Being a kid with autism is hard. Autistic kids have real struggles. Most of the time, they are bombarded with both verbal and body language messages that they are less than their “normal” counterparts. People around them tell them how lazy, bad, or unmotivated they are. 

When they see their peers achieving their goals and they cannot even if they do their best, it might negatively affect their self-esteem. As a parent, there are lots of amazing ways that you can use to nurture self-esteem in kids with autism. The ideas that we are going to discuss are not only simple but also powerful. Let’s get started!

Art can contribute to so many aspects of development. In the case of Autism, playful and projective activities are directly associated with positive dynamics of subjective development in these children and young people. It is important that the professional is trained to work with children who have this type of condition, to provide the best direction of care. Art can be a valuable tool for interventions with autistic children, because it is a fundamental element to develop activities that constitute a stimulus for their social interaction and development of communication. This article gives you 5 books that explain the benefits of art in autistic people.

“We are all much more simply human than otherwise, be we happy and successful, contented and detached, miserable and mentally disordered, or whatever.” – Harry Stack Sullivan

Not many people have ever heard of it but the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) 5, (American Psychiatric Association 2013) is used by paediatricians and psychiatrists world wide as an aid to diagnosis. In the DSM, ‘echolalia’ (immediate or delayed) is listed as a significant symptom leading to a diagnosis of autistic syndrome disorder (ASD). The DSM describes echolalia as an example of a repetitive pattern of behaviour that may include verbatim repetition of words, phrases or more extensive parts of dialogue or songs. The DSM says that these utterances do not appear to be relevant to the current situation. Echoing (echolalia) is seen as a symptom of an underlying condition, a sign that something is wrong.

All children can and do experience anxiety at some point. Yet, for children with autism, anxiety can manifest in a range of different behaviors, some of which can be harmful and dangerous. As well as identifying the common triggers of anxiety for your child, here are a range of proactive and reactive strategies which you can implement to help your child cope with and overcome anxiety…

Last session in series: Inclusion of Autistic children in mainstream schools – run by Colin and Elliot Newton and featuring Derek Wilson via Zoom webinar was well received.

Third session in series: Including Autistic Children in mainstream schools – run by Colin and Elliot Newton and featuring Derek Wilson via Zoom webinar was well received.

Bringing home your special needs newborn baby will certainly be a daunting prospect. For some support and advice for getting it right, read on…

‘All babies need and deserve a big welcome whatever struggles they may have ahead. Noone can prophecy the future of any child and no parent needs to be made to feel their child is less valuable than others’.

Micheline Mason – ‘Dear Parents’ (2008)

Bringing home a newborn baby is a difficult time for any parent, and new challenges arise altogether when your baby has special needs. The welcome from the medical world, family and friends is likely to be complicated by feelings of pity, shame, fear and negativity. Most parents of disabled children what the same hopeful and joyful welcome as everyone else! The cards, the balloon, the cake…