advocate for the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome.

At Hidden Talents ABA, we believe that children with autism can lead happy, healthy, and productive lives. Learn how we are giving children a greater chance at success at hiddentalentsaba.com

Although there’s no cure for autism, a range of therapies can help reduce the most common symptoms associated with the condition. However, early diagnosis and interventions are crucial for achieving long-term positive effects on skill development. Continue reading to find out what types of early autism solutions are available and how they can help autistic children reach their full potential.

What Type of Therapy Do Autistic Children Need?

Most therapies for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder are based on either a behavioral or developmental approach. The two approaches are often combined and used in speech, occupational, physical, and social development therapies, depending on the child’s individual needs.

Behavior therapies

Behavior therapies, generally referred to as applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapies, are used to help children with autism learn new skills, reinforce positive behaviors, and reduce unwanted ones. 

Techniques typically used in behavioral therapies include:

• Discrete Trial Training (DTT), a technique that breaks down skills into smaller components that are easy to learn. 
• Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI), a comprehensive instruction method used for autistic preschoolers. 
• Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), a play-based treatment initiated by the child.
• Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation (JASPER), the approach that identifies and treats the principal deficit areas in autistic children.

Developmental therapies

Developmental therapies help promote social interactions by teaching the necessary social, communication, and daily living skills. 

Examples of developmental therapies include:

• Developmental Social-Pragmatic (DSP) treatment, a model that uses everyday interactions between autistic children and the caregiver in order to promote communication skills.
• Developmental and Individual Differences Relationship (DIR) therapy, also called Floortime, that builds on strengths, interests, and already existing communication skills to motivate autistic children to learn new skills.
• Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), a family-centered approach designed to build relationships through sharing various emotional and social experiences.
• Responsive Prelinguistic Milieu Teaching (RPMT), an intervention for autistic children who are nonverbal or who have significant speech delays.

Combined therapies

Certain therapies for autism combine elements of behavioral and developmental approaches. These therapies are often shown to be the most effective ones. For example, behavioral therapy may show better results if it also includes elements of developmental therapies that focus on learning skills.

Combined therapies include:

• Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), a play-based therapy that helps develop social communication in children with autism.
• Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transactional Support (SCERTS) that uses elements from several other approaches, including ABA, Floortime, and RDI. 

Therapy-based supports

Therapy-based supports for autistic children target specific difficulties when it comes to development or communication skills. They are often used together with, or as part of, other therapies and include: 

• Speech therapy that addresses challenges with language and communication
• Occupational therapy that helps develop fine motor and daily living skills
• Key Word Sign strategy, the use of signs and gestures to support language development
• Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) which allows communication through pictures.

Below, we focus on the benefits of ABA therapy for children with autism. 

What Is Aba Therapy?

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is the most popular therapy for autism offered in early childhood. It focuses on changing unwanted behaviors while reinforcing desirable ones through positive reinforcement in the form of rewards and other incentives. 

ABA therapy can help your child with autism build and strengthen social and communication skills, such as:

• Increase attention, focus, and memory
• Learn to follow directions and instructions
• Improve language skills 
• Learn to initiate conversations and respond to questions

• Help understand social cues like facial expressions and body language
• Reduce problematic behaviors such as aggressivity and meltdowns
• Help acquire basic academic and pre-academic skills.

Read on to find out more about the different types of early intervention therapies. 

What Is Considered Early Intervention Therapy?

Early interventions take place at or before preschool age. An early intervention therapy can be used already at the age of 2 or 3, as soon as your child is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. At this age, your child’s brain is still forming, which increases the chances of treatments being effective in the long run.

There are several different types of early intervention therapies that can help your child gain the basic physical, cognitive, communication, and emotional skills that they would typically learn in the first years of life. These therapies include:

• Occupational therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Speech therapy
• Hearing impairment services
• Nutritional therapy
• Psychological therapy
• Family training.

Autistic children often benefit from a combination of these therapies. In addition, they often need different therapies or therapy combinations at various stages of their development.

We’ve seen that there are many effective treatments that can help reduce autism symptoms, but you may be wondering whether early treatment increases the chances that your child will outgrow autism. 

Can Early Autism Go Away?

Autism is typically considered a lifelong condition, although research shows that some children can outgrow a diagnosis. However, children who are likely to see radical improvement are those with normal or above normal IQ and mild autism symptoms that don’t include issues such as seizures, speech delays, learning disabilities, or severe anxiety. 

And that’s not all. Results can only be achieved with rigorous long-term therapy. For example, ABA-based early intervention requires up to 40 hours of treatment per week for several years before you can see a significant improvement.  

It is also important to keep in mind that even high functioning children who appear to outgrow autism often continue to struggle with sensory issues, communication difficulties, and other challenges.

Does Medication Help Autism?

Medication can’t cure autism, but it can effectively treat symptoms that autistic children may experience, for example:

• Stress and anxiety
• Hyperactive behavior
• Obsessive compulsive behavior
• Aggressive behavior
• Self-harming behavior
• Seizures
• Tics
• Sleep disorders.

Medications that are used to treat these symptoms include:

• Typical antipsychotics (haloperidol, chlorpromazine, and fluphenazine) and typical antipsychotics (risperidone and aripiprazole) for reducing autism-related irritability 
• Stimulants (dexamphetamine and methylphenidate) for a temporary increase in mental or physical functions.

Medications for treating symptoms of autism are most effective when combined with behavioral or developmental therapies.

Autism is a developmental disability. It’s characterized by relationship, social, communication, and behavioral challenges. The disorder is a spectrum condition, meaning it affects you differently and with varying degrees. Autism appears during early childhood and does not fall in the medical conditions category. 

There is nothing significant that sets you apart from the rest if you’re autistic. The only difference is that you learn, think and solve problems differently. Let’s start by understanding bipolar disorder to know how it compares to autism.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes regular mood swings. The mood swings can be high (mania or hypomania) or low (depression). It’s known to affect your energy, sleep, thinking, behavior, and other day-to-day tasks. Here are the three common types of bipolar disorders:

Bipolar I Disorder

You know you have this variant when you start experiencing manic episodes that last for at least one week. Sometimes, the episodes become so severe that you need emergency medical care. You may also experience depressive episodes that last for two weeks. Bipolar I disorder is characterized by:

• Heightened mood 
• Exaggerated optimism
• Inflated self-esteem
• Excessive irritability or aggressive behavior
• Decreased need for sleep
• Racing speech or thoughts
• Impulsiveness or poor judgment
• Reckless behavior

In more severe cases, you may experience psychosis involving delusions and hallucinations.

Bipolar II Disorder

Unlike bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder is characterized by depressive episodes. However, the episodes are not as extreme as those in bipolar I. Symptoms of bipolar II include:

• Low mood
• Extended sadness, even crying unexpectedly at certain times
• Major effects in appetite and sleep patterns
• Anxiety and anger issues
• Reduced energy 
• Feelings of guilt and unworthiness 
• Reduced or zero concentration 
• Regular suicidal thoughts
• Psychosis in extreme cases

Cyclothymic Disorder 

Manic and depressive behavior episodes characterize this bipolar variant. However, it’s less intense than the other two types mentioned above. The behaviors can last up to two years in adults and one year in children. 

Note that you can escalate bipolar episodes if you misuse drugs and alcohol. As a result, you may suffer from a condition known as “dual diagnosis.” Dual diagnosis requires a specialist to tackle both problems.

Next, let’s look at how bipolar disorder and autism relate to each other.

Are Autism and Bipolar Disorder Related?

Bipolar disorder may manifest in people with autism during early childhood development. According to a 2008 study, 27 percent of people with autism show symptoms of bipolar disorder. Scientists also suggest that 4% of the general population with bipolar disorder may be over-diagnosed. This is because it’s hard for people with autism to relate feelings properly. 

The probability of developing both conditions is not yet clear. It’s also unclear what factors or triggers lead to high chances of suffering from autism or bipolar disorders. 

But in some cases, these conditions are genetic. So if you have a close family member with autism, you have a higher chance of developing it. The same applies to bipolar disorder or depression. 

Some experts say that autism and bipolar disorder activate specific genes in astrocytes. Astrocytes are star-shaped brain cells that are important components of the central nervous system (CNS). Sometimes, it’s hard to differentiate between autism and bipolar disorder because their symptoms are similar. 

Read on to find out how their symptoms overlap each other.

Overlapping Symptoms of Autism and Bipolar Disorder

Studies show that a huge percentage of individuals with bipolar disorder are misdiagnosed with autism and vice versa. This is because the two conditions share similar symptoms. Therefore, it can be hard for doctors to tell the difference.

To establish whether you have autism, bipolar, or a combination of both conditions, the psychiatrist assesses how often the symptoms occur. They also assess how long the symptoms occur and the severity.

For instance, it’s normal for you to talk too much or lose focus easily if you have autism. But when you suddenly start experiencing high energy episodes, acting inappropriately, and going for days without sleep, you likely have bipolar I disorder. 

Research by the National Library of Medicine suggests that young adults diagnosed with both bipolar disorder and autism have higher chances of:

• Experiencing mood symptoms earlier
• Being easily distracted 
• Developing racing thoughts
• Being socially withdrawn 

Due to the overlapping symptoms in both conditions, a doctor may mistakenly diagnose you with autism instead of bipolar disorder, and vice versa. Below are some of the similarities in behavioral differences of the two conditions:

• Being prone to accidents 
• Difficulty in organizing thoughts 
• Excessive talking
• Easily distracted
• Getting in trouble or doing risky things
• Mood swings (either elevated or depressing)
• Extreme irritability
• Hostility behaviors
• Tendency of repeating certain activities or behaviors
• Sleeplessness 

Psychiatrists may find it hard to diagnose mental health problems in autistic individuals. This is especially true if they have significant levels of impaired communication and intellectual abilities. Currently, there is no treatment for autism. However, there are bipolar treatments that have proven to be a success in the past. 

If you’re suffering from both conditions, you should be careful when taking medications. This is because they react differently with different individuals. For example, antidepressants may worsen bipolar disorder symptoms. 

It’s highly recommended that you combine both behavioral interventions and medical treatments for optimal results. Behavioral management involves the following practices:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: It helps understand your thoughts and emotions to know how they relate to your actions.
• Family Therapy: It focuses on your family members to help them learn how to support you.
• Education: It helps decrease depression symptoms and ease uncertainty.
• Applied Behavior Analysis: It aims to encourage positive behavior and reduce negative ones.

Get Help From the Right Physician

Autism and bipolar disorder share the same symptoms. It’s therefore hard to diagnose them when the two conditions co-occur. Managing them involves a series of medications and behavioral interventions. This is why you need an experienced physician to treat your condition.

National Child Health Day occurs annually on the first Monday in October. The day recognizes the care and guidance children need to grow strong and healthy. Whether it’s their environment, the food they eat or how much TV they watch, the day is an excellent opportunity to support the children in your life. 

Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

From our friends at Caregiverlist, Inc

Autism specialists are trained and certified to work with autistic individuals in a variety of settings. In this article, you’ll learn more about the roles and responsibilities of autism specialists and how they can help children with autism overcome their sensory, social, and emotional challenges. 

What Is an Autism Specialist? 

An autism spectrum disorder specialist (ASDS) is a person who is trained to work with children and adults diagnosed with autism. An autism specialist can provide a range of educational and therapeutic services, in addition to designing and developing treatment plans to address the symptoms of autism. Treatments may include everything from speech therapy and sensory therapy to social skills training, physical therapy, and the use of assistive technology. 

Autism specialists work together with other professionals and educators to evaluate, treat, plan, and manage challenging behaviors. They also monitor the progress and review the areas that need improvement for an autistic person to reach their intended goals. Because every person with autism is different and faces unique challenges, treatments provided by autism specialists are customized to suit the patient’s individual needs.

Besides improving outcomes for the autistic child at home and in the classroom, an autism specialist’s roles include: 

• Counseling families about any problems they are currently experiencing
• Holding regular meetings with families to discuss the child’s current needs
• Referring to families for further support if needed
• Helping families of autistic children fight for their rights and making sure they are being treated with equality.

It’s important to keep in mind that autism spectrum disorder specialists are not medical doctors. This means that they don’t prescribe medication or diagnose medical conditions. However, autism specialists often work with a team of healthcare professionals when treating autistic individuals in clinical settings. 

Becoming a certified autism specialist takes years of training and experience. Keep on reading to learn more about the ASDS education requirements.

What Type of Training Do Autism Specialists Go Through? 

Most autism specialist positions require a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA). Before getting a master’s degree, the candidate needs to obtain a bachelor’s degree in either applied behavior analysis or a related field such as: 

• Early childhood education
• Special education
• Educational psychology
• Psychology
• Social work
• Counseling.

Moreover, graduate programs in applied behavioral analysis typically include gaining practical experience through an internship in a healthcare or school setting. 

Some autism specialist entry-level positions, such as assistant behavior analyst and working with autistic individuals in residential care and supported living environments, require only a bachelor’s degree or a bachelor’s degree accompanied with specialized training in treating autism spectrum disorder. 

In the course of their studies, autism specialists learn about the topics such as:

• Child psychology
• Theories related to the autism spectrum disorder
• Teaching methods for special education
• Special communication methods
• Behavior analysis
• Autism treatment methods
• Crisis intervention.

Additional requirements

Some employers may require a teaching degree or certification as well as the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification to work as an autism spectrum disorder specialist. State license to practice behavioral therapy may also be required by some states. 

Autism certification

Educators and licensed professionals who work with autistic children and adults are eligible to attend the autism specialist certification program offered by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) and obtain the Autism Certificate. This certification is reserved for professionals who have been working in the field for at least two years and who have a minimum of a master’s degree. It must be renewed every two years. 

The autism specialist certification program covers the following topics:

• Identifying typical behaviors and characteristics of a person diagnosed with autism
• Using applied behavioral analysis techniques to help manage and change the behaviors of autistic children
• Identifying appropriate evidence-based strategies for working with children with autism
• Selecting the best strategies to suit the individual needs of each child
• Understanding federal and state regulations regarding the education of children with autism
• The history of the terms related to autism spectrum disorder.

Necessary skills

Aside from an in-depth knowledge of managing autism spectrum disorder, autism specialists must also have the following personal skills:

• Passion for working with autistic children
• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent analytical and judgment skills
• Ability to build a good relationship with children and their families in order to assess the type of help they need
• Active listening skills to ensure that they fully understand the challenges the child is dealing with and to be able to offer tailored solutions
• Complex problem-solving skills to ensure they’re providing the best possible treatment to each child
• Creativity to use in games and activities
• Ability to provide encouragement in all areas of therapy.

Where Do Autism Specialists Work? 

Autism specialists work with autistic children both in groups and in one-on-one settings. They can provide therapy or assistance in a classroom, private counseling, medical facilities, residential centers, or at home. 

An autism specialist can help reduce your child’s challenging behaviors such as frustrated outbursts, anger, and aggression, while at the same time increasing positive behaviors like focusing, following instructions, and communicating effectively with other people.

Working in an educational setting

Your child with autism spectrum disorder may be placed in a general education classroom where they get special assistance from an aide, a special education classroom, or a special class where they receive additional help several hours per day. Autism specialists can work in any of these settings either as assistants, general education teachers who offer specialized instruction for children with autism, or as special education teachers. 

In a classroom setting, autism specialists not only help autistic students improve their academic skills such as arithmetic, spelling, and handwriting, but they also facilitate their interaction with peers and help them deal with challenging social situations. Their work also includes planning lessons and games that involve both autistic and other students and monitor their interactions.

In addition to assisting autistic children, autism specialists also work with neurotypical children in the same classroom. They may teach them about the challenges that autistic students face and what they can do to improve peer interactions. For example, autism specialists can teach students how to model behaviors for autistic children and how to interact with them in a way that promotes positive behaviors.

Providing in-home therapy

In-home treatment for autism has benefits not only for children but also for their families. An autism specialist is someone who understands the child’s unique needs and behaviors and is equipped to deal with them. Having an autism specialist who works with the child at home allows parents to learn new skills and techniques for managing their child’s needs. In addition, with in-home therapy, parents and other family members are able to actively participate in the therapy themselves.

Salary of an Autism Specialist

The salary of autism specialists depends on their educational background and years of experience. The typical entry-level salary of an autism specialist is $29,000 per year. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, autism specialists who work as special education teachers earn a median salary ranging from $55,840 per year for preschool teachers to $61,420 per year for teachers at the secondary school level. The median annual salary of autism specialists who work as clinical, counseling, and school psychologists is $82,180 per year. 

Now that we know what an autism spectrum disorder specialist does, let’s see what are the benefits of having a specialist work with your autistic child.

How Can an Autism Specialist Help Your Child? 

If your child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, you will want to use as many resources as possible to help them overcome their challenges and improve their quality of life. A certified autism specialist can help with a range of sensory, social, and emotional difficulties typical for the condition. 

Sensory challenges 

Most children with autism spectrum disorder are to some degree affected by sensory overload. Crowds, excessive noise, bright lights, and strong tastes and smells may feel overwhelming and disruptive because they provide more sensory input than the child’s brain can process.

An autism specialist will show your child what to do when they start to feel overwhelmed and help them establish effective self-soothing strategies. Different strategies are effective for different children, so the specialist will work together with your child to find out the best coping method. This can be anything from practicing deep breathing, counting to ten, using sensory toys or fidgets, or taking a walk. They will start by practicing these strategies together so that your child has a concrete plan in place that they can use as soon as they experience a sensory overload.

Moreover, an autism specialist will show your child what are the appropriate responses to sensations overload, also known as sensory modulations. These responses will allow your child to learn appropriate behaviors, maintain focus, and avoid strong emotional reactions. At the same time, the specialist will work on decreasing negative behaviors, including angry outbursts and meltdowns.

Social interactions

Children with autism often show little or no interest in the world around them and have a limited understanding of other people’s feelings. As a consequence, they may experience social interactions as unpredictable and frightening. For example, they may not understand the purpose of greeting someone, waiting for their turn to speak, showing facial expressions, or maintaining eye contact. 

What’s more, children with autism often have inflexible behaviors and interests that make it difficult to form and maintain friendships and may lead to social isolation, for example: 

• Repeating the same actions or movements over and over again, such as flapping hands, rocking, twirling, or spinning objects
• Following strict routines
• Unusual attachments to objects
• Lining objects and toys up or arranging them in a certain order
• Having very restricted areas of interest. 

An applied behavioral analyst will work with your child to change these behaviors, for example, teach them how to greet others, take turns, make eye contact, or pay attention to the person who is talking to them. Certified autism specialists will help your child develop social skills in a way that they can interact with their classmates and others around them a little easier. This type of support requires careful planning and a fully personalized approach. 

Emotional interactions

Children with autism are generally resistant to change and prefer familiar situations and activities. They may struggle to control their emotions in new and unpredictable situations and transition to another activity or setting. Any disruption in their routines could cause frustration, anger, and unusually intense emotional reactions compared to their neurotypical peers. 

Changes in routines or in the environment that result in high levels of stress and anxiety can affect the child both psychologically and physically. Anxiety disorders, including obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias, and social anxieties, are the most common comorbid conditions in children with autism. 

Teaching autistic children how to recognize and manage emotions can help them understand and respond better to others. Autism specialists encourage emotional development in autistic children by using methods such as sensory and speech therapy, games, and exercises. They work on emotional skills like emotional labels and shared attention, so that your child can generalize what they learn in therapy sessions to their everyday lives.

A certified autism specialist can also help autistic children manage their emotions in the classroom setting where having a meltdown could severely impact their learning and that of other students. Having dedicated support will help your child feel safe while they are doing their schoolwork.

We’ve seen that most autism specialists hold a degree in applied behavioral analysis (ABA). But what exactly does this type of therapy consist of and why is it so effective for treating autism? 

ABA Therapy

What is ABA therapy?

ABA stands for applied behavior analysis, a type of therapy that focuses on changing unwanted behaviors while at the same time reinforcing desirable ones. Developed by psychologist Ivar Lovaas in the 1970s, ABA therapy has been successfully used to help children with autism and related developmental disorders ever since.

ABA therapy can help children with autism build and strengthen social and communication skills, for example:

• Improve their language skills 
• Help them acquire basic academic and pre-academic skills
• Increase their attention, focus, and memory
• Teach them to follow directions and instructions

• Help them understand social cues such as facial expressions and body language
• Teach them how to initiate conversations and respond to questions in an appropriate way
• Reduce problematic behaviors such as aggressivity, anger outbursts, and meltdowns.

The success of ABA therapy depends on two main factors: personalization and persistence.

Personalization 

An autism specialist has to identify specific areas where each child needs improvement so that they can design and develop an effective treatment plan and ensure the child’s progress. When devising a treatment plan, autism specialists must take into consideration factors such as the age of the child, their level of functioning, individual needs and preferences, and particular skills they need help with.

Persistence

Applied behavior analysis therapy is a rigorous teaching method that can be very effective, however, results don’t appear overnight. Dedicating enough time to therapy is essential for the success of ABA therapy. Most children with autism will benefit from an intensive, ongoing approach to teaching appropriate behaviors and changing the unwanted ones. They may need anywhere from 20 to 40 hours per week for two years or more to show significant improvement. 

How does ABA therapy work?

Applied behavior analysis therapists use a range of positive reinforcement techniques to reward positive behaviors. When a desirable behavior is followed by a special treat or activity, the child is more likely to repeat the action in the future. Over time, this method leads to positive behavioral changes in children diagnosed with autism. 

Typically, ABA therapy is based on breaking down essential skills into small, concrete steps. It then builds toward more significant changes in functioning and independence levels. Therapy sessions may include a combination of play, direct instructions, various activities, adaptive skills training, as well as parental guidance. ABA therapy offers customized treatment based on each child’s individual strengths and weaknesses.

How successful is ABA therapy? 

Over the last several years, there has been a significant increase in the use of ABA therapy as a means of developing social, sensory, emotional, and other skills in autistic children. There is no doubt that this is a challenging and time-consuming process, however, with time, effort, and patience, many children will ultimately learn to be independent and function in social settings. 

ABA therapy is currently considered the most effective form of autism treatment and has been endorsed by the U.S. Surgeon General. With early intervention, close to 50% of children on the autism spectrum reach a development level at which they are indistinguishable from their neurotypical peers, while the general improvement rate of using ABA therapy is over 90%. 

For more information about ABA therapy, feel free to call us at 404-487-6005, send us an email at info@hiddentalentsaba.com, or fill out our contact form, and we’ll be in touch with you as soon as possible. 

If your son or daughter has autism, safety is constantly on your mind. You want others to know about the diagnosis, and you want to ensure that medical providers have any needed information during emergencies. You can accomplish this by having your son or daughter wear an autism bracelet.

What Is an Autism Bracelet?

An autism bracelet is essentially a medical ID for people who are on the spectrum. The bracelets quickly communicate that the wearer has autism. Plus, the bracelets can contain:

•       Emergency contact information
•       Medical information

These bracelets might sound simple, but they are very important.

Why Are Autism Bracelets Important?

By wearing an autism bracelet, your child will alert others that he or she is on the spectrum. This is especially beneficial when your child is out in public without you or the other parent. When others realize your child has autism, they can interact accordingly. This makes it much easier for your child to get the support needed in public.

Autism bracelets also contain vital medical information. If your child has a medical emergency, healthcare providers can use the bracelet to learn about allergies and more. Thus, your child will get the necessary care, even if he or she cannot communicate. This can mean the difference between life and death in some situations.

In addition, the bracelet makes it easy for others to contact you. If your child does have an emergency, a witness or first responder can call you so you can tend to the situation.

Due to these important benefits, you’re likely considering buying an autism bracelet for your child. First, we’ll go over some tips for making a purchase. Then, it will be much easier to get a bracelet that will protect your son or daughter.

Tips for Autism Bracelets

If you’re new to the world of autism bracelets, you probably don’t know where to begin. First, let’s look at some basic tips to consider when shopping for these bracelets, starting with purchasing one your child wants to wear.

Buy One Your Child Wants to Wear

An autism bracelet can only help if your child wears it. Thus, it’s important to choose one that your son or daughter wants to wear.

This often comes down to colors. Children are more likely to wear a bracelet in a color they like. You can also have your child help you pick out the bracelet to ensure he or she likes it. Then, your son or daughter will get excited about putting it on each day. It will be a fun accessory instead of a medical alert bracelet.

Get It Personalized

Also, get the autism bracelet personalized. Include important information, such as your child’s name and an emergency contact number. Also, you can list medical conditions, such as allergies.

Finally, you can add a fun tidbit when personalizing the autism bracelet. For example, if your child loves a certain character, add it to the bracelet. That can come in handy when others are trying to connect with your son or daughter. This can also help calm your child down in public situations.

Buy a Few in Case They Get Lost

No matter how careful you are, you could lose the autism bracelet. Because of that, it’s important to purchase several so you’ll have backups.

If your child only likes one color, you can buy several in the same color. However, if your son or daughter likes to mix things up, choose different colors to provide a selection.

Next, let’s look at the best brands of autism bracelets. Then, you can take the next step and order a bracelet for your child.

Best Brands of Autism Bracelets

The market is full of autism bracelets, so the question is, which brand is the best? There are actually three solid choices you can choose from when shopping for these brands. Let’s look at each one, starting with Alert Me Bands.

Alert Me Bands

Alert Me Bands is probably the most popular manufacturer of autism bracelets. There are tons of designs to choose from, allowing wearers to show off their personal styles. This includes bracelets with autism puzzle pieces or ribbons, which can serve as an obvious indicator of the wearer’s autism.

Once you choose the bracelet you want, you can select the color and add up to four lines of text. While the text is often used for emergency contact information, you can also add medical information, as we mentioned earlier.

Also, these bands are adjustable, so people of all wrist sizes can wear them. Plus, you don’t have to worry about your son or daughter taking it off. While you can easily take the band on and off, you also have the option to childproof it. Then, your child won’t be able to remove it without your help.

Medical ID Fashions

Artist and cancer survivor Abbe Sennett designs and creates autism bracelets and then sells them under the name Medical ID Fashions. She designs “unremovable” autism bracelets, meaning that two hands are needed to take the bracelets off. Thus, your child cannot remove the bracelet without assistance.

The bracelets are fashionable, so kids enjoy wearing them. At the same time, they contain all the relevant information on the ID tag. The ID tag has four customizable lines, so you can include emergency contact information, medical information, and more. You can even use one of the lines to add a fun fact, such as that your child loves Spiderman. 

The ID tag hangs off the bracelet and is clearly visible. Just like the bracelet itself, the ID tags are available in various options. All are oval-shaped, but you can choose from different colors so your son or daughter can find something that fits their personal style. Some children choose to wear the same style of bracelet every day but like to switch up the ID tags from time to time.

MedicAlert ID

You likely think that MedicAlert bracelets are just for elderly people. While the elderly population certainly benefits from these bracelets, they are available for people with autism as well.

As with the bracelets from the other brands, you can use this bracelet to communicate your child’s condition and medical needs. Also, you can add emergency contact information.

When you enroll your child or other loved one into the MedicAlert program, you’ll also benefit from the 24/7 Wandering Support Program. This means if your loved one wanders away and cannot be found, the MedicAlert Foundation will work with law enforcement and others to locate the individual. This can provide peace of mind if your child tends to get lost.

There are numerous options for bracelets, and you can even get dog tags if you wish. With so many choices, it’s easy for kids to find something they’re excited about wearing.

Choose an Autism Bracelet Today

Now is the ideal time to purchase an autism bracelet. Remember, select one that your child will like, get it personalized, and buy a few in case you lose any of them. Also, consider purchasing the bracelets from a top brand so you will get the customization options and features necessary to protect your child.

Our goal at Hidden Talents ABA is to guide you through the therapy process with your child and navigate any possible obstacles that occur. Learn more about our services at hiddentalentsaba.com. 

Flowers are like friends; they bring color to your world.

From our friends at Caregiverlist, Inc.

Our goal is to guide you through the therapy process with your child and navigate any possible obstacles that occur. We do all we can to make caring for your child as smooth and easy as possible. Learn more about our services at hiddentalentsaba.com 

By three methods we may learn wisdom:
First, by reflection, which is noblest;
Second, by imitation, which is easiest;
and third by experience which is the bitterest.

~Confucius

From our friends at caregiverlist.com

A behavior support plan (BSP) identifies positive skills and strategies that can help reduce problem behaviors, based on the findings of a functional behavior assessment. In this article, you’ll learn more about how behavior support plans are used to manage challenging behaviors and replace them with appropriate ones.

What Is a Behavior Support Plan?

A behavior support plan (BSP) is a formal written guide intended for teachers, parents, and other individuals working with a child who displays a problem behavior. The plan outlines the strategies that can be used to teach the child new, positive ways to meet their needs in the classroom and at home. 

A BSP has two goals: to reduce or stop unwanted behaviors and to increase appropriate behaviors. In order for a BSP to be effective, the alternative behavior must serve the same function as the problem one, but it must be easier to do, more efficient, and socially acceptable. 

A behavior support plan relies on the information gathered through functional behavior assessment (FBA) to propose new skills, changes in the child’s environment, and reinforcements that need to be implemented in order to reduce the misbehavior. It can include measures such as creating an alternative schedule, allowing early entry to class or activity, or sitting near the teacher, for example. 

Parts of a behavior support plan

Behavior support plans typically consist of the following parts:

• Definition of the challenging behavior
• Interventions needed to replace and reduce the unwanted behavior
• Plan for teaching and reinforcing new skills
• Evaluation plan

Definition of the challenging behavior

The definition of the challenging behavior summarizes the findings of the functional behavior assessment. The behavior is described using clear language and the plan lists its antecedents and consequences, in other words, what typically occurs before and after the disruptive behavior.

This part of the plan also includes a hypothesis on why the child engages in the problem behavior and what is its function. Understanding the reasons behind the unwanted behavior will allow for developing adequate strategies to minimize or replace those behaviors.

Interventions needed to reduce and replace unwanted behaviors

An intervention plan indicates the skills or behaviors that should be taught to the child or the changes that can be done in the child’s environment, activities, or personal support to replace the negative behavior. The intervention plan is based on the information gathered during the functional behavior assessment stage.

Plan for teaching and reinforcing new skills

This section of a behavior support plan documents the ways an intervention and individualized support will be implemented within a child’s daily routines in school and at home. The plan needs to be appropriately tailored to the child’s individual needs and abilities. In addition, it must set reasonable and realistic measurements for success.

Evaluation plan

An evaluation plan includes: 

• A short-term goal based on the child’s current performance
• A long-term goal that focuses on increasing desired behavior
• Specific procedures that will be used to evaluate progress
• Data that will be collected to verify whether the plan was implemented correctly and whether it is having an impact on the child’s behavior
• A specific date for progress review. 

Both short-term and long-term goals need to be written in specific, measurable terms and indicate how the team will know when the child reaches the goal. 

Prevention strategies

Prevention strategies are designed to reduce the likelihood of problem behavior occurring in the future. After implementing these strategies, the child will no longer feel the need to engage in the problem behavior to have his or her needs met. 

Replacement skills

Replacement skills are appropriate behaviors that serve the same function as the challenging behavior and can replace them. For example, a child that reacts negatively to loud noises can learn a more appropriate way to respond, such as going to a safe place or using noise-canceling headphones.

The purpose of replacement skills is to make the behavior of concern ineffective, so that the new behavior becomes a more efficient way to meet the child’s needs. A behavior support plan should explain in detail how the team is going to teach this replacement behavior.

Consequence strategies

Consequence strategies are guidelines on how adults working with the child are expected to respond to problem behaviors. These strategies include positive reinforcement and minimizing reinforcement for problematic behavior.

Positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a reward for the child’s use of new skills or appropriate behavior. Positive behavior should be reinforced immediately and consistently. What’s more, it needs to serve the same function as the negative behavior. 

Minimizing reinforcement for problematic behavior

In addition to positive reinforcement, the response to problem behavior includes: 

• Redirecting the child to the alternative behavior, for example, immediately reminding the child what would be considered a positive behavior in the given situation.
• Extinction of the problem behavior, that is, not allowing the behavior to “pay off” for the child. In this case, the teacher should minimize the attention and limit any verbal interactions when the child engages in challenging behavior. Extinction of the interfering behavior should always be combined with positive reinforcement of appropriate behaviors.

Long term strategies

This section of the behavior support plan indicates the long-term goals that will assist the child and family in meeting behavior targets. It also describes the ways to reach those goals.

A behavior support plan consists of multiple steps. Read on to find out what they are. 

Steps of a Behavior Support Plan

The behavior support process involves the following steps:

• Define the interfering behavior that needs to be reduced or replaced
• Outline the antecedent, consequence, and function for the problem behavior 
• Explain possible causes of the behavior and provide reasoning to justify it
• Develop a plan that suggests actions that will prevent the unwanted behavior
• Identify the skills that need to be taught to replace the behavior 
• Identify short-term and long-term goals for a new behavior or behavior modifications 
• Create an intervention procedure to achieve these goals
• Implement the plan consistently across different settings and environments (school, home)
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of the plan and development of new, positive skills.

Below, we explain the importance of functional behavior assessment in creating an effective behavior support plan. 

Functional Behavior Assessment

The first step in creating a behavior support plan is a functional behavior assessment. 

A functional behavior assessment (FBA) is a process of identifying the behavior that interferes with a child’s ability to learn. It is typically used when habitual school interventions are not effective in controlling the behavior. The FBA is based on the belief that problematic behavior serves a specific purpose. An FBA attempts to look beyond labeling an unwanted behavior as simply being bad and determine what functions that behavior may be serving. 

The main reason for conducting a functional behavior assessment is to understand the relationship between the inappropriate behavior and the environment in order to determine what is causing the challenge. Understanding why a child behaves in a certain way is the starting point for developing suitable strategies for improvement.

An FBA results in a theory about the functions that the behavior serves and a targeted intervention plan—a behavior support plan—for an alternative behavior that will not interfere with the child’s education. The plan focuses on positive outcomes that can help build a better relationship between the child, the teacher, and the family.

A functional behavior assessment can be conducted by a licensed behavioral specialist, a school psychologist, or a teacher. The school counselor and other staff who work with the child may also be involved in the process. Finally, as a parent, you will have a crucial role in advocating for a fair FBA for your child and creating a behavior support plan.

Keep reading to learn more about building a behavior support team. 

Building a Behavior Support Team

A behavior plan is not written by only one person or an expert. To be effective, the plan needs to be developed by a team of individuals who work together to find strategies that will help replace negative behavior with a positive one. This cooperation will allow the team members to focus on the task, establish accountability for completing the plan, and ensure communication and consistent implementation of the interventions. 

The behavior support team can include anyone who is involved in the child’s life. In addition to the child’s parents and educators, it may also involve family members, friends, therapists, and other instructional or administrative personnel. Team members will collaborate in different ways to develop and implement a suitable behavior support plan.

A collaborative approach is one of the key features of positive behavior support for children with problem behaviors and their families. It is particularly important for children whose challenging behaviors occur in multiple settings, for example, at home, at school, during therapy visits, and so on.

Parents’ role in developing and implementing a BSP

As a parent, you should be involved in each step of developing a behavior support plan for your child. In order for the plan to be effective, it is necessary to monitor the child’s behavior not only at school but also at home. At the same time, the school should keep you updated on your child’s progress and provide you with the necessary tools to reinforce the BSP at home.

Person-Centered Planning

An essential part of ensuring an effective behavior support process is to set up a person-centered plan. As mentioned above, the plan is written by a team consisting of family, teachers, caregivers, and other community members who are brought together to discuss their goals for the child. It is crucial that the team’s planning process is focused on the child’s behavior goals.

Besides, the child should be involved in the planning process as much as possible. He or she may be able to offer their own views on the problem and suggest what can be done to solve it. This process not only helps the child to feel included, but it is also a good way to make sure the strategies developed are specific to their needs.

Another crucial success factor of a behavior support plan is appropriate monitoring. Here’s why. 

Monitoring Behavior Support Plans

A behavior support plan is an active document that needs to be consulted and reviewed on a regular basis in order to be effective. Monitoring a BSP is a twofold process that includes: 

• Monitoring changes in problem behavior, and
• Monitoring the achievement of new skills and lifestyle outcomes.

The key to successful monitoring is frequent collection of data that describes when, where, and who implements the plan but also to how the plan is being implemented and whether or not the same intervention steps are followed each time. Direct and indirect measurements, such as rating scales and check sheets, should be done in order to:

• Document whether the plan is implemented with consistency
• Whether the plan is effective in achieving the identified goals
• Whether the replacement skills are maintained over time, and
• Whether the new skills can be applied in a variety of contexts or settings. 

The behavior support team should periodically review the collected data to ensure good communication, make any adjustments if needed, as well as to review progress in the context of the long-term vision for the child’s development.

Data collection for the purpose of monitoring progress is simpler and less extensive than it was in the functional behavior assessment phase. Once the BSP is in place, the data only needs to indicate whether the behavior is staying the same or changing. The team has to track the frequency, duration, and intensity of the behavior. In addition to collecting the data regularly, it is necessary to analyze the information and verify whether there is any improvement in the child’s behavior.

In the next section, we provide useful tips for writing and implementing behavior support plans.

Tips for Behavior Support Plans

Replacing a challenging behavior

• When your child displays unwanted behavior, you should always first rule out health issues such as acute illness, pain, or discomfort before proceeding with functional behavior assessment and creating a behavior support plan.
• Keep in mind that all challenging behaviors serve a specific purpose, function, or fulfill unmet needs.
• The meaning and purpose of behavior may sometimes be difficult to determine. In some cases, it will take lots of time and patience before the team can gain a good understanding of the behavior.
• The purpose of a behavior support plan is not to show how the child should change his or her behavior, but to outline the steps that will be taken by the members of the team to modify the environment and teach the child new skills. 
• It is important to address the interfering behavior immediately as it happens so that the child can successfully change the habit.

When a BSP isn’t working

• Make sure the chosen interventions provide an alternative way to accomplish the function of the problematic behavior. 
• If the proposed plan is not working and the behavior doesn’t improve, there may have been a misunderstanding of the reason or function behind the targeted behavior. In this case, the implemented strategies won’t be effective. 
• Some behaviors have been present for a long time and changing them may take a lot of reinforcement and encouragement.
• If a behavior support plan is not working, the team should document the interventions that are ineffective and look for other alternatives.

Writing an effective BSP

• Behavior support plans should be kept as simple as possible. Simple plans are easier to implement, evaluate, and are often the most effective.
• The interventions in the plan should include enough detail so that the team members are able to understand and implement the proposed strategies.
• It is better to implement just a few carefully selected interventions with confidence than to list many strategies that will not be used consistently.
• It is better to start slow and gradually build on success than to set unreasonable expectations.
• Behavior support plans must be person-centered and specific to each child. In other words, each behavior support plan must be unique. What works for one child won’t necessarily work for another.

Reviewing the plan

• A behavior support plan should be reviewed and updated regularly, approximately every six weeks. As your child grows, his or her behavior will change and it will be necessary to make adjustments to the plan to target new problem behaviors.
• Decide the review date for a BSP at the time of writing the plan. It can be reviewed sooner if needed, but deadlines will increase the chances of the plan being effective.
• If there’s new information or if the child needs a change, the plan should be adjusted as needed.
• If the child changes environments, new information should be gathered to determine if and how the behavior was affected, and whether the team should consider new strategies.
• Failure to update the BSP on a regular basis, especially when it comes to rewards and reinforcements for appropriate behavior, could cause the child to relapse into unwanted behavior.

Social skills are the ability to behave in an acceptable way in social situations, for example, knowing how to interpret body language, emotional cues, and facial expressions. However, even basic social interactions are often challenging for children with autism. Social skills worksheets are a useful tool that can help autistic children become more aware of themselves and the people around them. Keep on reading to find out more about the different types of social skills worksheets and how they may be helpful for your child with autism. 

Why Are Worksheets Helpful for People with Autism?

Social skills are the skills used to communicate and interact with others. They can be either verbal (language) or nonverbal (facial expressions, body language).

Social skills and autism

One of the main signs of autism is a lack or delay in social skills. For example, an autistic child might take another child’s toy without asking for permission, refuse to wait for a turn, or avoid making eye contact. Failure to display expected behavior around other children makes it hard to interact and make friends.

However, children with autism need to learn the same social skills as their neurotypical peers. These skills are essential for getting along with others, developing confidence, and becoming more independent. Teaching social skills should, therefore, be an essential part of your child’s daily activities both at home and at school. 

There is a wide range of social skills to work on with autistic children, such as: 

• Making eye contact
• Taking turns
• Helping others
• Respecting personal space
• Sharing toys and materials
• Asking for help
• Using appropriate voice tone and volume
• Following directions
• Asking permission
• Resolving conflicts
• Disagreeing politely and respectfully
• Respecting the opinions of others
• Recognizing the difference between expected and unwanted behaviors
• Cooperating with others and working together
• Recognizing body language 
• Understanding nonverbal cues
• Recognizing feelings in oneself and others.

What are social skills worksheets?

Social skills worksheets are resources designed to teach children with autism and other disabilities how to relate to other people. Since many children on the autism spectrum are visual learners, social skills worksheets are an effective way to learn skills like: 

• Appropriate social behaviors
• Maintaining healthy relationships
• Understanding social nuances
• Adjusting to any given situation
• Learning emotional literacy
• Understanding their own and others’ feelings
• Using manners
• Listening to others
• Using polite words
• Understanding how their actions may impact other people. 

Social skills worksheets can be used by everyone from preschoolers to primary school children and teenagers.

Below, we take a look at the wide range of social skills worksheets available for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. 

Social Skills Worksheets for People with Autism

Different types of worksheets can help your child build a strong foundation for acquiring social skills, for example: 

• Worksheets for emotional health
• Worksheets for identifying objects
• Worksheets for controlling anger
• Worksheets for communication.

Worksheets for emotional health

Learning to recognize and manage feelings is an important part of social development in children. Nevertheless, children with autism often find mastering this skill very challenging. Worksheets for emotional health will help your child become more aware of their own and others’ emotions and allow them to communicate more effectively.

Emotional Cues Worksheet—Worksheetplace.com

This emotional health worksheet is specifically designed to help children with autism understand body language. Your child needs to determine what emotion various facial expressions represent and what gestures and tone of voice should accompany them. 

Body and Voice Language Worksheet—Worksheetplace.com

This worksheet allows autistic children to learn how to communicate their emotions through facial expressions and gestures, without using their voice.

Empathy Skills Builder: Predicting Emotion—Talking Tree Books

This empathy skill building package consists of three different worksheets. Your child is asked to choose among several options, such as “worried”, “angry”, confused”, and “left out”, to describe how the character in the picture is feeling. The worksheets are suitable for grades 1-4.

Worksheets for identifying objects

Worksheets for identifying objects are used to teach children to recognize common objects and increase their visual memory, in addition to helping them practice reasoning and pre-reading skills.

Where Does It Belong?—Education.com

To complete this worksheet, your child will need to use reasoning skills in order to determine where an object belongs. As the child matches each object with the right location, he or she is also learning to recognize the words written under the pictures.

Identifying Common Objects Cards—Teachers Pay Teachers

These cards prompt your child to identify common objects by choosing the correct alternative among several options. The objects were chosen for their short names that are easy to say, such as “dog”, “ball”, or “car”, so that your child can also work on their pronunciation. The set of cards with 30 objects can be purchased for $2.50.

Circle & Identify Object Worksheet—Auti SPARK

This series of sorting worksheets is designed to help your child improve observation skills by identifying and circling the picture of one or more objects. Registered users can download the worksheets for free.

Worksheets for controlling anger

Anger management worksheets are useful tools that can assist kids and teens in developing coping skills and teach them appropriate ways to deal with anger. With the help of worksheets for controlling anger, your child will learn how to:

• Analyze anger issues
• Identify anger triggers
• Improve problem-solving skills
• Plan coping strategies.

There are several different types of anger worksheets to choose from:

• Anger triggers worksheets. These sheets help identify anger triggers and provide ideas on how to deal with them. 
• Anger signs worksheets. They help recognize facial expressions that show anger.
• Expressing anger worksheets. These worksheets allow children to identify, label, and express different feelings.
• Problem-solving worksheets. This resource is used when anger arises from the inability to solve a problem.

Anger Management Skills Cards—Therapist Aid

This set of 12 cards will help your child learn how to control their anger. Each card has a picture of a healthy anger management technique. Worksheets are free to download and members can also print customizable sheets. 

Autism Anger Management Problem Solving Wheels—Worksheetsday.com

These worksheets are designed in the form of a wheel with anger management alternatives. The sheets will help your child choose appropriate behaviors when they are angry, for example, “walk away and let it go”, “talk it through”, “apologize”, and more. 

Anger Signs Worksheets—Very Special Tales

This set of worksheets will teach your child to recognize and describe common anger signs like contracting and tightening lips, getting red in the face, and speaking loudly.

Worksheets for communication

Children on the autism spectrum disorder typically face communication difficulties that can lead to social challenges. For example, they may become frustrated when they are unable to request what they need. These worksheets can help improve your child’s communication and social skills.

Social Communication for Autism—Teachers Pay Teachers

This set of 29 communication worksheets for autistic children covers everything from improving conversation skills to learning how to show empathy and make friends. The complete set can be downloaded for $75. 

Clothes and Dressing Communication Cards—Teachers Pay Teachers

This 160-page packet is an essential visual communication tool for children with autism from kindergarten to 12th grade. It includes examples of clothing-related requests and actions through more than 300 visual icon cards and 14 clothing categories. The packet can be downloaded for $4. 

Communication Worksheets for Children With Autism—Autism Love to Know

This resource offers a wide range of free downloadable worksheets that will help your child communicate more effectively. Your child is asked to guess what the person in the picture wants to communicate and then suggest how to use these phrases in daily life. The website also provides many other types of worksheets as well as tips for learning social skills for children who are auditory rather than visual learners. 

In addition to worksheets, expert intervention and therapy sessions can help your child with autism improve their social skills. Read on to find out more. 

How Can Hidden Talents ABA Help?

Hidden Talents ABA provides treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder from birth to age 12. We focus on enhancing your child’s ability to understand how their behavior affects those around them and improving their social skills.

Currently the most effective form of autism treatment, applied behavior analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based approach that focuses on changing unwanted behaviors in autistic children while reinforcing desirable ones. 

ABA therapy can help your child to build and strengthen social skills, for example:

• Improve communication skills 
• Increase attention, focus, and memory
• Follow directions and instructions

• Understand facial expressions and body language
• Initiate conversations
• Respond to questions
• Reduce problematic behaviors such as aggressivness and meltdowns.

ABA therapy uses positive reinforcement in the form of rewards and incentives. When a desirable behavior is rewarded by a special treat or activity, the child is more likely to repeat the action. Over time, this method will encourage positive behavioral changes in children with autism spectrum disorder.

For more information on Hidden Talents ABA services, call us at 404-487-6005 or send us an email at info@hiddentalentsaba.com. 

Functional behavior assessment (FBA) is used to determine the cause of a child’s challenging behavior at school and develop a plan for improvement. 

In this article, we take a closer look at the functional behavior assessment process and methods used to identify and reduce problematic behaviors.

What Is a Functional Behavior Assessment? 

A functional behavior assessment (FBA) is a process of identifying the behavior that interferes with a child’s educational progress and impacts their ability to learn. For example, a child may refuse to work on difficult tasks, respond angrily, or act in an inappropriate way to gain attention. An FBA is used when typical school interventions are not effective in controlling the behavior. 

This type of assessment is based on the belief that problematic behavior serves a specific purpose. An FBA attempts to look beyond labeling an unwanted behavior as simply being “bad” and determine what functions that behavior may be serving. Understanding why a child behaves a certain way is the starting point for developing strategies for improvement. 

A functional behavior assessment is typically used in a classroom setting, but it can also be applied at home if this is where your child is receiving mental health services. An FBA usually takes about 30 days to complete and requires parental consent.

What is the purpose of an FBA?

The purpose of the functional behavior assessment is to: 

• Designate the problematic behavior
• Identify the factors that support the behavior
• Determine the purpose of the behavior. 

An FBA results in making a hypothesis about the functions that the behavior serves and creating a targeted intervention plan for an alternative behavior that will not interfere with the child’s education. The plan focuses on positive outcomes that can help build a better relationship between the child, the teacher, and the family.

Who conducts an FBA?

A functional behavior assessment is typically conducted by a licensed behavioral specialist or school psychologist, although it can also be done by a teacher. The school counselor and other staff who work with the child may also be involved in the process. Finally, as a parent, you will have an essential role in advocating for a fair and thorough FBA for your child.

Why Would an FBA Need to Be Done?

The main reason for conducting a functional behavior assessment is to understand the relationship between the inappropriate behavior and the environment in order to determine what is causing the challenge.

A functional behavior assessment can: 

• Identify interventions to reduce the undesirable behavior
• Propose alternative behaviors to replace the inappropriate ones
• Determine the appropriate placements and services.

The assessment can be part of the Individual Learning Plan (ILP), the Student Assistance Team (SAT) process, and serve as confirmation of a disability.

Most children who are in special education receive behavior programming in school—typically referred to as a positive behavior support plan or behavior intervention plan—to reduce and replace unwanted behaviors. These plans are always based on functional behavior assessments.

However, not all children with a behavior challenge will be able to get an FBA. Read on to find out who is eligible.

Who Has the Right to an FBA? 

A functional behavior assessment can be used both for students in special education and regular education students. 

An FBA is conducted in the following situations: 

• As an essential part of a school evaluation for special education. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires schools to use functional behavior assessments when dealing with challenging behavior in children with special needs. When an FBA is conducted for a child classified as a special education student, it is a function of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) committee.
• When there are behavior concerns in children who have an IEP or a 504 plan. Schools are required by law to do a functional behavior assessment whenever not doing so would deny children a free public education.
• In school discipline situations. Federal law requires an FBA in some cases when a student is disciplined or removed from school.
• Evaluate risk for students with serious behavior issues. There are no laws requiring a school to complete a functional behavior assessment of regular education students.

Keep reading for more details about the steps involved in a functional behavior assessment.

Steps of an FBA

A functional behavior assessment consists of four different steps:

• Define the challenging behavior
• Gather and analyze information
• Find out the reason for the behavior
• Make a plan to encourage positive behavior.

Define the challenging behavior

A functional behavior assessment starts by defining the challenging behavior. The behavior must be described in a specific and objective way. For example, it should specify that the child kicks, hits, and throws objects instead of simply stating that the child is aggressive. Furthermore, only fact-based observations such as “the child places his head on his desk” can be used and not assumptions of the child’s feelings like “the child is not interested in the lesson.” 

Gather and analyze information

The second step of an FBA is information gathering. During this stage, the professional tries to answer questions such as:

• When does the behavior occur?
• Where does the behavior occur? 
• In what circumstances does the behavior not occur?
• How often does the behavior occur?
• Who is around when it occurs (peers, adults)?
• What triggers the behavior?
• What happens after the behavior occurs?
• What more acceptable behavior can be used as an alternative?

Other useful information includes:

• The instructions that were provided at the time behavior occurred
• Academic and behavioral expectations for the child
• Recent changes in the child’s circumstances in school or at home
• Any medical and other related issues.

It is also necessary to provide a full history of the interventions that have been implemented previously and indicate whether they were successful or not.

Tools used to gather information

The professional who conducts the FBA may use a number of different methods to gather the necessary information, for example: 

• Observation
• Interviews
• Questionnaires 
• Reviewing the student’s records

An ABC chart is another tool that is frequently used in this step of the assessment. It helps collect data about the antecedent (what happens before the behavior), the behavior itself, and the consequence (what happens after the behavior). Both the teacher and the child can complete this chart. 

Other information gathering tools include frequency and duration charts which track how often the behavior occurs, how long it lasts, and where its intensity can be placed on a scale of 1-10.

Find out the reason for the behavior

Using the information collected, the team of professionals will outline the hypothesis on what may be causing the behavior, what function it serves, and what the child is trying to communicate through that particular behavior. They will create a detailed report which includes:

• A description of the procedures used
• Information and data gathered
• Comprehensive recommendations.

Make a plan to encourage positive behavior 

Once the team has a sufficient understanding of the reason behind the child’s behavior, it will propose a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) to reduce and replace it with more appropriate behavior. An FBA is also commonly used to create applied behavior analysis (ABA) autism treatment plans.

A behavior intervention plan typically includes the following components: 

• Changes needed to reduce or eliminate problematic behaviors, for example, modifications in the physical environment, the way the information is presented, or the consequences of the behavior
• Strategies for replacing the challenging behaviors with appropriate ones that serve the same function for the child (replacement behaviors)
• Skills training needed in order to introduce the appropriate behaviors
• Supporting the child when it comes to using appropriate behaviors.

The plan must specify the necessary behavior modifications and new skills. Furthermore, the proposed strategy needs to have a clear focus and name a person who will be in charge of carrying out the recommended steps. As the team obtains new information, it will often adjust the plan along the way. 

The functional behavior assessment should be documented in your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). In addition, the agreed-upon recommendations should be incorporated into the child’s goal work.

Below, read more about the types of functional behavior assessment processes. 

Direct vs Indirect FBA

There are two distinct types of FBA processes: direct and indirect functional behavior assessments. 

Direct FBA

The direct FBA is a comprehensive assessment process used to identify and replace severe, persisting, and frequent behaviors. This process is also appropriate when critical decisions are being made to verify a disability, make placement decisions, or choose intensive or intrusive intervention methods.

As part of the assessment, a professional directly and unobtrusively observes the child’s challenging behavior in their natural environment on several different occasions. The professional must record the circumstances surrounding the behavior, such as frequency and duration, the time of day, location, activities, and people present.

Certain interfering behaviors require a more thorough evaluation. In some cases, a functional analysis (FA) is done to test the possible functions of unwanted behaviors. This method clearly identifies functional relationships by verifying them in an experimental setting. 

A direct observational assessment is an objective means of gathering information that may help support indirect assessment findings. 

Indirect FBA

The Indirect FBA is used for behaviors that are less severe and occur infrequently, or as part of early intervention using the SAT process. Because it is less time consuming, the indirect assessment is done in urgent situations that need immediate action and where there is no time for a more detailed assessment process. 

During an indirect functional assessment, information about the challenging behavior is gathered from persons who are closest to the child, such as parents, teachers, and service providers. 

The indirect approach is more informal, uses simple language, and is less technical than the direct one. It relies on using tools such as rating scales, questionnaires, interviews, and discussions to help identify the target behavior, the circumstances that support the behavior, and the function of the behavior. 

Based on the collected information and other data, such as disciplinary referrals and attendance records, the team will develop a hypothesis and formulate a detailed intervention plan. The team will also determine whether there is a need for a more comprehensive direct FBA.

A functional behavior assessment can be used to detect or confirm a disability. Here’s why this is important. 

FBAs Can Be Helpful in Detecting And/Or Verifying a Disability

Functional behavior assessments can provide useful information to help determine and/or verify a disability and evaluate how that disability may affect behavior. The determination of a disability is a critical step for accessing appropriate financial support and education. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act forbids discrimination against individuals with disabilities and under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), federal funds are provided to guarantee access to special education and related services to children with disabilities. 

Every fresh peak ascended teaches something
~ Sir Martin Conway

From our friends at caregiverlist.com

Autism is like a rainbow. It has a bright side and a dark side. But every shade is important and beautiful.”

~ Rosie Tennant Doran

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition with a wide range of signs, symptoms, and abilities. 

Every person on the spectrum is different and manifests a unique pattern of behavior. 

Read on to find out more about the signs and symptoms of autism, how this disorder affects everyday life, and the ways applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy can help your autistic child. 

Causes of Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental condition that impacts how a person perceives the world and communicates with others. An estimated 1 in 54 children in the United States are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The condition is three to four times more common in boys than in girls. 

Until recently, scientists believed that autism was caused mostly by genetic factors. However, newer research indicates that the environment may also play an important role in the development of autism spectrum disorder. In other words, if someone is genetically predisposed to autism, environmental elements will increase their risk of having the condition.

Environmental factors that may contribute to autism include:

• Taking antidepressants in the first three months of pregnancy
• The use of medications such as valproic acid (Depakene) or thalidomide (Thalomid)
• Viral infections during pregnancy
• Nutritional deficiencies in early pregnancy, particularly not getting enough folic acid
• Exposure to chemical pollutants, such as heavy metals and pesticides, while pregnant
• Advanced age of either parent
• Complications at birth or shortly after birth, including very low birth weight, oxygen deprivation, and neonatal anemia
• Extreme prematurity.

A controversial 1998 research proposed a link between autism and the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. However, multiple studies have since shown that the disorder is not caused by vaccines. 

Symptoms of Autism

Autism is usually diagnosed in early childhood. Most parents start noticing autism symptoms in their children around the age of two. At the same time, some children may develop normally to then suddenly become withdrawn and lose previously acquired language and other skills. 

Autism symptoms in babies 

Autism can be diagnosed in babies as young as two months old. While this condition doesn’t affect physical appearance, it influences the way they communicate and relate to the world around them.

Lack of eye contact

By the time they are two months old, babies typically make eye contact with others. Infants who are affected by autism spectrum disorder make less or no eye contact at this stage.

Limited facial expressions

At four months old, babies should be able to copy facial expressions, such as smiling or frowning, as well as to smile spontaneously. However, autistic babies usually don’t respond to their caregiver’s facial expressions.

Not responding to their name

At six months, most babies show an awareness of their own names. Babies who later develop autism typically don’t respond to their names at this age. 

Little pointing or gesturing

From around nine months, your baby should be able to point things and copy the gestures of the people around them. Autistic babies gesture much less and show a lack of nonverbal communication in general.

Decreased joint attention

Joint attention—where a baby’s gaze follows an object you’re showing them—is an essential way of interacting with others. Babies with autism spectrum disorder are often unable to pick up on these nonverbal communication cues and will ignore you and the object you are pointing to.

Autism symptoms in children

As your child gets older, autism symptoms become more diverse. They typically include verbal and non-verbal communication difficulties, impaired social skills, and highly inflexible behaviors.

Delayed language or speech

Most children with autism have at least some level of difficulty when it comes to speech and language. They often start talking late and understand fewer words than their neurotypical peers. An estimated 40 percent of autistic children have no language at all. 

The signs of speech and language difficulties in autistic children include: 

• Speaking in an unusual tone of voice or with an odd rhythm or pitch
• Repeating the same words or phrases over and over again
• Repeating questions instead of answering them
• Making grammatical errors
• Using wrong words
• Not understanding simple directions
• Taking what is said literally.

Nonverbal communication difficulties

Children with autism spectrum disorder usually have trouble picking up on subtle nonverbal cues and understanding body language, which makes social interactions difficult. 

Symptoms of nonverbal communication difficulties include: 

• Avoiding eye contact
• Limited use of facial expressions and gestures
• Not understanding other people’s facial expressions, tone of voice, and gestures
• Atypical reactions to bright lights, smells, textures, and sounds
• Unusual posture or movements, such as exclusively walking on tiptoes.

Social difficulties

Basic social interactions may be challenging for children with autism spectrum disorder. They will typically display signs of social difficulties such as:

• Lack of interest in other people
• Difficulties connecting with others and making friends
• Trouble understanding feelings and talking about them
• Not playing pretend games, engaging in group games, imitating others, or using toys in creative ways.

Inflexibility

Children with autism often have inflexible behaviors and interests, for example: 

• Following strict routines 
• Difficulty adapting to changes and transitions from one activity to another
• Unusual attachments to toys or objects
• Lining toys up or arranging them in a certain order
• Having restricted areas of interest
• Focusing on one specific part of an object such as the wheels of a toy car
• Repeating the same actions or movements (flapping hands, rocking, twirling, or spinning objects). 

Autism symptoms in adults

While severe forms of autism are discernible before the child turns two, high-functioning individuals are often not diagnosed until later in their lives. 

The most common symptoms of autism in adults include:

• Difficulty understanding other people’s feelings and thoughts
• Struggle to interpret facial expressions and body language
• Avoiding eye contact
• Being unable to keep up with conversations
• Feeling anxiety in social situations
• Difficulty expressing feelings
• Limited interest in certain subjects or activities
• Preference for being by themselves.

Areas That Autism Can Affect

Autism affects many different areas of everyday life. Here are just a few of them:

Social interactions

Social dysfunction is one of the main characteristics of autism spectrum disorder. Individuals with autism can show little interest in the world around them and have a limited understanding of other people’s feelings. They often experience social interactions as unpredictable and frightening, for example, they may not understand the purpose of saying hello and goodbye, showing facial expressions, waiting for their turn to speak, or maintaining eye contact. As a consequence, they may find it difficult to form friendships, which can lead to social isolation.

Repetitive behaviors

Many children and adults with autism display repetitive behaviors such as hand flapping, rocking, and tapping. Repeating certain gestures and actions is often seen as a soothing activity that provides a sense of control in stressful situations.

Anxiety or excess worry

Anxiety disorders, including obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias, and social anxieties, are the most common comorbid conditions in people with autism. Intense levels of stress and anxiety are often related to changes in routines or environment and can affect a person both psychologically and physically.

Delayed cognitive skills

Autism commonly affects cognitive skills. As a consequence, children on the spectrum often struggle with focus, transitions, memory, time management, as well as emotional control. These challenges may impact their learning and development.

Unusual eating and sleeping habits

Atypical eating behaviors, like limited food preferences, hypersensitivity to food textures, and holding food in the mouth without swallowing, can be seen in most children with autism. 

In addition, sleep problems are much more common among autistic than neurotypical children. Autism is often accompanied by other conditions, such as gastrointestinal problems, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and anxiety, which can make falling and staying asleep even more difficult. 

How ABA Therapy Can Help Your Kid with Autism

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is a type of therapy that focuses on changing unwanted behaviors while reinforcing desirable ones. ABA therapy is currently the most effective form of autism treatment, with an improvement rate of over 90 percent.

ABA therapy can help your child to build and strengthen social and communication skills, for example:

• Improve language skills 
• Increase their attention, focus, and memory
• Teach them to follow directions and instructions

• Help them understand social cues like facial expressions and body language
• Teach them how to initiate conversations and respond to questions
• Reduce problematic behaviors such as aggressiveness and meltdowns
• Help them acquire basic academic and pre-academic skills.

Applied behavioral analysis therapy uses positive reinforcement in the form of rewards and other incentives. When a desirable behavior is rewarded by a special treat or activity, the child is more likely to repeat the action. Over time, this method can encourage positive behavioral changes in children diagnosed with autism.

ABA therapy breaks down essential skills into small, concrete steps. It then builds toward more significant changes in functioning and independence levels. ABA therapy sessions for autistic children typically include a combination of play, direct instructions, various activities, adaptive skills training, as well as parental guidance.

National Disability Independence Day commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26th, 1990. The ADA provides protection from employment discrimination as well as better access to goods, services, and communications for people with disabilities.

Every time you smile at someone it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.

~ Mother Teresa

From our friends at caregiverlist.com

All children love activities, and autistic kids are no exception. But besides being fun and engaging, a variety of sensory, physical, and mentally stimulating activities hold an added bonus for autistic children. They can be used as an effective way to improve their attention span, self-confidence, and communication skills. 

Here, we’ve listed some of the best activities your autistic child will enjoy and benefit from.

Sensory Games for Autistic Children

Sensory bottle

Sensory bottles, sometimes also called discovery bottles or calm down bottles, are a great way to keep your autistic child focused and engaged. At the same time, they are useful tools for providing sensory regulation as they can help your child calm down after experiencing sensory overload. 

To make a sensory bottle, simply wash an old plastic bottle and fill it partially with water. Then add some food coloring, marbles, glitter, and beads, or customize it in any other way that will appeal to your child. Seal the lid in place using a hot glue gun. Let your child shake the bottle and enjoy the sensation of colorful parts slowly moving through the bottle. 

For inspiration on how to make sensory bottles for children with autism, check out the Sensory and Discovery Bottles board on Pinterest, where you can also share your own projects.

* This project is recommended for children ages 5 and up as the bottle may contain choking hazards. 

Make edible jewelry

Due to their coordination challenges and limited core strength and stability, children with autism often experience delays in the development of fine motor skills. Making edible jewelry will help your child hone those skills that require intricate hand and finger movements, while enjoying a fun activity. 

To make edible jewelry, start by taking a piece of string or shoestring licorice that is long enough to fit over your child’s head when tied. Encourage your child to thread some edible items on the string, such as the Fruit Loops cereal, Lifesavers Gummies and other colorful candy, marshmallows, or edible play dough. Tie the ends of the string together to make a necklace or bracelet. You can take this activity further by asking your child to recognize the colors of the items used or count the number of cereal or candy pieces on the string. 

Make tactile collage

Many children with autism spectrum disorder find the sensation of different textures overwhelming. If this is the case with your child, then making a tactile collage may be a great way to introduce them to a wide range of textures and help them deal with sensory issues. This activity is also useful for practicing cutting and improving your child’s fine motor skills.

To create a tactile collage, prepare cardboard or cardstock (the size can range anywhere from 7×9 inches to 14×20 for older children). Pour some glue in a small jar and let your child apply it with a brush to prevent their hands from getting sticky. They can glue a variety of materials like magazine clippings, small pieces of fabric, aluminum foil, glitter, string, felt, and puff paint. You can also ask your child to sort materials by colors and encourage them to talk about what they are doing to enhance their communication skills. 

Brain Activities for Autistic Kids

Matching games

Matching games are simple but effective educational activities where your child has to match words with pictures. These are perfect games for kids with autism who typically appreciate simplicity and order. Based on your child’s skill level and interests, you can use matching games to teach them about numbers, foods, colors, animals, or any other subject. 

You can download the free Matching Games for Autism app, or purchase Word to Picture Matching Cards specially designed for children with autism. 

Smell games

Children with autism are often sensitive to smells and may experience them more intensely than neurotypical children. Smell games are a fun activity that will not only let your child explore a variety of smells, but also help them improve memory and build communication skills. 

To make a smell game, fill small containers (such as painted jam jars) with fragrant ingredients like lavender, coffee, soap, lemon, rosemary, mint, rose petals, popcorn, and cinnamon sticks. If you are using a liquid, like vanilla essence for example, place a cotton ball in the container to soak up the fragrance. Just make sure to avoid any smells your child dislikes or is sensitive to. Fasten a piece of thin fabric on top of the container with a rubber band and ask your child to identify the different smells. 

Building Social Skill for an Autistic Child

Reading

Reading may help autistic children develop language and improve their cognitive skills. Children with autism spectrum disorder typically experience difficulties when it comes to reading comprehension and are usually better at identifying words than understanding their meaning. That’s why books with pictures and little text are the best way to get your child with autism interested in reading. 

To keep your child engaged, make sure to target their area of interest, whether it’s trains, pets, history, or any other subject. You can also encourage your child to enact the characters while reading the book to make the activity more fun. Or ask them how they would feel if they were different characters to teach them empathy skills and encourage interaction.

Sharing time

Children with autism often have little or no interest in the world around them and in sharing their experiences with others. Fortunately, there are many fun activities that can make it easier for your child to share their attention. You can play games such as “I Spy” that require you to look at the same object or ask your child to show you what they are drawing or playing with to improve their communication skills. Take time to play together with your child to encourage them to share toys, role-play, take turns, talk about their experience, and regulate emotions. 

Calming Activities for a Child with Autism

Fidget toys

Fidgets toys are designed to help children with autism focus, filter out the overwhelming sensory information, and remain calm in stressful situations. These toys can also be used to help ease transitions into new situations or activities and deal with routine changes, which is often a challenge for autistic kids. 

There is no shortage of fidget toys to choose from like tangle toys, stress-less gel balls, koosh balls, magic snakes, and more. A wide range of fidget toys and stress balls are available for purchase from National Autism Resources, Sensory Direct, and Amazon. When looking for a fidget toy, choose the one that allows for movement but isn’t too distracting so that it completely draws your child’s attention away.

Coloring

Coloring pages are a great way to help your child with autism focus, build fine motor skills, learn new words, and practice taking turns and interacting with others. What’s more, coloring according to directions will help them learn to recognize colors and numbers, follow instructions, and work on task completion. If your child has fine motor skill challenges, consider using large or triangular-shaped crayons instead of regular ones. 

Websites like Special Learning House and All Kids Network offer a wide range of free printable coloring pages suitable for kids with autism. Some coloring books are specifically designed for autistic children, such as The Autism Coloring Book: I See Things Differently With My Superhero Brain, available on Amazon. 

Constructive Play For an Autistic Kid

Puzzles

Puzzles are an excellent way to provide your autistic child with a satisfying tactile sensation, help them improve focus and fine motor skills, in addition to having a calming effect when your child is feeling restless. Completing puzzles together with others and talking about what they’re doing can help enhance your child’s vocabulary and communication skills. 

Always make sure to choose a puzzle with a suitable difficulty level for your child. You can find a wide range of puzzles for autistic children at Autism-Products.com, National Autism Resources, as well as Autism Community Store. 

Building blocks

Playing with building blocks is one of the most popular activities among autistic children. Since the blocks come in limited shapes and sizes and the building process requires repetitive movements, kids with autism perceive this activity as structured and predictable. Building blocks can be highly beneficial for your child’s physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development, in addition to improving their fine motor skills. Furthermore, it encourages children to practice verbal and nonverbal communication skills, sharing with others, taking turns, and problem solving.

The STEM toy company Strictly Bricks offers a variety of building blocks in different sizes, colors, and textures, suitable for children with autism. Award-winning BizyBeez Magnetic Building Blocks is another great choice of building blocks for autistic kids.

Physical Play For an Autistic Child

Dancing

Dancing is a fun and relaxing activity for children with autism. Dancing is beneficial not only when it comes to boosting your child’s body image and body awareness, but also for improving their concentration and memory, enhancing communication skills, increasing empathy, and developing the ability to adapt to different situations. 

Let your child start with free movement and move to the music any way they wish. Later on, try introducing movement prompt exercises where you ask them to dance fast or slow, freeze when the music stops, move only one part of the body, make large or small movements, and so on. Dancing to children’s songs with actions, like “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” “Hokey Pokey,” or “Baby Shark” is a good way to practice following instructions and motor planning.

Exercise

Children with autism spectrum disorder often have limited gross motor function, strength, and coordination. Exercising on a regular basis will allow your child not only to improve these skills and their physical health, but also to enjoy a variety of activities with friends and family. Physical activity can also enhance a general feeling of well-being and counterbalance depression and anxiety, in addition to improving your child’s learning and social behavior. Regular physical activity has even been shown to decrease repetitive behaviors like body rocking, spinning, and head-nodding in children with autism. 

You can make exercises enjoyable by playing games that encourage your child to move in different ways, for example, run, jump, hop, and skip, and play with a variety of equipment such as balls, bats, and racquets. A simple way to add some physical activity into your child’s daily routine is to walk to school and make regular trips to the playground. You can gradually expand the amount of time your child spends doing physical activities until they reach the recommended one hour of exercise per day. 

Obstacle course

Children with autism enjoy moving around and most will be happy to navigate indoor and outdoor obstacle courses. This activity can be designed to target a variety of motor and cognitive skills and include a wide range of activities from simple to more challenging. Obstacle courses are some of the best ways for your child to work on their balance, strength, gross motor skills, and coordination, while having fun. For children who have difficulties with motor planning and sequencing, this activity will provide them with an opportunity to practice completing tasks.

To make an obstacle course, you can use anything from mats and foam shapes to chairs, ladders, and hula hoops, or any other objects you may find in your home or garden. Incorporate activities such as bean bag tossing, throwing and catching a ball, and jumping ropes. You can ask your child to walk on uneven surfaces, stand or hop on one foot to practice balance, push or pull heavy items, do push ups or sit ups to increase strength, and do jumping jacks and run around cones to work on coordination. Whatever activities you choose, make sure to explain the course to your child in advance and give it a practice run. 

People with autism spectrum disorder were traditionally viewed as having low intelligence based on their verbal communication skills. 

However, autism is today considered to be a condition separate from intellectual disability. We know that autistic people can have a wide range of learning and thinking skills that can make them both severely challenged and gifted. 

In this article, we’ll help you get a better understanding of the complex link between autism and intelligence.

In What Areas Can Autism Affect a Person’s Day to Day Life?

For people with autism spectrum disorder and their families, day to day life is filled with numerous challenges. The condition is characterized by various degrees of learning difficulties. Although many people may be able to live independently, others need lifelong support and care. 

Some of the most common areas in which autism affects day-to-day life are communication, social interactions, and living skills. 

Verbal communication

Depending on where on the spectrum they fall, people with autism have various levels of communication abilities. Some have very limited speaking capacities or are not able to use language at all. They may have significant difficulties understanding what other people are saying. Non-verbal communication including hand gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions may also be challenging for individuals with autism who are unable to fully grasp body language.

Typical patterns of language use and behaviors in children and adults with autism include: 

• Repetitive or rigid language, like saying things that have no meaning or repeating the same words, a condition known as echolalia 
• Machine-like and monotonic speech
• Speaking in a high-pitched or “sing-song” voice
• Uneven language development, for instance, having an extensive vocabulary only within a specific area of interest
• Limited nonverbal conversation skills, such as the inability to use gestures and facial expressions.

However, many autistic people have a rich vocabulary and can talk about specific subjects in great detail, even though they may still experience problems with verbal intonation and the rhythm of words and sentences.

Social interactions

One of the main defining characteristics of autism spectrum disorder is social dysfunction. People with autism often show little interest in the world around them and have a limited understanding of other people’s feelings and ideas. 

Autistic individuals frequently experience social interactions as unpredictable and frightening. For example, they may not understand the purpose of saying hello and goodbye, showing facial expressions, waiting for their turn to speak, or maintaining eye contact during conversation. As a consequence, they may find it difficult to maintain friendships, which can lead to further social isolation. 

Living skills

Everyday tasks such as self-care, home organization, cleaning, cooking, shopping, and transportation can be a challenge for autistic people. At the same time, daily living skills are indispensable for being able to live independently, rely less on others, as well as for improving self-esteem and quality of life in general. Research suggests that impairments in daily living skills in individuals with autism are directly related to their cognitive abilities and can often improve throughout childhood and adolescence.

Other challenges

Several other issues can make the normal day-to-day functioning of autistic individuals difficult:

Sensory overload

Most people with autism spectrum disorder are affected by sensory overload. Crowds, excessive noise, bright lights, and strong tastes and smells may feel overwhelming and disruptive because they provide more sensory input than the autistic brain can process.

Emotional sensitivity

Autistic people frequently struggle to control their emotions in new and unpredictable situations and transition to another activity or setting. These stressful situations may trigger unusually intense emotional reactions compared to their neurotypical peers.

Resistance to change

Individuals with autism are generally resistant to change and prefer familiar situations and activities. Any disruption in their routines could cause frustration and anger.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder and the issues mentioned above are consequences of the way different parts of the brain form and connect to one another.

What Parts of the Brain are Affected by Autism?

Research shows that some parts of the brain are structurally different in autistic than non-autistic people. For example, children and adolescents with autism have an enlarged hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for learning and memory. Furthermore, the size of the amygdala—the region of the brain that deals with emotions—also differs in people with autism and neurotypical individuals. The cortex, the brain’s outer layer, seems to have a different pattern of thickness in people with and without autism.

One of the key brain regions affected by autism is the cerebellum, the brain structure that plays a crucial role in cognition and social interactions. Autistic individuals are known to have decreased amounts of gray matter in parts of the cerebellum. This region of the brain is also indispensable for movement and learning motor skills, which may explain challenges with coordination and fine and gross motor skills typical for autism spectrum disorder.

However, the way that these differences in brain structure affect autism and yield autistic savants or people with below-average intelligence is still not fully understood.

Does family background contribute towards autism?

Studies show that children in families with a history of brain conditions are at increased risk of autism. The more closely related the family members with these conditions, the greater the chances of having autism. Moreover, the odds increase if there are other children with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or intellectual disability in the family, or if a parent has schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or depression. 

Nevertheless, it is only possible to identify a specific genetic cause of autism in around 15% of cases. Brain development is influenced by a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors. In other words, if a person is genetically predisposed to autism, environmental elements will increase their risk of having the condition.

Autism prevalence in the United States

An estimated 222 per 10,000 children in the United States were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in 2020. This is one of the highest autism prevalence rates in the world, after Hong Kong and South Korea. 

An earlier study suggested that some ethnic groups seemed to be more predisposed to autism than others. The study found an increased risk of being diagnosed with autism in children of American-born Hispanic and African American mothers as well as African American, Central or South American, Filipino, and Vietnamese foreign-born mothers. 

However, newer research has demonstrated that the prevalence of autism is in fact very similar among racial groups. The earlier disparity might have been due to the fact that diagnostic practices and services are not equally available to different ethnic groups, in addition to certain environmental factors.

Types of IQ

The intelligence quotient (IQ) is a measure of human intelligence, which is commonly evaluated with the help of Wechsler scales in studies on autism. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and Wechsler Intelligence Scales for Children (WISC) are used to measure a combination of performance and verbal intelligence in autistic children and adults. The results can help determine the areas in which individual support plans and treatment programs should be developed for these individuals.

Performance IQ (PIQ)

Nonverbal intelligence is the ability to analyze information and solve problems using visual, practical reasoning. The performance or nonverbal IQ is a measure of intelligence that doesn’t require the use of words or language. It measures a person’s nonverbal reasoning, spatial processing skills, attention to detail, and hand-eye coordination skills.

Verbal IQ (VIQ)

Verbal IQ is the ability to analyze information and solve problems using language-based reasoning. This reasoning involves reading or listening to words, writing, and engaging in a conversation. Verbal intelligence measures verbal reasoning, comprehension of verbal information, and the ability to express knowledge through spoken language. 

Intellectual disability measured by IQ scores may vary depending on the type of test used. Non-verbal children, for example, can obtain low scores on verbal IQ tests but may score at an age-appropriate level on tests of spatial intelligence. In general, autistic individuals perform better on performance IQ than verbal IQ tests, consistent with the cognitive and social deficits of autism. 

Autistic individuals with high IQ typically underperform on cognitive tests compared to neurotypical adults or children in the same IQ range. At the same time, people with autism spectrum disorder who have low IQ perform similarly to their neurotypical counterparts. Research suggests that cognitive deficits in high-IQ autistic people may have underlying causes that are not rooted in the condition itself.

Is IQ related to the range of function of an autistic person?

The intelligence and range of function in individuals with autism are highly but not perfectly correlated. IQ scores generally relate to communication skills and adapting to daily life, however, they are not exact indicators of cognitive functioning and the ability of a person with autism to navigate the day to day life. Studies show that many people with autism have lower life skills than what would be expected given their cognitive abilities. 

This is why taking the intelligence quotient to categorize autistic individuals can be misleading. An individual’s level of functioning can be more impacted by underlying mental health issues, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance abuse, gastrointestinal issues, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), depression, and anxiety, than by IQ. 

National Therapeutic Recreation Week highlights that recreational therapy helps patients and persons with disabilities. Therapeutic recreation programs include the involvement of sports, expressive arts, muscle relaxation techniques, or even hobbies like horticulture.

AT Hidden Talents, we believe that Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the key to helping children on the autism spectrum succeed. Our three step process works to deliver personalized and comprehensive treatment. Learn more about our services at hiddentalentsaba.com

Around us, life bursts with miracles, a glass of water, a ray of sunshine, a leaf, a caterpillar, a flower, laughter, raindrops.

~ Nhat Hanh

From our friends at caregiverlist.com

When you love someone with Autism, it’s perfectly normal and natural to ask yourself, “What’s it like to have autism?”. 

It’s important to know that as hard as you try, you could never fully understand if you do not deal with it yourself. 

While entirely relating is impossible, there are a few things to know that will help you appropriately communicate and connect to individuals with Autism.

The Struggles that Autistic Children Face

Autistic children can be a challenge for families and teachers. The adults and peers of autistic children must consider their unique struggles and exercise patience with them.

So what struggles do autistic children face in their day-to-day lives? One is anxiety. Autistic children often struggle to communicate with others and interpret social cues in the ways that others can. The inability to communicate both fuels anxiety effectively and prevents autistic children from expressing their anxiety to others to seek their help.

Here are a few examples of how anxiety may manifest itself in an autistic child:

•       Social-centered phobias
•       Excessive worry about or rumination on a topic
•       Obsessive and compulsive behaviors
•       Hyper-vigilance or shell shock
•       Development of phobias
•       Behaviors of avoidance
•       Rigidity in routines or resistance to change
•       Self-harm
•       Controlling behaviors
•       Defiance
•       Meltdowns
•       Shutdowns and refusal to speak or act

Autistic children often struggle with change as well. Familiarity is more comfortable, supposedly due to processing differences and anxieties.

Aside from the struggles stemming from their condition, autistic children must deal with other children who don’t understand them. This may lead to bullying, which people with developmental differences or disabilities tend to be especially susceptible to. 

What it’s Like to Have Autism

You cannot truly understand and relate to a person with Autism unless you live with it yourself! However, attempting to do so can be beneficial for your development and allow you to better support the autistic individuals in your life.

1)     Have you ever felt shy or uncomfortable around people? Know that an autistic child can feel that way all of the time. This is not due to a lack of effort; it is simply a result of the communication differences associated with Autism.

2)     Do you prefer that things be a certain way? Or even feel anxious when they are not. For example, is a spice not in the rack, or is a book left on top of a bookshelf when there is an intended space for it? This is a discomfort that autistic individuals often grapple with in every aspect of their lives. The way they process is often not forgiving to change or disorder, and this may cause them to feel emotional and act out in a way they may not be able to control.

3)     When you become angry or upset, do you sometimes find it hard to calm down and look at things logically? Imagine your brain working against you, inhibiting your ability to do so. This is a common struggle for autistic children and even adults.

Connecting to an Autistic Child

You may be wondering, how can you deal with an autistic child? Ask yourself what you can do to support them and make them comfortable. Here are some tips to help.

•       Take Time to Learn Triggers – Children on the autism spectrum may be hypersensitive to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light, or colors. Make sure to note when they seem uncomfortable. If the child is verbal, you can also ask them if things make them feel bad. You may also look into getting them clothing and shoes that are tailored to autistic children. 
•       Say What You Mean – Impaired communication skills are a common occurrence among individuals with Autism. It is essential to communicate in a way that is as clear and simple as possible, also calling out any specific emotional context to be considered with the statement. Be sure to allow extra time for the child to process if they need it.
•       Monitor Your Reactions – Social skills can be a challenge when you are on the autism spectrum. When an autistic child says or does something hurtful or inappropriate, don’t take it personally. Instead, gently approach them to explain why their behavior was unacceptable and how they should react.

How ABA Therapy Can Help with Your Autistic Child

What is ABA therapy ? 

Applied behavioral analysis (ABA) is a type of therapy that can improve social, communication, and learning skills through positive reinforcement. This is often considered a top treatment option for autistic children.

ABA therapy is highly personalized, with a care plan built around assessing an autistic child’s current abilities and opportunities for growth. This therapy does not focus on making the child more “normal” but instead emphasizes developing new, different skills and behaviors to improve the child’s quality of life.

ABA therapy uses the environment to stimulate growth. This may involve rewards or the withholding of those rewards. These positive and negative reinforcements tend to be very successful with the differences in how an autistic child’s processing works, whereas “typical” social training such as scolding a child may not be.

ABA therapy is an excellent option if your child tends to be receptive to rewards as a motivation for positive behavior. Sessions with a qualified therapist can teach a child to replace behaviors like screaming with sitting quietly or using words to make requests. They can also conduct valuable life skills like brushing your teeth or shaking hands upon meeting a new person.

Conclusion

 A typical person can never really know what it is like to have autism. However, you can try to empathise with your autistic child in order to understand them better.  

Raising an autistic child is definitely hard work. However, the light and joy they will bring to your life is immeasurable.  

Every day little changes become a lifetime of BIG changes.

At Hidden Talents ABA, we believe that children with autism can lead happy, healthy, and productive lives. Learn more about ABA therapy and our individualized approach at hiddentalentsaba.com

As we move towards the recovery of the COVID-19 pandemic, we highlight Community Health Improvement Week. We honor the health professionals who were at the forefront of the pandemic and those who work closely with our community.

This year’s theme is Reflect, Renew, and Rise Together. Reflect on the need to improve healthcare for the access of all people, renew the commitment to community health to serve our community, and rise together to strengthen our neighborhoods through collaboration.

When you think about autism, you likely consider the challenges that people face. You might not realize that many people with autism are also geniuses. They excel in certain areas, from mathematics and technology to music.

Find out what an autistic savant is. Then, get the details on 15 geniuses with autism. Finally, find out how ABA therapy can help autistic geniuses reach their full potential.

What Is an Autistic Savant?

People with autism have some challenges that others don’t face. These challenges might include:

•   Social phobias
•   Excessive worrying
•   Avoidance behaviors
•   Obsessive-compulsive disorder

It’s also not unusual for people with autism to be rigid in their routines.

Even with these challenges, numerous autistic children and adults demonstrate nearly super-human abilities in specific areas. These people are identified as autistic savants.

If you’ve ever watched the movie “Rain Man” with Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, you’ve seen an autistic savant in action. Dustin Hoffman’s character, Raymond, is autistic. He portrays characteristics such as strict adherence to routines and isn’t emotionally expressive.

However, he has a photographic memory. He can quickly rattle off phone book listings or baseball statistics as if he’s reading from a book.

His character was based on a real person named Kim Peek. Just like the character in the movie, Peek has an unbelievable memory.

15 Famous Geniuses With Autism

Now, let’s look at 15 geniuses with autism. These geniuses have either been diagnosed with or are thought to have autism.

1.     Elon Musk

If you watch Saturday Night Live, you might have seen Elon Musk announce he has Asperger’s during his monologue on May 8, 2021. As the co-founder of The Boring Company, Neuralink, SpaceX, and Tesla, Musk is a tech genius, with many more exciting things to come.

2.     Albert Einstein

While not formally diagnosed, many believe that Albert Einstein had Asperger’s. He showed many signs, including some difficulties with small talk.

Those challenges didn’t prevent him from winning the Nobel Prize for Physics. The world as a whole is still benefiting from his many discoveries.

3.     Isaac Newton

Experts also believe that Isaac Newton had autism. He immersed himself in his work, rarely speaking. He was so passionate about his work that he’d even forget to eat.

His passion paid off, as he is credited for leading the Scientific Revolution of the 17th century and is responsible for discovering the laws of gravity.

4.     Charles Darwin

“On the Origin of Species” is one of the most important works ever published and cemented Charles Darwin’s place as a groundbreaking biologist. He was passionate about his work but withdrawn socially. Many believe that’s because Charles Darwin had autism.

5.     Nikola Tesla

Many experts also believe that Nikola Tesla had autism. He had the ability to hyper-focus on projects and ideas, and that led to the development of the groundbreaking alternating-current electrical system.

His true power came from his ability to visualize concepts. This allowed him to turn concepts into reality.

While he was a successful inventor, he struggled with sensitivity to sounds and lights and had various phobias.

6.     Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson will always be remembered as the author of the Declaration of Independence. A prolific writer and gifted inventor, his legacy lives on today.

Many people believe that Jefferson likely had autism. This is largely because of his adherence to routines. He couldn’t stand it if his established routines were interrupted for any reason.

He was also known as being emotionally distant, with poor communication skills. That didn’t hold him back from achieving success.  

7.     Michelangelo

Michelangelo was an artistic genius with numerous world-renowned works of art, including the sculpture of David and the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling.  Experts state that he exhibited many traits of autism, including adherence to a routine and emotional distance.

These traits might have helped him with his work. He was able to lock into a project and see it through to completion with little interruption.

8.     Steve Jobs

As the co-founder of Apple, Steve Jobs transformed personal computing and mobile devices. If you use an iPhone or a Mac, you can thank Jobs.

There’s also speculation that he had autism. He was known for perfectionism and managed to think outside of the box. Being on the spectrum might have helped him turn Apple into the tech giant it is today.

9.     Alfred Kinsey

A famous biologist and sexologist, Alfred Kinsey, redefined the way people think of sex and sexuality. Like many others on this list, he threw himself into his work with little time for social interaction. He didn’t have many relationships, leading many to believe that he was autistic.

10.  Bobby Fischer

A chess prodigy from a young age, Bobby Fischer went on to become an American grandmaster. His genius-level IQ helped him defeat opponents and turned him into a household name.

He was obsessed with chess and had issues with personal relationships. Experts have attempted to diagnose him, with many believing he was autistic. It’s possible that he had autism and another disorder, such as schizophrenia.

11.  Tim Burton

Tim Burton is a creative genius. He manages to manifest ideas that others couldn’t even begin to think of, which is why he’s had so much success.

He hasn’t been formally diagnosed with autism but identifies with the condition. After watching a documentary on the subject, he mentioned that he felt the same way as a child.

12.  Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol changed the art world for the better. He was a creative force during the Pop Art movements in the 1960s. He also likely had autism.

People point to the repetitive nature of his work as a sign of autism. He was also known for providing monosyllabic responses to interview questions, which might have been due to autism.

13.  Stephen Wiltshire

Stephen Wiltshire is a British architectural artist who became a household name due to his photographic memory. He can tap into his memory to draw complete city skylines. He now has a gallery and has contributed numerous pieces to the art world.

He received his autism diagnosis when he was only three years old. Language was difficult for him early on, but that didn’t slow him down. He created his first commissioned piece when he was eight and had been going strong ever since.

14.  Ludwig Wittgenstein

Ludwig Wittgenstein is often considered the greatest philosopher of the 1900s. His genius was clear in the early days, when he made a sewing machine at the age of 10, using his own design for the project. While his mind was agile, he had trouble making friends and was often teased.

His contributions to ethics, logic, and metaphysics are still important to this day. Along with his work, experts have been discussing the possibility that he was autistic.

15.  Amadeus Mozart

A child prodigy, Mozart started composing music at the age of 5. His musical memory was like nothing people had seen before. It was clear early on that he was a musical genius.

While autism wasn’t even a concept during his lifetime, experts now believe that he was on the spectrum.

Mozart was bothered by loud sounds and had trouble controlling his impulses. You can also find lots of repetition in his musical pieces. Instead of hindering him, the characteristics of autism likely helped him achieve greatness.

How ABA Therapy Can Help Autistic Geniuses

Autistic geniuses can feel like they are trapped in their own worlds. While this can help some achieve greatness, the characteristics of autism can hold others back. In other words, for every Mozart, there’s a musical genius who cannot move beyond the rigidity of routines to compose something great.

Many autistic geniuses find that applied behavior analysis (ABA) can help. Autistic geniuses can use this therapy to improve their communication and language skills. The therapy also boosts focus and memory while decreasing problematic behaviors. It can even help autistic geniuses become more social.

The therapist begins by determining the cause of behaviors. This includes the circumstances under which a patient engages in a behavior. Then, the therapist helps the patient replace problem behaviors with new, healthier options.

After successful treatment, people with autism will have new skills to use in various situations. They will also have finetuned existing skills and should notice a decrease in problem behaviors.

As an autistic genius, this can be quite valuable. It helps people maximize their potential by reducing roadblocks that get in the way of achievements.

Unlock Your Potential

If you’re an autistic genius, consider ABA therapy. It could be the key to unlocking your full potential. 

Engaging autistic teenagers in various activities is essential for helping them learn and nurture necessary skills that may otherwise be hard for them to master. Activities ranging from arts and crafts to music, animal care, and even playing video games can increase your teen’s confidence, sense of self-worth, and general well-being. 

Below, we discuss the best activities for teens with autism spectrum disorder that are both educational and fun. 

15 Activities for Autistic Teenagers

• Board games

Board games are highly beneficial for children with special needs, including autism. Playing board games can help your autistic teen develop skills that are often hard to master, such as concentrating, following the rules, and taking turns.

When choosing a board game to play with your teen, make sure that the game difficulty level suits your child’s ability. 

You may want to start with a simple game that requires only throwing the dice and moving the pawn, such as Ludo, Snakes and Ladders, or dominoes. If your teen has a good visual-spatial memory, they may enjoy playing chess and other more advanced strategy games. Some board games, such as Social Skills Bingo for Teens, focus specifically on teaching social skills, asking questions, and understanding body language. 

• Painting 

For teenagers with autism spectrum disorder, painting can be a great means of expression. Studies show that engaging in artistic activities encourages children with autism to communicate their feelings and emotions. Activities such as painting and drawing can enhance your autistic teen’s fine and gross motor skill development, in addition to building and strengthening their visual-spatial skills. They can also positively impact communication, social interaction, and self-esteem.

Some autistic teenagers avoid painting due to tactile defensiveness. If your child likes technology, you can suggest using the Draw Something app. This social drawing tool will allow your teen to interact with friends and send them pictures they draw. The Scribblify painting app with its extensive selection of brushes, drawing modes, color effects, and backgrounds can be another fun way for your teen with tactile sensitivity to create artwork.

• Exercising

Teens with autism often have limited motor function, strength, and coordination, all of which can affect their daily life skills and self-esteem. Exercising on a regular basis will allow your teenager not only to improve their physical health, but also to enjoy a variety of activities with friends and family.

Physical activity can also enhance a general feeling of well-being and counterbalance depression and anxiety, in addition to improving your child’s learning and social behavior. Regular physical activity has even been shown to decrease repetitive behaviors like body rocking, spinning, and head-nodding in children and teens with autism. 

The Autism Fitness website offers exercise suggestions suitable for autistic teens and provides many other fitness-related resources for teenagers with autism. 

• Cooking

Cooking is a soothing and predictable activity ideal for autistic teenagers. Meal preparation is an essential daily living skill that will help your teen become more independent as an adult. What’s more, cooking and sharing meals is also an excellent way to develop social skills. 

Before starting to teach your teen with autism how to cook, make sure to take into consideration any sensory issues, fine and gross motor limitations, and food aversions. The eduAUTISM website offers plenty of recipes for autistic children and teenagers that accommodate different food-related challenges. Here you’ll also find gluten-free, dairy-free, casein-free, and sugar-free recipes for children who are on a restriction diet.

• Reading

Reading should be a part of every autistic teen’s daily routine as it helps develop language and improves learning and comprehension skills. Encourage your child to read a variety of fiction, educational, and scientific books that are easy to understand, but also books that are specifically targeted towards autistic teens. 

AAPC Publishing offers a range of inspirational and informative books for autistic tweens and teens with communication and social skills challenges, such as The Secret Rules of Social Networking by B. Klipper and R. Shapiro-Rieser and Diary of a Social Detective by J. Jessum. 

Brightly has excellent book suggestions for teens with autism, for example The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a 13-Year-Old Boy with Autism by N. Higashida or Anything But Typical by Raleigh Baskin that deals with the topic of fitting in for autistic teens. 

• Watching TV

Carefully curated TV watching can help your teenager with autism build knowledge and skills that can be useful both in a school setting and everyday life. Through game shows and documentaries, for example, your child will be able to acquire the necessary language skills to discuss a variety of topics with their peers. In addition, selected TV programs can show them how to behave in various situations and help them develop social skills.

• Video games

Children and teens with autism are often attracted to video games because of their visual nature, structure, and immediate feedback. The good news is, playing video games can be beneficial for your teenager as it encourages the development of problem-solving skills, use of logic, as well as imagination and creativity. Multiplayer and MMO games are excellent tools for improving your teen’s social skills. Video games your teen may enjoy playing include Minecraft, Portal 2, and New Super Mario Bros.

• Puzzles

Puzzles are an ideal activity for autistic teens as they provide a tactile sensation, while at the same time helping your child improve focus and fine motor skills. Puzzles can also enhance creative and cognitive abilities and can have a calming effect when your teen is feeling restless. Furthermore, completing puzzles together with others can help enhance your teen’s language and communication. Always make sure to choose a puzzle with a suitable difficulty level for your teen and encourage them to talk about what they’re doing while working on the puzzle. 

• LEGO 

Building with LEGO blocks is a popular pastime among autistic teens. The activity is perceived as structured and predictable because the blocks come in limited shapes and sizes and the building process requires repetitive movements. 

Building with LEGOs can also be beneficial for teens who experience anxiety in social situations, for example, if they are interacting with someone they don’t know well. Studies have shown that autistic children often become more interested in interacting with each other if they are playing with LEGOs. This mode of playing encourages children to use verbal and nonverbal communication skills, share with others, take turns, and use their problem-solving skills.

• Household chores

One of the best ways for autistic teens to develop a practical understanding of concepts such as responsibility and sharing is by doing household chores. They can start with simple tasks like putting things in their place, watering plants, or collecting letters from the mailbox. As they get comfortable with chores, you can teach them more advanced tasks, for example, how to make the bed, set the table, clean the house, or cook a simple meal.

• Listening to music

Many teenagers with autism are emotionally responsive to music, and melodic sounds often capture their attention much better than spoken language. Listening to music is also a powerful multi-sensory experience that can help your autistic teenager reduce anxiety levels, develop their verbal and social skills, and improve memory. In addition, music offers security, comfort and increases self-confidence. 

• Learning an instrument