livebeyondautism

As I sit down to write this blog post, I'm still trying to process the mix of emotions that I've felt over the past few days. This weekend, my family and I embarked on a journey that marked a significant milestone in our lives – dropping off my daughter at college. As we said our goodbyes and watched her settle into her new dorm room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. My daughter had grown into a capable and independent young woman, ready to take on the world. But amidst all the excitement and pride, I knew that this transition wouldn't be easy for everyone in our family. My son, in particular, has been struggling to come to terms with his sister's departure. He's always been close to his sister, even though they have there differences at times and her absence has left a gaping hole in his life. As we drove back home, he was quiet and subdued, clearly missing his sister dearly. But then, something unexpected happened. As we were talki...

  GET TO KNOW YOUR AUTISTIC CHILD Connecting with an autistic child can feel like an uphill challenge, especially if the child is nonverbal or shows little interest in interacting with others. Even autistic children who are considered high functioning can seem standoffish or unwilling to form an emotional connection. The first step in opening up a relationship with an autistic child is learning about them and embracing who they are.  Understand what bothers them. Is the autistic child you’re trying to connect with hypersensitive to touch, sounds, light, tastes, smells, or colors? Any one of these sensory experiences can cause them to turn away from your efforts to form a close bond. It can even result in a meltdown. If you’re going to have a meaningful connection, you will have to create a safe space for them to express themselves. And that means enjoying time with them in an environment that doesn’t trigger an outburst or cause them to shut down.  Communicate clearly and...