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Here you’ll find information and resources about autism, communication, behavior, and self-help skills.

3 Strategies to Help Your Child Eat New Foods
Improving your autistic child's diet is a challenge for so many families! The pediatrician says “Only offer what the rest of the family eats. They’ll eat when they get hungry enough.” Your mom says you went through a picky phase and now you eat...

7 Ways to Teach Your Child to Sit at the Table
Sitting at the table is one of those things that’s hard to decide on. Should I have my kids only eat at the table? Is it better that I just feed them? Even if that means it’s chasing them down or letting them eat while watching the iPad? If you haven’t read my...

The Power of the Mealtime Schedule
Setting up a mealtime schedule is by far one of the most important things we can do to help our kids learn how to eat new foods and become less picky. When I’m on a home visit and the family brings up concerns about picky eating or challenging behaviors at meal...

How to Stop Your Child’s Frustrating Mealtime Behaviors
Frustrating mealtime behaviors can make the calmest of parents want to lose their minds! I’ve threatened to throw iPADs in the garbage. I’ve put my kid in time out. I’ve put myself in time out and screamed into a pillow. On Mother’s Day...

The Critical First Step in Addressing Picky Eating
Few things feel worse as a parent than when you can’t get your child to eat. Why are they so picky? Why will their cousins eat anything that’s set in front of them? And, why aren't they eating the foods they ate last week? You are not...

Simple and Effective Sensory Strategies
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the links and buy something, I may earn a commission. Thanks! Sensory Strategies to Improve Your Child's...

Sensory Processing and Autism: Part 2
Last week I talked about the basics of our sensory system and how our brain needs to take in all of that information, process it, assign it some meaning, and then respond appropriately for the situation. For a quick recap, remember: There are 5 basic...

Sensory Processing and Autism: Part 1
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the links and buy something, I may earn a commission. Thanks! Sensory Processing and Autism Temple...

7 Easy Ways to Teach Your Toddler to Respond to Their Name
Is It a Big Deal if My Toddler Doesn't Respond to Their Name? One of the earliest social behaviors our babies learn is to respond to their name. Did you know babies usually start responding to their name around 8-10 months? Did you know your child should...

Can You See Signs of Autism Before 2?
Is my two year-old showing signs of autism? Is it just a speech delay? Am I just over-analyzing it? Many parents are confused by conflicting information and advice they get about their child’s development. Your in-laws might tell you that your spouse...

Don’t Wait and See If You’re Worried About Autism
Parents who are worried about possible autism are often given the outdated (and terrible) advice of “wait and see” by their child’s pediatrician and other well-meaning family and friends. Pediatricians tell us they’ll check in with us at the next appointment in...

7 Awesome Toys for Toddlers and Preschoolers
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you click on the links and buy something, I may earn a commission. Thanks! Thinking about the best toys to get your...

Talking to Your Extended Family About Autism
Many of us will be seeing extended family and friends during the holiday season. Usually friends and family are a great source of support. However, when your child has autism or other special needs you may need to talk to them ahead of your visit. Discussing your...

How to Travel with Kids with Autism
I've worked with many families that have a young child with autism that want to travel. They want to visit relatives, go to Disneyland, or go on a long-awaited trip with friends. However, it seems like an impossibility. Last week I said parents of kids with...

Don’t Panic! 3 Tips to Survive the Holidays
The holidays will be here soon! If this sentence causes your heart to race, don't panic! The holiday season can be really difficult for families with kids with autism and other developmental delays. Families are torn between wanting to be at holiday events...
5 Activities to Build Attention & Play Skills
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