Autism: What to Know and Signs to Watch For, Early Signs of Autism, Main signs of autism​​ and Common signs of autism, Parenting Children with Special Needs, Free Printables

When you're parenting gifted or twice-exceptional kids, you often feel lost and alone -- like nobody will ever truly get what you live on a day-to-day basis. I felt that way, and it's one of the reasons I created RLL in the first place... I hoped to bring other parents of tough kids together -- and to

Hyperlexia teaching strategies for parents and educators, as well as information on what hyperlexia is

Autism & Hearing Impaired Autistic children tend to process information visually and have difficulty when skills are verbally communicated to them. Visual skill cards and tips for teaching children with disabilities can be downloaded and printed out below. These resources are also useful for children who normally wear hearing aids or have other […]

A blog about parenting kids with special needs

This post was originally posted back in 2015 on my blog and has been a popular post since that time. I worked for a decade as a family counselor and elementary school counselor before staying

It’s great that public awareness of Tourette syndrome has increased in recent years, yet a number of significant misconceptions remain. We’ve touched on some

The ability to follow directions is an important life skill to help children navigate various situations. Here are tips to teach kids and teens how to follow directions.

Great little visual for students learning how to cope with angry or fustrated feelings. #socialskills

Resources, tips, and materials to help you, help children with autism

Bullying has become a major national concern, particularly as it affects children with disabilities. Recently a study was done by Dr. Paul Law of Kennedy Krieger’s Interactive Autism Network. The...

My Tips For Helping You To Choose Homeschool Curriciulum For A Special Needs Child. I know the importance and struggle of this decision and I am here to help

Autistic children often engage in wandering behavior. These 30 tips will help you prevent your autistic child or your kid with disabilities from wandering.

Childhood regression can be a part of normal childhood development. When does child regression indicate a bigger problem and what should you do about it?

Challenges with focus and attention can become a huge roadblock to learning for kids and young adults. Simply put, attention is critical to learning. If students can't focus on the lesson, they are going to struggle with understanding the new content. If students can't focus on the directions, they

Resources, tips, and materials to help you, help children with autism

The “after school” hour can be a great time to connect with your kids. Here are 18 “After School Conversation Starters” to help you get connected.

I find language development quite fascinating. My first son started babbling at 10 months of age. He had his own language and would babble to imaginary people. It was quite...

Instructions for first-time parents about how to handle the baby.

In light of National Autism Awareness month, the College of William and Mary’s Neurodiversity Working Group hosted “Aspergian” John Elder Robison Tuesday.

What Causes Misbehavior? One of the questions I have asked myself as a mom, the question I am often asked as a therapist and the on...

Are you tired of constantly mediating conflicts between your students or children? Do you want to empower them to become independent problem solvers? Look no further than the Conflict Resolution Step-By-Step Mediation Guide for Kids! This lap book is a classroom lifesaver, providing students with the tools they need to resolve conflicts on their own. Not only will students love how hands-on and fun this activity is, it helps them practice all the key conflict resolution skills for problem solving. Plus, it helps students regulate their emotions when triggered by frustrating social interactions. Teachers can use it as a classroom management tool or for individual interventions with students who need additional support with conflict resolution skills. How Our Step-By-Step Conflict Resolution Guide Works: Choose a coping tool to get calm first. The calming strategies include Hand Over Heart, Cocoa Breathing, Count to 20, Roller Coaster Breathing, Rocks & Socks, and Ocean Waves Breathing, all with strong visual supports and directions. Reflect on the size of the problem.  If it is a big problem, get an adult to help! But if it's something you can handle on your own.... Choose a conflict resolution tool...and give it a try.   If using an I-Message, kids can use the hands-on template on the back of the lap book to formulate the statement.   After trying out the conflict resolution strategy, reflect on whether or not it helped.  If not, don't worry - the lap book also includes prompts to suggest trying another skill.  Ways to Use The Conflict Resolution Guide for Kids is versatile and can be used in a variety of settings including: your classroom school counseling office peer mediations at recess for when students are trying to figure out how to resolve a conflict Calm Down Corner or Break Space virtual teletherapy counseling sessions at home to deal with sibling conflicts WHAT'S INCLUDED Digital: ✔ Interactive digital Choice Board for Google Classroom or other platform that uses Google Slides™ Printable ✔ Choice between full color, light color and black/white printing options ✔ Title Choices between "Conflict Resolution" and "Peaceful Problem Solving" (which can work well for students unfamiliar with the term "conflict resolution) ✔ Bonus "To Resolve A Conflict, I Can....?" Posters (in 3 printing options and optimized to print in both 8.5"X11" and 18"X24"). ✔ Bonus Conflict Resolution Checklists ✔ Bonus "Conflict Resolution Map" printable What's Needed to Assemble Printable Choice Board: ✓ Hook and Loop Adhesive Dots ✓ Paper Clips, Binder Clips, and/or Clothespins ✓ File Folder You May Also Enjoy these others : ⭐ Feelings Check-In and Calming Strategies Choice Board ⭐ Our Classroom Calm Corner Toolbox ⭐ Trauma Sensitive Classroom Rules, Values & Expectations: Editable Banner Decor ⭐ Breathing Exercises for Kids: Book & Task Cards for Calm Corner

Free parent-teacher conference forms to help guide your conversation and make sure you share everything you want and need to with parents.

Her top 5 things.

I am asked this question all the time. What about homeschool curriculum for children with special needs? It’s what I hear about most from moms considering homeschooling their children with special needs. What about curriculum? There’s just so much. I don’t even know where to start! Should it be different because of my child’s learning...

Caring for a child with FASD (fetal alcohol specturm disorder) is draining. Here are ten ways to help a child with FASD without losing your mind.

Learn how to make a calm down kit for emotional regulation in kids. Great for kids with autism, aspergers, ADHD, anxiety and other special needs.

Color in the reactions that happen to your body when you start feeling anxious. Spanish Version Included with Download (pg. 2)!  Colorea las reacciónes que tiene tu cuerpo cuando te sientes ansioso.  If you like this, you might also like Stress and My Body!

Tips for how to motivate kids with hyperlexia

Want to know the best way to teach Y as a Vowel and Y as a consonant? Get all the tools you need to teach this spelling and reading concept.

Is your Aspergers child damaging her eyes from excessive computer use? Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a condition resulting from looking at the computer screen for lengthy, uninterrupted periods of time. And as most parents have discovered, their child with Aspergers or High-Functioning Autism loves to spend countless hours looking at the computer screen. Some symptoms of CVS include: blurred vision difficulty refocusing the eyes double vision dry eyes eye strain fatigue headaches irritated eyes neck pain polyopia redness in the eyes These symptoms can be further aggravated by improper lighting conditions (e.g., glare or bright overhead lighting, etc.) or air moving past the eyes (e.g., overhead vents, direct air from a fan, etc.). As a parent of a child with Aspergers or High-Functioning Autism, you may be encouraging your youngster to use the computer. A computer is often seen as a visually stimulating aid that will improve the youngster's hand-eye coordination skills and serve as a good learning tool. But parents need to know that their youngster runs the risk of developing CVS if he is allowed unlimited access to computers and video games. Computer use places too great a visual demand on the focusing muscles of the youngster's eyes, leading to a greater incidence of myopia (short-sightedness). So, parents should be aware that too prolonged computer use can contribute to an eyesight defect that traditionally has been seen as an inherited condition. Nowadays, most kids sit in front of a computer screen at home AND at school – every day! As a result, the good distance vision they were born with is being compromised. Research is discovering that it is a youngster's learning and play environment – not heredity – that is creating the rapid increase in myopia for these children. Some important factors in preventing or reducing the symptoms of CVS have to do with the computer and how it is used. This includes lighting conditions, chair comfort, location of reference materials, position of the monitor, and the use of rest breaks. Here are some things that parents can do to lessen the impact of computer use on their youngster's eyesight: 1. An Aspergers youngster tends to lose track of time when absorbed in activities on the computer. Many parents are guilty, too, of sitting at the computer for long periods. It is more damaging for your youngster's eyes, though, to do so. Monitor the time spent sitting in front of the screen, and make sure frequent breaks are taken. 2. Chairs should be comfortably padded and conform to the body. Chair height should be adjusted so your child’s feet rest flat on the floor. If the chair has arms, they should be adjusted to provide arm support while your child is typing. Wrists shouldn't rest on the keyboard when typing. 3. We’ve looked at the impact of excessive computer use on young eyes, but it isn't just the eyes which are affected. If the workstation area where your youngster works is not ergonomically sound, then problems with the neck, shoulder and back are likely to occur. These problems can be resolved by making sure that (a) your youngster looks down slightly to view the screen from the optimal distance of eighteen inches or so, (b) the keyboard is easily reached, and (c) your youngster's feet rest comfortably on the floor. 4. If there is no way to minimize glare from light sources, consider using a screen glare filter. These filters decrease the amount of light reflected from the screen. 5. Avoid the risk of kids straining their eyes by making sure that the ambient lighting in the room is not too bright. As a rule of thumb, it should be about half that of the computer screen. So, pull down the blinds and avoid harsh lighting in the room itself. Glare from the monitor can also be a problem for young eyes, so it is wise to fit an anti-glare screen for your youngster's comfort. You should also check that there is a strong contrast between the background and the text, as well as making sure that the text size and color do not cause unnecessary eyestrain. 6. Many moms and dads do not realize that eyesight can be tested from a very early age. Every youngster should have an eye examination before starting school, but preferably by the age of three. The eye exam should be thorough, and include testing for near and distance vision. 7. Most computer junkies find it more comfortable to view a computer when the eyes are looking downward. Optimally, the computer screen should be 15 to 20 degrees below eye level (about 4 or 5 inches) as measured from the center of the screen and 20 to 28 inches from the eyes. 8. Observe your youngster's behavior closely. Even if they are experiencing problems with their vision, kids are less likely to consider it abnormal. Excessive eye rubbing, eye redness and a reluctance to use the computer as much as usual can all point to eye fatigue. 9. Position the computer screen to avoid glare, particularly from overhead lighting or windows. Use blinds or drapes on windows and replace the light bulbs in desk lamps with bulbs of lower wattage. 10. Reference materials should be located above the keyboard and below the monitor. If this is not possible, a document holder can be used beside the monitor. The goal is to position the documents so you do not need to move your head to look from the document to the screen. 11. Regular eye examinations and proper viewing habits can help to prevent or reduce the development of the symptoms associated with CVS. 12. Take your youngster to see a specialist trained to recognize the symptoms of CVS in kids. A recent study has shown that one in four kids who use computers require corrective glasses to enable them to work comfortably and safely in front of the screen. Under-developed eyes can experience the same sorts of problems as older (40+) eyes when looking from the computer screen to the keyboard and back again. In both cases, the focusing muscles tire more easily. This is because the monitor is viewed at an intermediate distance (i.e., neither near nor far), which is a distance we don't use very often. Specially-designed computer glasses compensate for this by incorporating a larger intermediate viewing zone within the lens and so alleviating the strain on the eye muscles. Eyestrain and blurring are eliminated. 13. To minimize your child’s chances of developing dry eye when using a computer, remind him to make an effort to blink frequently. Blinking keeps the front surface of your eye moist. 14. To prevent eyestrain, have your child rest his eyes when using the computer for long periods. Resting for 15 minutes after two hours of continuous computer use is a good policy. Also, for every 20 minutes of computer viewing, look into the distance for 20 seconds to allow the eyes a chance to refocus. 15. Use timers that automatically shut down the computer after the allotted time has passed for your child to be on the computer Computer vision syndrome can pose both a short and long-term risk to your youngster's eyesight. If you follow the advice above, you can be sure that you're protecting her precious asset. More resources for parents of children and teens with Asperger's and High-Functioning Autism: ==> Preventing Meltdowns and Tantrums in Asperger's Children ==> Discipline for Defiant Asperger's Teens ==> Teaching Social Skills and Emotion Management ==> Launching Adult Children with Asperger's: How to Promote Self-Reliance ==> Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism ==> AudioBook: Unraveling The Mystery Behind Asperger’s and High-Functioning Autism