Tag Archives: special needs

When Fidgets Become Trendy

The fidget spinner craze!  Have you heard of it?   A new “fidget” hit the markets and immediately became the newest sought-after toy among elementary and middle school students.  It’s a small hand held toy that spins on different bearings which each give different sensory feedback.  Though the craze has just recently begun, the design was […]

What is inclusion and why does it matter?

Inclusion. It’s a word that is stressed by parents of special needs often. It’s simple. Inclusion is the act of including. Inclusion means feeling part of something larger than yourself and feeling like you belong. It’s a feeling, we all take for granted, but if we never had that sense of belonging, it would make a seriously detrimental impact on our lives.

The Occupation of Social Participation

The Occupational Therapy Framework, which I had to memorize by heart as a college student, breaks down our lives into seven occupations.  The goal at mind is to find happiness, independence, and balance between the seven occupations: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) Instruments of Daily Living (IADLs) Rest & Sleep Education Work Play Leisure Social […]

Ten ways to fill your own cup

Last night, on my facebook page I shared an image that read: “You can’t pour from an empty cup.  Take care of yourself first.” How many times have you been told that, in some form or another, as a special needs parents?  Probably countless of times.  It sounds so good and so true but I […]

Meltdown Vs. Temper Tantrum

Here’s the thing about meltdowns. They are not a tantrum.  They are not manipulative feats to get what they want.  The individual with autism can not control it.  And they are not about you. I’ve been told: “Well, he’s getting too old for that.” “It wasn’t fair to (insert adult name here).  He didn’t do anything […]

Strong Too Long

Autism has kicked my butt these past two weeks. You know it’s not even just autism.  It was having to work with my other son’s IEP team to make sure they’re really doing what they said they were doing.  Working with the school secretary to find the answer to bus questions.  Making sure the play […]

Don’t Stare

We were in the process of checking out when I discovered that even though all the groceries had fit in the cart alongside Brian, they didn’t seem to fit anymore once they were bagged. I told Brian I needed him to come out and he immediately started whining.  I grabbed him under his arms and […]

The Tipping Point

As Brian begins to enter the world of puberty we struggle with hormones and emotions and how to explain abstract concepts to a little boy who in some ways is no further along developmentally than a preschooler. In the mornings we’ve added in the step of using deodorant to help him not be the stinky […]