Special Needs

With Halloween quickly approaching, it's time to prepare our children for a night of fun. For some, this means staying in, away from all the festive activities. If you and your child still want to celebrate outdoor, here are some tips to help them enjoy...

We often hear people say they are sad because their child has the type of autism that no one talks about. But what about all of that autism awareness? Yes, it is amazing but it does not show the true struggles of those with severe autism nor the struggles their caregivers go through...

Did you know that autism in boys is very different than autism in girls? First of all, boys are five times more likely to be diagnosed than girls. When in 1 in 59 children are diagnosed with autism that makes it a big deal...

We all know that autism is a spectrum disorder. Today, we are going to dive deeper and focus on high functioning autism. High functioning generally refers to those who can talk, read, write and handle basic life skills, such as eating and dressing themselves. Some are even able to live independently...

Do you ever wonder what life is like for your child? Do you wonder what living with autism is like? First, I want you to remember that autism is a spectrum and no two people are alike. So how people react to the world around them is very different. We also have two general types: one is the seeker and the other is known as the avoider.

Have you ever heard of ADD or ADHD and wondered what all those letters mean? Sometimes our kids' diagnosis sounds like alphabet soup. But knowing what they mean and understanding what they are honestly make it so much easier.

I remember the first time I heard SPD. I had no idea what it was and what it meant. I then learned it was short form for Sensory Processing Disorder, formerly known as Sensory Integration Disorder. But what does all that mean and how does it affect my child?

For so many of us it’s a word we have heard but do not understand until it happens to someone you know or love. I want to start by saying for everyone autism can be very different which is why it is referred to as a spectrum. It varies greatly from person to person. Even identical twins can both have autism and be exact opposites.

Do you worry about what your picky eater will eat at school? I know with Ryley this is a huge issue for us. And yes, I admit I have had many lunches come home not touched. Then one day I had that moment where everything became clear. I was making two crucial mistakes. So I am going to break down how we do it with less stress and more success.

Do you ever wonder what are the best sensory toys for children with autism? I know I do, as I only want the best for my daughter, Ryley. Before I share our favorite sensory toys, I want to discuss why they are so important.

We were always that family ready to go anywhere at any time. Then came the diagnosis, we are not able to leave our home for months because Ryley couldn’t handle sensory overload. One trip taught us we can travel again and gave us some insight into how we can make it easier.

Do you struggle to find a social activity for your child that is not a physical sport? Elliot Ness is a founder and CEO of Chess4Life, which was created to help students develop life skills through the game of chess.