Going back to school, or going to school for the first time, can be a major adjustment for a child on the autism spectrum. Attending school is a change in their routine and their environment, and puts children in social situations that may make them nervous or uncomfortable. You likely have concerns about how school will affect your child. First, you must identify if school is causing your child to be stressed or anxious. Some warning signs of stress and anxiety in children with autism include:

• A noticeable withdrawal, or a preference for too much quiet time

• Uncharacteristic aggression and acting out

• A lack of energy or increased lethargy

• Behavioral regression, such as the inability to perform a recently mastered skill or the return of a comfort behavior, such as thumb sucking

• An uptick in repetitive behaviors

• Unexplained outbursts of anger

If you notice these signs of stress, you can intervene to address them. While you certainly cannot change every aspect of your child’s school experience, you can help them handle and work through their stress or anxiety.

1. Keep your routine at home. Stick to your child’s familiar home routine and ensure that it includes adequate sleep and regular family mealtimes.
2. Provide exercise opportunities. Physical activity is a great source of stress-relief. Anxiety and stress can buildup in your child-and cause some of the warning signs referenced above-and exercise provides a much-needed release of that stress. Instead of going right to the computer or video games after school, encourage some outdoor play. That may include a walk to the local playground or a backyard game of tag.
3. Always make time for fun. Carve out time for you and your child to enjoy a fun activity together, whether it is playing a game or going to a favorite place, like a local beach or park. Time for pure play-that is not related to school or therapy-is so important for children with autism.
4. Don’t overschedule. Prioritize exercise, family time, and sleep before any extracurricular activities, particularly at the beginning of a new school routine.
5. Advocate for your child. Perhaps there is one part of the school day in particular that causes your child stress; it could be a loud classmate that makes it difficult for your child to focus on his or her schoolwork. Maybe it is a difficulty to engage with classmates on the playground at recess. If you identify certain aspects of the school day that are causing your child stress, you can advocate on their behalf. Perhaps a teacher will aid your child in joining a playgroup during recess, or relocate your child’s seat in the classroom to allow him or her to better focus on their work.

The team at Peak Potential Therapy is here to be a caring, knowledgeable resource for you and your child. Call us for expert advice and guidance.

Equine therapy, or therapeutic riding, is a popular therapy option for children with autism because of its wide range of benefits. What is the intent of therapeutic riding? Children improve posture and balance by sitting on a horse and adjusting to its unique movements and shape. As a child rides the horse and participates in a number of activities, he or she will work on skills like hand and eye coordination, spatial relations, and following directions.

Have you debated whether your child would benefit from therapeutic riding? Here’s a few reasons why the therapy can be so effective for children with autism:

• Riding a horse is calming. The experience of riding a horse involves a rhythmic motion that is slow and has a deliberate pace. For an autistic child, this motion can be relaxing and calming, putting them at ease and reducing stress.

• There’s an opportunity for an emotional bond. While verbal communication may be difficult for your child, the bond a child makes with a horse is emotional rather than nonverbal. A child learns to communicate with the horse through showing it care, whether it be through petting or hugs, or brushing their hair. This can be a wonderful experience for your child.

• Therapeutic riding engages your child’s sensory perceptions. From the soft touch of a horse’s skin or nose, or the feel of its mane, riding and engaging with horses provides a number of different tactile sensory experiences.

• Equine therapy advances cognitive and language skills development. As a child learns to care for and ride a horse, he practices following and comprehending directions from the instructor, as well as engaging with peers.

• Therapeutic riding is fun! Many children experience a sense of joy and personal satisfaction from riding and engaging with a horse, as well as interacting with the counselors and peers with them during therapy.

If you would like to learn more about equine therapy and whether it would be beneficial for your child, contact the team at Peak Potential Therapy. To learn more about equine assisted activities in the Greater Cleveland area, check out the Therapeutic Riding Program offered at Rocky River Stables.

While continuing to enjoy summertime with your child, it is never too early to begin preparing for your son or daughter’s adjustment to going back to school. It can be very difficult to transition your child from a more relaxed summer schedule to a more disciplined school schedule – often requiring earlier wake up times and bed times, as well as more regulated breakfast and lunch times. However, there are certain steps you can take during the summer to ease the ‘Back to School’ transition for your child.

1. Talk about school often. To avoid the conversation of going back to school taking your child by surprise in early August, start the conversation early. Talk about school: where it is located, the teacher’s name, activities the child will enjoy, favorite subjects, and so on.

2. Visit school. Take your child to the school to visit several times, if possible. This will help your child become familiar with the environment, so it will not seem as strange and stressful come the first day of school. Consider taking several photographs during the visit to create a photobook you can use at home when you talk about school.

3. Meet with your child’s teacher. Even though your teacher has your child’s IEP, or Individualized Education Plan, he or she may not understand the unique nuances of your child. Take the time to humanize your child, sharing unique behaviors and effective sensory therapies as well as any known triggers or strong dislikes. This will help your child’s teacher get to know your son or daughter as a unique individual, rather than simply through what they’ve gathered from the IEP.
4. Practice and rehearse conversation starters for your child to use with peers. Try to find an interest that your child can use when he introduces himself to a peer. For example, if your child loves to draw or play basketball, he could use that subject as a bridge to talk to a classmate. Continue to practice these conversations throughout the summer.

3. Begin adjusting your child’s daily schedule to resemble his school schedule. Every week, move up your child’€™s wake-up time in small, 15-minute increments until you reach school wake-up time. As you adjust the morning wakeup, also adjust bedtime to ensure your child continues to get at least 8 hours of sleep or more, depending on his or her age. Also mimic your child’s school-year schedule for eating breakfast and lunch. If your child has adequate time to adjust to the school-year routine, the official transition back to school will not be as jarring.

As you prepare for your child’s back-to-school transition, feel free to contact the team at Peak Potential Therapy for caring guidance and expert advice.

This summer, give your child plenty of opportunities for active play! Playing promotes social skills, is a form of stress relief, and encourages imagination and discovery. When you find yourself struggling for new ideas for active play, particularly outdoors, consider these ideas rather than allowing your child more time on an electronic device or watching television. We guarantee that both you and your child will enjoy it!

On a hot summer day, playing with water can be a special treat. If you cannot make a trip to a local pool or waterpark, create an area for water fun in your own backyard. Fill a small pool with water, or set up a garden sprinkler. If your child dislikes playing in water, consider playing with the garden hose. You can teach your child how pressing a finger over the hose nozzle changes the spray of water. There are endless opportunities to use water in active play.

Create an opportunity for sensory play. It does not take much to give your child a wonderful opportunity for sensory play. For example, spray the surface of a picnic table or play table with shaving cream. Children can smear the cream and shape it.  Or, fill a bucket with dry rice and let your child reach their hand into the bucket to feel the grains of rice. Many objects and items you have around your home can be used to create a fun sensory play experience.

Play in the sand. In Northeast Ohio, we have the luxury of driving a short distance to Fairport Harbor, Headwaters Beach, and others along Lake Erie. Pack a shovel and bucket and explore the coastline. Children can collect shells or rocks, or build and dig in the sand. If you do not have access to a beach, you could also buy or build a sandbox in your backyard.

Swing! Swinging has been proven to have therapeutic benefits, as well as helps with your child’s development. For example, swinging helps your child develop upper body strength and learn posture control. If you would prefer to avoid a crowd, visit your local neighborhood park in the early morning.

Play Hide and Seek. This classic game is not only fun, but promotes physical activity. While a friend or family member hides, you can help guide your child in “seeking” them. This game also helps your child practice taking turns.

For more ideas for active play this summer, contact the team at Peak Potential Therapy. We offer a variety of summer camps for children of all ages with special needs.

What will your child be doing this summer? Consider giving your child the opportunity to learn and grow at one of the therapeutic and recreational summer camps offered by Peak Potential Therapy! While there are many reasons to give your child a summer camp experience, here are our top 5:

1. Promote your child’s social skills. During summer camp, your children will be with their peers throughout the day. This provides opportunities for them to practice essential skills like communicating, sharing, and working together as a team.
2. Challenge your child to try new things. Camp is the ideal environment for children to expand their comfort zone with a variety of different, new activities. They will be in the safe presence of caring camp counselors, which will give them confidence and security.
3. Teach your children basic life skills. From decision making to leadership to respect, camp is the setting for your child to learn basic daily living skills that will be very important as they grow. Summer camp gives children real-life scenarios in which they can practice these skills.
4. Promote your child’s independence. Many special needs children are very attached to their parents and guardians. Camp allows them to begin to become independent. While they will have the full attention and support of the camp staff and counselors, they will still learn to do certain things on their own. This independence is a boost to their self-confidence.
5. Provide your child with endless opportunities for fun! Above all, summer camp is good, plain fun! That is what summer is about, after all. During Peak Potential Therapy summer camps, children visit waterparks, the Cleveland Zoo, go bowling, and more! While they will learn and develop essential skills, they will also be having a wonderful time.

Interested in learning more about the summer camps offered by Peak Potential Therapy? Call today for details.

Day camp is a wonderful way for children with autism to have a productive summer—while also having fun! During summer camps, your child will be able to interact with their peers, building and strengthening social skills and engaging in extracurricular activities. There are several steps you can take to prepare your child to have a positive summer camp experience.

Introduce your child to peer interactions. If your child is hesitant to participate in social experiences with his or her peers, arriving at camp may be overwhelming. It is important to ease your child into peer situations by attending activities such as a library store time or a small play group. This gives your child an opportunity to practice interacting with peers.

Visit a playground. A playground is an ideal place to practice active play, as well as essential skills such as waiting for a turn to use a swing or go down a slide.

Take your child to a swimming pool. Summer camp will often include water-based recreational activities, from swimming to playing at a water table. It is a good idea to help your child get used to being around water. You may also consider whether your child would benefit from swimming lessons.

Talk to your child about expected behavior during summer camp. Role play expected behaviors for sharing, taking turns, and following directions. This will help prepare your child for the expectations of their behavior when they are at camp.

Help your child set goals for summer camp. Talk to your child regularly about their upcoming camp experience and help them identify small goals to accomplish while they are there, such as trying a new activity or making a friend.

Peak Potential Therapy offers several summer camp opportunities for your child.

• Camp A. B. C. is designed for children ages 3 to 5 who need extra help with developing skills such as playing, peer relationships, and communicating in a social setting.

• Camp Suntastic, designed for children ages 9 to 13, is a fun way for children to practice social skills while having fun with peers.

• S.M.I.L.E. Summer Camp is directed by a speech-language therapist and focuses on social skills, communication, and emotional regulation.

If you have questions about whether your child would benefit from summer camp, or you are interested in any of the summer camps offered by Peak Potential Therapy, call today. We will help you identify the right opportunity for your child.

A recent study conducted by the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry surveyed more than 300 families about their children’s development. The study revealed that a majority of surveyed parents reported concerns regarding their child’s behavior before their child was one year old, much earlier than clinicians are able to make the same observations. Those concerns noted by parents predicted a future autism diagnosis.

Knowing the signs of autism is important. If you know the signs, you will be able to identify them in your child’s behavior. Some parents are able to note problems with their child’s sensory and motor skills as young as 6 months of age, and concerns with their child’s language and social skills at 12 to 15 months of age. While every child’s development is unique, Autism Speaks notes some early potential signs of autism, including:

• Your child is not babbling by 12 months of age.
• Your child is not saying any words by 16 months of age.
• Your child is not smiling or making facial expressions by 9 months of age.
• Your child loses their speech skills, including babbling, at any age.

Parents can see differences in their child’s behavior much earlier than others. As a parent, you are most attuned to your children’s behavior and development. Your observations are critical. It is natural to be worried about your child, but hesitant to ask for help. However, if you feel your child’s development is not appropriate for his or her age, schedule an assessment sooner rather than later.

Take concerns seriously rather than adopting a “wait and see” approach. Waiting to see if your child’s behavior develops, or if they will grow out of certain behaviors, could sacrifice time that could have been devoted to early autism intervention. The longer you wait, the more difficult it can be to help your child. Early intervention to address developmental difficulties is absolutely key..

Do you have concerns about whether your child is on the autism spectrum? Call the team at Peak Potential Therapy. We offer caring guidance and support for your child.

Scientists have long studied the potential link between autism and bacteria. This research is again in national headlines because of emerging evidence that studying “gut bacteria,” the bacteria that is found in our digestive tracts, can predict future disease or health issues including neurological disorders such as autism.

Our digestive tracts contain millions of single-cell organisms called microbes. This gut bacteria is important and beneficial to our bodies. It helps protect us against harmful bacteria, produces vitamins, and aids in our digestion of food. However, over hundreds of years, scientists believe the balance of microbes in our digestive tracts has been altered by changes in our society, such as the growing use of antibiotics and disinfectants.

An altered balance of microbes in the digestive tract could create harmful compounds that cause damage to the body and the brain. At a recent Nobel forum, a group of scientists associated changes in gut bacteria with the development of diseases such as some cancers and obesity, as well as neurodevelopmental conditions including autism and other disorders.

A previous study conducted by researchers at Arizona State University analyzed the bacterial waste products in stool samples from a group of children with autism. When they compared the samples from autistic children to those from children not on the autism spectrum, they found the autistic children had abnormal concentrations of digestive bacteria. Some studies connect these abnormal bacteria concentrations with the symptoms of autism.

Researchers believe that by continuing to explore the link between autism and gut bacteria, they can determine more effective treatments for the symptoms of autism and other neurological disorders.

For more information about autism, contact the team at Peak Potential Therapy. We provide caring, on-site therapies and expert advice.

During the spring, schools will begin to establish Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students with special needs. An IEP is a plan with long-term goals and objectives that is designed to help your special needs child receive an effective, high-quality education. If you will soon be determining an IEP for your child, you can expect to meet with a team of school officials, teachers, and therapists to discuss your son or daughter’s unique behavioral and educational goals.

Once the IEP is set, you may have valid concerns about whether the plan is being followed by the school and if your child is demonstrating signs of progress. To ease your worries, there are several proactive steps you can take.

• Ask the right questions. During the initial meeting, take advantage of the undivided time and attention of your child’s teachers and therapists. Make sure to ask specific questions about how your child’s progress will be measured, monitored and documented.

• Set up a communications plan. While you may have a clear idea of how your child’s progress will be tracked, you may not know how, and how often, that information will be communicated. To help ease your anxieties, set up a defined communications plan from the beginning. You will be more at ease if you know when to expect regular updates on your child’s progress.

• Establish an open and honest dialogue with your child’s teacher. While you may feel hesitant to request time with your child’s teacher, remember that you are your child’s biggest advocate. Keeping the lines of communication with the teacher open will help you monitor your child’s progress. Consider requesting a phone call or meeting with the teacher in advance so that he or she has time to prepare.

• When in doubt, ask for clarification. If you feel that updates on your child’s progress are not specific or accurate, do not hesitate to ask questions. Parents of a student on an IEP are entitled to see data-driven information regarding their child’s progress. If you need additional clarification, request a meeting with your child’s teacher.

• Consider the need for an Extended School Year (ESY) early in the school year. An Extended School Year includes services that are provided to your child during the regular year, such as language, occupational, and speech therapy, vocational programs, life skills, and tutoring. For your child to qualify for ESY, the school must agree that your child would regress without the continuity of services through the summer. If you plan to advocate for an ESY, plan early and be prepared with evidence of regression during school year breaks.

If you have questions about whether an IEP may benefit your child, contact Peak Potential Therapy. We can help you plan for and navigate the IEP process.

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. This may seem daunting, but there are steps you can take to have a positive experience.

Talk about the trip. Tell your child about the upcoming trip well in advance. Walk through each step in detail, from waiting in the security line to finding your seat on the airplane. Consider playing a game of “airplane” with your child, helping to familiarize them with common questions asked by flight attendants.

Bring comfort items. Think of which items most sooth your child during times of particularly high stress. These could include a favorite book or DVD, a beloved stuffed animal, or noise-cancelling headphones. Having these items on hand will help you offer comfort to your child during the flight.

Remember to pack food. Airlines rarely provide an in-flight meal, even on longer flights. Have a supply of your child’s favorite foods or snacks on hand. This will also add some normalcy to the experience.

Request an early boarding pass. On the day of the flight, consider requesting an early boarding pass, allowing you time to get your child settled in a seat before the majority of passengers enter the plane. If you board the plane early, you will also avoid waiting in a long line to claim your seats.

Ask for help. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offers a help line for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions. You can call the hotline at 1-855-787-2227 to speak with a representative about any questions you have regarding the security screening process at your airport. At many locations, you can request an on-site Passenger Support Specialist to help you and your child through the process.

Call Peak Potential Therapy for more advice on how to create a positive air travel experience for your child. We’re here to help!