livebeyondautism

Dear mom with kids  Autism and Sleep: How to Get a Child with Autism to Sleep Autism and sleep is a hot topic in the special needs community. In fact, I once read that more than 50% of children with autism struggle with sleep disturbances of some kind.  Autism and sleep patterns Most families with small children not just autism experience some form of sleep disturbances due to sleep regressions, teething, sicknesses, night terrors, and potty training. This is a fact for me Brad have difficulties falling asleep  So children on the autism spectrum, on the other hand, tend to have difficulties falling and staying asleep, and they often sleep LESS than their neurotypical peers. Feelings of anxiety, and sensory processing issues. So, how do you improve the amount and quality of your child’s sleep How to Get a Child with Autism to Sleep If autism and sleep is a challenge in your household, the first thing you want to do is try to figure out WHY. Does your child have sensory issues? Does he/s

As a mom, it can be tough to take time for yourself. You always feel like you’re behind and there’s never enough time in the day as it is. But taking some time for yourself is crucial for your own happiness   and well-being. Here are 10 helpful ways to take time for yourself as a mom without feeling guilty. When I had my kids, I remember feeling overwhelmed. I was so used to being independent and taking care of myself that it was hard to handle all the new emotions and responsibilities that came with motherhood. On top of that, I felt guilty any time I wanted to take a break or do something for myself. Mothers time and time again continue to put themselves last and their needs on the back burner. We take care of our families, our homes, our jobs, and everything else in between but when do we ever take care of ourselves? The answer is usually never. It is important to take time for yourself because it allows you to recharge and come back even more refreshed and ready to take on motherho

Halloween is a fun night of costumes and candy for kids of all ages. But for those  on the autism spectrum , scary sounds and decorations, tight or scratchy costumes and going out at night can be a lot to handle. Helping your child know what to expect from Halloween can help make it a fun time for everyone. although I don't celebrate halloween I want to make sure its safe for my son that is on the spectrum and my daughter. How To help your littler one get Halloween off to a good start help your kids learn what to expect around Halloween. You can add your own pictures and text to the story. It also includes a badge that autistic children can wear to let candy-givers know that they may communicate differently than other trick-or-treaters.   Scary decorations, places and sounds Halloween decorations can be scary. Ghosts, goblins, witches and black cats are everywhere! And they often come with bright, flashing lights and loud sounds. Even though they’re just for fun, they may be fright

 It’s true. Raising a child with autism is overwhelming, to say the least, and it’s impossible to predict how each day will unfold. Even the slightest change in routine can set your little one off, leaving you feeling as though you’re constantly walking on egg shells in an attempt to keep the peace, which is exhausting. Sometimes it feels as though no one in the entire world understands what you and your family experience on a daily basis, and other times you feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the people who go out of their way to help you. We live in a day and age where we are expected to put everyone’s needs before our own, but what we fail to realize is that there is only so long we can live in a constant state of stress and fatigue before our bodies start to breakdown and even the smallest tasks start to feel overwhelming. And when autism moms feel overwhelmed, the effects can be detrimental on the entire family. I’m serious! Your child’s success with various treatments and therap

It’s back-to-school time! Many parents look forward to this all summer long, while others absolutely dread it. Changing your child’s schedule abruptly at the beginning of a new school year can cause lots of chaos and big emotions. Children on the autism spectrum typically feel this stress much more intensely, which can lead to after school meltdowns. If your kids struggles with this, check out these great ideas to reduce the overwhelm! Why do after school meltdowns occur? How is it even possible? Your child was a perfect angel all day; their teacher said so! Now they are sobbing uncontrollably and throwing things. What happened?! How can your kid have such a great day at school, then come home and completely fall apart? So many moms struggle with this. They begin to wonder if they are a horrible parent, if the teacher is lying, or if their child despises them. The drastic change in behavior is difficult to wrap your mind around. Believe it or not, after school meltdowns are pretty norm

 Let me tell you am that one mother who doesn’t stop at nothing less when it come to my kid’s especially when it come to education. I have my annual IEP meeting today and it’s was very successful. Having a great teacher on your team is everything. It’s on point When you're looking for help for a student who struggles with a learning disability or mental health condition, you know it's important to have a plan in place to ensure your child's special needs are being met at school. That's where the Individual Education Program (IEP) meeting comes in handy Review IDEA Get familiar with the IEP meeting and process before you show up for a meeting. Every school provides a copy of your rights, so make sure you request and review a copy of the manual that was provided  Compile Your List of Questions It's easy to forget the questions you want to ask about your child's progress at school. Simplify what you need to remember by writing down all the questions you want to ask

  Planning is an important part of any family affected by autism's daily routine, but is even more important when it comes to being prepared before, during and after any type of natural disaster. The following tips to assist families with creating emergency preparedness and response plans Hurricanes and other natural disasters can be difficult for people with autism. Disney has put a lot of video and guide for families following a natural disaster Basic Preparedness Tips: Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information. Put together a disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate. If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and