by IABA Team | May 16, 2022
Earlier this year, we wrote an article about Going Back to School for Kids with Autism. Believe it or not, this school year is almost over! That’s why we wanted to come back to this topic but with an obvious twist: reversing the topic.
This article is meant to provide some tips and information regarding easing children with autism back into a summer schedule. Some children with autism may be in year-long plans, so be sure to talk to your child’s therapist about any breaks or scheduling concerns you may have.
Develop a Transition Plan
Just like going back to school, devising a plan to transition from school to summer is crucial for easing a child into a new schedule. Talk to your child’s school or therapist about what are the most important things to keep in mind for summer.
Things like behavior practices and teaching methods should be consistent between parents and teachers. A drastic change in how behavior is handled from school to home can be damaging to your child’s care plan.
Taking Over for Teachers
Making a list of your child’s needs is an important step toward sending them into a comfortable school environment. Likewise, reading notes from and talking to your child’s teacher can update you on certain behaviors and changes that occurred over the course of the school year.
Make a list of behaviors and activities to keep front of mind for your child during summer break. This can help you think quickly if a problematic behavior or situation arises.
Easing into a Summer Schedule
For some autistic children, transitioning into a different schedule can be very difficult. Make sure to ease your child into a summer setting. This means keeping some degree of consistency with bedtimes, mealtimes, activity times, and other daily activities and routines.
Talking to your child’s teacher or therapist about in-school routines can also help you devise a schedule that makes sense to your child. Find out how long certain activities go on and build a summer schedule around that.
Changing into a full-on summer routine doesn’t have to be the option. New summer activities can replace school activities in the same timeframe. Replacing a teacher’s activity with an outdoor play schedule or indoor activity during the same time period can work wonders when it comes to continuity.
Vacations
Depending on a child’s sensitivities, vacations can be the hardest thing about summer when it comes to making a child feel comfortable. It’s hard to simulate a vacation and vacation schedules don’t usually resemble a regular daily routine.
Make sure to have visual aids or anything that will help your child understand your family is going to a fun place away from home a few weeks prior to any trip. Cementing an understanding is very important for a smooth transition.
Be sure to make sure that anywhere you stay or visit knows any special needs you have before going. If your child has special needs be sure to find lodgings and activities that can accommodate those needs.
Most importantly, be sure to make a list of everything your child may want or need on your trip. Favorite toys, objects, snacks, and other things may help your child transition to somewhere new.
Be sure to talk to your child’s therapist or pediatrician before making any vacation plans. They could have insight and information you may not think of on your own.
ABA Therapy from IABA Consultants
If you have questions regarding autism treatment, education, or plans to use ABA therapy, we are here for you! Our goal is to make sure no family is turned away due to financial constraints. Our therapy team would love to talk to you. Find the location closest to you and give us a call. We’re here for you.
by IABA Team | May 9, 2022
Going to the park is a great way to get some outdoor time with your family. Finding a park that an autistic child can feel comfortable at, however, can be a bit of a challenge.
Let’s go over a few general tips about public parks that may help a child with autism feel more comfortable.
Parks & Equipment
Many public parks today are fancier than the ones we had as kids. Plastic climbing walls, steering wheels, and bubble windows are regularly found at parks today. While some of these fun things may not lead to sensory discomfort, many parks have a few things to consider before scheduling a trip.
- Ground texture (woodchips, sand, rubber chips, etc)
- Surface texture (plastic, metal, wood, etc)
- Playset structure (heights, movement, noise, etc)
Taking a mental inventory of things your child is or is not comfortable with when you see a new park can alleviate potential problems before they arise. A lot of public parks have vastly different layouts from one another. Find the one that will work the best for your child’s needs.
Scheduling a Visit
Parks have busy times, just like any other public location. If your child has difficulties with large crowds or other children, finding a slower time could help smooth out a park visit. Things to keep in mind before visiting a park include:
- Time of day
- Day of the week (weekends are busy!)
- Time of year (holidays, 3-day weekends, spring break, etc)
- Businesses around the park (are there a lot of noisy trucks around during the day?)
- Seasonal changes (citywide events, etc)
If your child has difficulty dealing with crowds, make sure to plan your park visits accordingly. Also, be sure to monitor your child’s engagement during any park visit. What do they like? What do they not like? This can help you plan future trips.
What to Bring to a Park Visit
If you want to have a park visit that makes your child feel as comfortable as possible, you may have to bring a couple of things. Things that may help a park visit with a child with autism include:
- Favorite toys or objects
- Snacks & drinks
- Timer or visual aids for visit duration
- Favorite blanket for sitting or picnics
Be sure to ask your child’s therapist if they have any tips for park visits. On top of suggestions, they may have some fun activities that will make your next park visit a blast!
ABA Therapy from IABA Consultants
If you have questions regarding autism treatment, education, or plans to use ABA therapy, we are here for you! Our goal is to make sure no family is turned away due to financial constraints. Our therapy team would love to talk to you. Find the location closest to you and give us a call. We’re here for you.
by IABA Team | May 2, 2022
A few weeks ago, we wrote a blog on general tips to help children with autism feel comfortable at a doctor’s office. We mentioned finding a doctor who has specific practices for children with autism but didn’t go too in-depth.
This week, we want to focus on finding a great pediatrician for autistic children. This includes where to look, what to ask, and what to do before scheduling your first appointment.
How to Find A Pediatrician who Works with Children with Autism
Our previous article mentioned searching online for pediatricians who work with or specialize in children with autism. This is the best step to finding a large list of doctors who can help children with autism. To narrow down a search, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also has a searchable list to find pediatric specialists.
The AAP also notes looking for doctors with the initials FAAP after their name. This indicates they are board-certified members of the AAP which entail:
- Members (fellows) of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Committed to lifelong learning.
- Advocates for children and families.
- Up to date on the latest in child health.
The last 3 are especially important for children with autism, as new information is entering the field at a rapid pace. Be sure to find a doctor who is FAAP certified.
Questions to Ask a Pediatrician’s Office
Before scheduling an appointment with any pediatrician, you’ll want to have some important questions answered. Examples of questions to ask a potential pediatrician’s office include:
- Do they have experience with patients diagnosed with autism?
- Does the pediatrician have any specialties related to autism or ASD?
- Are there any special practices or procedures in place for autistic children?
- Is the office friendly to autistic children?
- Are there any special accommodations for autistic children?
If a potential pediatrician doesn’t answer your questions satisfactorily, be sure to ask the receptionist about other doctors that may help. Many doctors’ offices are part of a larger network and a simple referral could end your search on the spot!
Developmental Pediatricians
Developmental pediatricians are becoming more prevalent. Also called ‘pediatricians for autism,’ developmental pediatricians specialize in children with developmental issues. Developmental pediatricians can help create a comprehensive care plan for your child, one that is created specifically for their unique development.
The offices and practices of developmental pediatricians are often catered toward children with autism. This can include things like office structure, decorations, toys/activities in the waiting area, appointment procedures, and more.
While they are often the best choice, developmental pediatricians can be hard to find in some less-populated areas. Be sure to call any developmental pediatricians you are considering taking your child to as soon as possible. Like all specialists, developmental pediatricians are often booked weeks or months in advance.
ABA Therapy from IABA Consultants
If you have questions regarding autism treatment, education, or plans to use ABA therapy, we are here for you! Our goal is to make sure no family is turned away due to financial constraints. Our therapy team would love to talk to you. Find the location closest to you and give us a call. We’re here for you.
by IABA Team | Apr 25, 2022
Shopping with children isn’t easy. From the busy environments to the constant ‘I wants’, children will always find a way to make your trip to the store more difficult. The discomfort an autistic child may feel during shopping experiences can bring some other challenges into the mix.
This article was written to give some general tips on how to make your child feel more comfortable during shopping trips. And a happy child may help mom or dad have an easier shopping experience.
Planning Your Shopping Trips
While knocking out all your shopping needs in one trip sounds nice, it may not be the best option for your child. Extended shopping trips can throw off a child’s schedule. Spreading out your shopping may allow your child to get more comfortable with the trips in general.
Sticking to the principle of shorter trips also allows parents to introduce children to different environments at different times. This can help familiarize your child with new places and activities that happen in social situations.
And be sure to keep ‘big purchase’ shopping experiences kid-free. If you are buying something that needs salespeople, paperwork, or consultation, you’ll definitely want to leave your child at home. These complicated sales can take a long time to complete and you may have to switch your focus from your child to the sale–which isn’t good for either of you!
Making Shopping Trips Easier
Just like most situations, shopping with an autistic child can be made easier by preparing for their potential discomfort. Some great things to bring on any shopping excursion include:
- Any must-have toys or objects
- Favorite snacks & drinks
- A list or other visual aid to show your child the shopping itinerary
On top of physical objects that can make shopping easier, there are also a few things you can do with your child to prepare. Be sure to talk to your child’s therapist about these practices to make sure they are in line with their program.
- Timeframe visual aids
- Picking out things at specific stores (snacks, clothes, toys, etc, depending on the store)
- Helping with the shopping (pushing a cart, holding a basket, using the credit card, etc)
- Practice behavior with potential rewards
Helping your child feel comfortable is paramount to a great shopping experience. Be sure to work with your child before any new shopping location to keep the attitudes and behaviors positive.
ABA Therapy from IABA Consultants
If you have questions regarding autism treatment, education, or plans to use ABA therapy, we are here for you! Our goal is to make sure no family is turned away due to financial constraints. Our therapy team would love to talk to you. Find the location closest to you and give us a call. We’re here for you.
by IABA Team | Apr 18, 2022
Haircuts are difficult for many young children. Adding sensory sensitivities to the equation can make haircut appointments even harder. This is why we want to talk about haircuts for autistic children and what can be done to make appointments easier.
This article is a continuation of the topics from the last two weeks (Dental Visit Tips for Children with Autism | Doctor Visit Tips for Children with Autism). These are important topics, as getting your child comfortable with important social situations, while difficult, is necessary.
Finding an Autism-Friendly Hair Stylist
There aren’t many comprehensive autism-friendly hairstylists or salon lists available on the internet. This doesn’t mean you’re out of luck when it comes to searching for a great place to get a haircut, however.
Some beauty professionals list autism-friendly on their websites. This makes using search engines to find them very easy. Use search terms like ‘autism haircut near me’ or ‘autism-friendly hair stylist’ to start your search.
If you are comfortable with addressing the sensory sensitivities your child has that may arise during a haircut appointment, be sure to ask about or make requests beforehand.
- No electric clippers, blowdryers, water, shampoo, etc.
- Any specific touching or holding of the hair
- Scheduling an appointment at a less busy time
Talking to your child’s therapist before a haircut may also be a big help in jogging your memory for things that may help.
Preparing for a Professional Haircut
Before an appointment with the hairdresser, there are a few steps you can take to ease your child into feeling more comfortable about the appointment.
- Take a few trips to the salon before the appointment to acquaint your child with the environment
- Practice with brushes and combs while your child is seated at home
- Make sure to note any sensory issues that could arise: noise from electric clippers and blow dryers, hair touching, using water, etc
- Make sure your child has toys or objects they can have during the haircut
ABA Therapy from IABA Consultants
If you have questions regarding autism treatment, education, or plans to use ABA therapy, we are here for you! Our goal is to make sure no family is turned away due to financial constraints. Our therapy team would love to talk to you. Find the location closest to you and give us a call. We’re here for you.
