Oftentimes, a parent has to wait a long time in order to get applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for their child. When services finally start, it can be tempting to jump right into things. However, doing so can be problematic for a child and lead to a poor or failed relationship with a therapist. That’s why it’s so important to…
As a parent, you want to believe that you will always be ready and able to protect your child. There is no greater bond than that between a parent and child. Most parents would give their lives to save their child without even hesitating. However, a time could come when you are rendered incapable of being able to take care…
Michelle Vinokurov aka Exceptional Shell was non verbal until the age 6! Now she is an autism advocate and keynote speaker! In this short clip from Bridge the Gap she shares what Autism was like for her as a child. Watch her full episode of Bridge the Gap here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU_9D-REImY Watch our other episodes of Bridge the Gap Bridge the…
“It is my goal that the children being diagnosed with Autism today will not look back and their therapies and say, ‘Why did you do that?’ They are going to say, Thank You!” CEO of Hope Education Jessica Leichtweisz explains purpose of the new Youtube TV Show, Bridge the Gap! <br> <h3>Auto Generated Captions</h3> hey guys it’s Jess so I…
Having a young child with Autism is so hard. Having ANY young child is hard for that matter. In the middle of a struggle, it is temping to believe that it will always be hard. In this video, Jessica shares the simple message, “It wont be so hard forever. <br> <h3>Auto Generated Captions</h3> hey guys it’s Jess so this question…
Teaching a child to blow their nose can be really frustrating especially when they have Autism. Children with Autism often have sensory needs that make it more aversive for them to allow an adult to touch their nose to teach them to blow it. Great news! With these strategies, you don’t have to! These simple techniques can make it a…
Verbal behavior seems like the newest buzz word in the world of Autism. Parents ask me almost every day what it is and how it is different from applied behavior analysis (ABA). Truthfully, it is usually used interchangeably. Technically speaking though, it is the part of ABA that teaches children how to use language to communicate. Verbal behavior was developed…
It is so hard to believe that the holiday season is already upon us. This year just flew by. If you are anything like me, standing in long lines at the mall fighting for the best deals is not how you want to spend your holiday. While some people enjoy holiday shopping, for busy moms like yourself who have…
Halloween is many children’s favorite day of the year. However, for children with Autism it can be more spooky than a treat. They are being forced to communicate with potentially dozens of unknown strangers which can be both challenging and stressful. Children with Autism often like routines, may have sensory preferences that make costumes difficult and may not fully understand…
What is food selectivity disorder? A child has food selectivity disorder when they have a very limited selection of foods that they are willing to eat. Having food selectivity disorder is not the same as a child being a picky eater. Usually children with food selectivity wind up being underweight and/or malnourished as a result of eating such limited foods.…