Blog

While air travel during spring break can be a stressful experience for any traveler, the experience can be particularly overwhelming for a special needs child. If your child will soon be taking his or her first flight, you will need to prepare for the challenges of a crowded, noisy airport and an unfamiliar plane ride. […]

Recent news stories have highlighted the positive effects that a pet can have on the behavioral development of children affected by autism. Keeping in mind that research on this topic is still new and often debated, some studies have shown that introducing a pet, such as a dog or rabbit, to a special needs child […]

Some of the research done on autism may now help brain cancer researchers and patients.  Scientists believe that an elevated protein called NHE9, present in cases of autism, is now part of the problem in some of the most aggressive brain cancers, glioblastomas. In the human brain, the speed at which information is transmitted and […]

Parents can make an enormous difference for their kids when it comes to developing social skills.  With a little planning and some expert advice, you can see your child achieve gains in social skills and navigating social situations.  How can you help your child with these gains?  Here are some suggestions: Schedule short playtimes.  If […]

If you are the parent of a toddler, then you are probably watching your child carefully for developmental markers.  While each child hits their milestones at a different rate, if you believe there is something preventing your toddler from advancing, then you might be concerned about autism. There are signs of autism that can emerge […]

Many first time parents are concerned about their child’s ability to talk.  Luckily, there has been a lot of research completed that has identified landmarks that can be used to see where your child’s speech development falls on the spectrum.  Here are just a few major speech milestones that are commonly accepted: Babies less than […]

Are you ready for the holidays?  Do your plans include traveling to another city with your family and your special needs child?  If so, there are many things that you can do to ensure that your vacation goes as smoothly as possible. Traveling with a special needs child requires a bit more preparation than would […]

The holidays are supposed to be a wonderful time of the year, filled with friends, family and fun things to do.  Unfortunately, many families get stressed during holidays with all of the extra things that need to be completed.  From decorating to buying gifts, the pressure on families can be astounding.  Here are a few […]

Preschoolers can develop at different rates depending on their brain function and overall maturity.  Knowing if your child is developing at the rate that they should be can be a confusing and daunting issue, especially if you are concerned about their ability to speak and communicate well.  How can you know if speech therapy for […]

For kids with special needs, wandering can be a real and life threatening issue.  While they may not realize they are in danger, the proximity of a school to busy intersections, strangers and cities can pose a threat to kids that they simply aren’t aware exists.  There are ways you can prevent wandering in the […]