So much time is spent during the school day on academics, that there's often little time for play, movement, or the arts. Many kids go to school every day with the expectation that they will have to be still and seated for the majority of the day, which is contrary to what it is to be a kid. If we want our children to discover their gifts and their talents, especially if they are budding young artists, there's no way for that to happen if we don't open up the opportunities for them to have those experiences.

We all benefit from schedules. Some people need visual schedules, some people need checkoff schedules, some people need tactile schedules. In this episode we cover the importance of teaching kids how to utilize the schedule, as this is one support that can be embedded within the classroom and in the home that will help your child become as independent as possible, while still providing an incredible support to decrease anxieties, while promoting success.   

When we feel stress, we don't learn. It's nearly impossible to focus on what someone is trying to teach you while you are filled with anxieties, frustrations, and stress. It's vitally important to teach our children different ways to cope with stressful situations so that when they find themselves in the midst of one, they have an outlet to reduce those anxieties and seek out the assistance that they need.

So many parents feel lost when it comes to IEPs. In this episode we talk about some of the most important parts of this plan and the things that you need to watch out for as a parent seeking the best education you can find for your child with autism.

There are incredible abilities that some people with autism have, but sadly, the system usually puts all of its focus in other areas :( This video shares some of the abilities that we should most definitely recognize and encourage.

The sooner intervention begins, the better the potentially amazing outcomes. There is no reason to delay seeking identification. None

Countless numbers of women with autism have shared that they struggled as children, never knowing why they seemed to have a harder time than most girls when it came to interacting with others. Masking who one is can not only take a tremendous effort, but can be completely debilitating. This video reflects on this and provides some guidance to obtain better outcomes.

Bark Parental Control of Social Media:

https://www.bark.us/?utm_source=aw&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_campaign=website-branded-google&utm_content=46385868617&utm_term=e&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrMKmBhCJARIsAHuEAPRFlHehNNnHwwdPfCe7TpFeYFnRStfGMog9xOsBgthW37t8Uqi9pYwaAnnREALw_wcB

IEP goals are a lot more important than parents think. If your child has IEP goals that require a separate setting (small group setting), the school will have what they need to keep your child outside of an inclusive educational environment. If you have goals that lower the bar on their achievement, you can easily experience limited growth and development. But, when a parent does know how to create rigorous and meaningful IEP goals, the IEP can be used as a tool to get your child on a pathway to success. 

All kids are guaranteed an appropriate education in the "Least Restrictive Enviroment". If you're not sure if your child is getting what they should, it's time to schedule a meeting with your school to make sure that all supports are in place within the general education classroom BEFORE removing your child to a more segregated setting. 

It's hard to say if social media is more harmful or more helpful these days. Particularly for kids, parents need to be hypervigilent in monitoring what they see and how they engage in the online world.