Children who have been exposed to alcohol before birth can present with a wide spectrum of abilities and needs. Conditions related to this developmental experience are formally known as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) and represent this spectrum. In addition to these FASD diagnoses, there are common “comorbidities”. This means that other challenges may occur because of FASD or alongside …
Teeth Brushing and Sensory Needs or Autism
Why won’t my child with autism brush their teeth? While teeth-brushing is a part of adults’ daily routines that we don’t think much about, it can be a source of intense stress for children with sensory sensitivities or autism. This may be due to hyposensitivity or hypersensitivity in the mouth. Here, we outline some ideas to support the transition from …
Bedtime Tips for Children with Disabilities
A number of studies have identified that children with developmental disabilities like autism, Down syndrome, and Global Developmental Delay struggle with sleep challenges more often than children who are typically-developing. Before seeking professional help, there are a number of strategies you can try to help your child sleep more consistently and soundly at night. Where do I start in helping …
How Can I Get My Child to Clean Up After Themselves?
Sometimes it might feel like your child is a little tornado blowing through your home; uprooting organization systems and leaving crumbs in its path. Whether you have a typically-developing child or not, all children need a little guidance in tidying up. When the clean up song doesn’t work, here are some tools you can use to encourage cleaning up. Specific …
What Therapy Helps Sensory Issues?
What are sensory sensitivities? Sensory sensitivities are unusual experiences with sensory input. Humans experience sensory input through five senses: seeing, hearing/listening, touch/feeling, taste, and smell. With a sensory sensitivity, a person might experience something more intensely or less intensely than someone without a sensitivity. For example, bright lights might make someone feel extremely on edge or anxious because they are …
All About Early Intervention
All About Early Intervention Early Intervention is a state-run collection of services to support children with any type of developmental delay. Children from infancy through age three may receive services for delays in language, movement, learning, social-emotional functioning, and self-help skills. Services may also include medical support, mental health support, or general guidance for families to support their children at …
How Can I Help My Child With Down Syndrome Transition?
Getting ready for a change in environment, activity, or caregiver with a child with Down syndrome can be challenging. Down syndrome looks different from child to child in terms of learning support needs, health needs, and behavior support needs. However, many children with Down syndrome also struggle with self-regulation in the face of change and might be referred to as …
What is Separation Anxiety Disorder in Children?
Separation Anxiety Disorder is characterized by extreme distress around events where a caregiver leaves or plans to leave, significantly affecting day-to-day activities. Significant, debilitating anxiety may also surround leaving home, being alone, or being away from home. A child may also fixate on thoughts of being kidnapped, lost, or subject to a disaster that separates them from their family. Separation …
Special Education in a Public School vs. Therapeutic School
What is special education? Special education is a wide variety of academic and therapeutic services that help students with disabilities learn. Special education teachers support students with diverse needs and either adapt the general education curriculum or develop a separate curriculum to address students’ needs. Some students with disabilities have Individualized Education Programs (IEPs): a legal document outlining the services …
All About Global Developmental Delays
What is a global developmental delay? A global delay, developmental delay, or global developmental delay is when a child ages 0-5 takes longer than average to hit more than one developmental milestone. Some developmental milestones for young children include talking, walking, learning, moving, using their hands, and addressing personal needs (self-feeding, toileting, appropriate emotional regulation). This diagnosis encompasses multiple areas …