10 Tips for Fun and Easy School Lunches That Fit Your Autism and ADHD Diet

School lunches can be overwhelming and difficult if you are new to the dietary changes that help ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It's not just about rethinking the standard lunch with GFCF, additive-free, allergen-free food. It's also about providing a lunch your child will enjoy!
You will most likely not have anything available for your child from the school lunch menu. It's good to make connections with the cafeteria staff and find out what items can be purchased, if any at all. With the poor quality of foods in our schools, this is not necessarily a bad thing!
Packing a lunch for your child to bring to school is probably your only option. If you provide a whole foods lunch with a variety of options, it will be packed with nutrition unlike the nutrient-void processed and packaged foods.
Here are my top 10 tips to help you think outside the brown bag:
1. To begin, brainstorm about all the foods you know your child loves to eat. What fits your new diet, what can be substituted and what needs to be replaced entirely? Create a list of favorites to fall back on when feeling stuck for good ideas. Depending on your children's ages, have them help you with ideas. The more input your older child has, the more willing they are to eat what you give them. You want to make sure they actually eat the food once they get to school!
2. Create a school lunch menu plan for the week. This is as helpful as planning your dinner menu. Once you have a few meal and snack ideas that work for your child, you can easily rotate them throughout the week. This will help with shopping lists, budgeting, time and prep work. Keep the menu handy in the kitchen just in case someone else has to step in and do the lunch packing for you.
3. Plan wisely. Make the food as ready to eat as possible and easy to handle, especially for younger children. Their lunch time is limited and we all know how they would rather be playing, so keep it simple! Pre-peel and cut fruit and don't require special tools to eat. Use easy open containers. Make sure the little ones can close it again to prevent spills on the way home. Buying in bulk and using reusable containers not only saves you lots of money, but it helps the environment, too.
4. Prepare the night before. Put together all parts of the lunch that can be done ahead of time to eliminate morning stress before school. Save the cutting of fruits and vegetables that wilt or oxidize until the morning and dip into fresh lemon juice mixed with water to prevent browning.
5. Keep it cool. Freeze fruit purees or juice overnight and add to the lunchbag in the morning. They will thaw and be ready to eat midday while keeping the other food cool and fresh. Frozen fruit puree becomes a fruit pudding and frozen juice turns into a slush or juice again depending on how long it has to thaw.
6. Get creative and think fun! It is amazing what special shape cutouts, skewers and/or party toothpicks will do for appeal. Instead of just putting cut fruit into a bowl, make a fruit kabob. Depending on age, include stickers, a personal note from Mom or Dad, or (if using a brown paper bag) have them decorate the bag as a puppet before filling it. Once the food is gone, they can play! For older kids, occasionally start a treasure hunt where you send them looking for the next clues somewhere in their school supplies or at home for a reward, special treat (not food related) or privilege.
7. Talk to your child's teacher. Be sure the teacher, principal and any other staff who may care for your child are all aware of your child's dietary requirements. Let them know that your child has food allergies or sensitivities. Communication is key to dietary success at school and written instructions are always the best resource to prevent misunderstandings.
8. Focus on what your child DOES get to eat, not what he doesn't. Have your child bring home the leftovers in their lunch containers so that you can tell what is being eaten. You'll get to know how much you need to be sending each day and whether the usual favorites are still well-liked. Offer variety and choices so your child doesn't feel like the new diet is limited and boring.
9. Substitute creatively. Use rice cakes or GFCF waffles instead of bread, or better yet, use sliced, cored apple rings as a substitute for a bagel with a nut butter spread. Warm dinner leftovers in a thermos can be given on a day with a similar offering provided by the cafeteria. Have them provide a clean plate for your child to use.
10. Finally, some meal/snack ideas to get going:

• Trail mix (nuts, seeds, dried fruits)
• Pre-cut fruit (fruit salad, sticks, or kebabs)
• Homemade granola bars or cups of granola cereal
• Veggie kebabs with dip (carrots, cucumber, cherry tomato, red/yellow bell pepper, etc)
• Dinner leftovers in a thermos (GFCF spaghetti, soup, rice dish)
• Guacamole, mild salsa, olives, and baked corn chips
• Dip options: hummus, black bean dip, avocado spread, nut butters, honey
• Shredded beet, carrot, and apple salad with raisins.
• Fruit pudding or smoothie
• Water should be the drink of choice, but for variety try homemade lemonade or an almond or rice milk

This should be a springboard for getting your creativity flowing and thinking positively about the school year menu ahead. It's easy once you get past the transition and create a simple routine.

If you're a parent of a child with ADHD, ASD and other special needs and are looking for natural methods to help your family, visit Stephani McGirr's http://www.NourishingJourney.com to receive a free twice monthly ezine full of tips, tools and recipes to help you move from struggle to success while creating a peaceful home life your family loves.

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Tips on Surviving Society With an Autistic Child

Peoples Perceptions:
Most people are ignorant of the troubles of childhood Autism. I suppose it's not their fault, they just don't understand what Autism is, and this can bring up some hurtful times for the parents, carers and guardians of an autistic child.
It's a sad fact to face but most parents, carers and guardians feel is that their autistic child just doesn't fit into society, and that's because of the total lack of understanding about child autism on both sides of the fence.
But believe me; being frustrated and confused is not the answer. The information contained within this article is going to help you overcome these awkward situations and save you from the upset and loneliness associated with surviving society with an Autistic child.
I have come in contact with this situation many times in my life, and have heard from many other parents/guardians of an autistic child that have been suffering with this needless burden.
It's hard work leaving the house with an autistic child, always feeling trapped by what might happen and wondering how long it will take before people start to talk about them.
But all problems are there for solving. You as a carer of an autistic child don't need to feel like this anymore, just like me, I don't let these problems affect me and my family anymore, and our life has changed for the better.
The Solution:
As you well know, an autistic child is on a whole different plain than a child without autism. You most likely have wracked your brain trying to figure out the best approach to use to get the most from every situation.
For surviving society with an autistic child the solution is very simple.
1. You must first understand exactly what makes your autistic child tick, this is of utmost importance.
2. You must know how your Autistic child acts to certain things in society, and why they are doing this
3. And also you must know how to get them to do certain things on a constant and regular basis, thus creating a pattern for them to follow.

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation's Tips for Families Affected By Autism

The autism rate in the U.S. is at an all-time high, now affecting 1 in 88 children according to the Centers for Disease Control. That's a 78 percent increase since 2002 when 1 in 156 children were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
This increase has impacted more than just the children living with autism. The entire family is affected by the physical, emotional, social, and financial challenges of raising a child with an autism spectrum disorder. Parenting is stressful and often becomes even more taxing when caring for a child with special needs.
As a parent of a child with autism, you should remember that you're not alone and that there are many resources like the Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation available to help provide assistance in your community. But first and foremost, you need to take care of yourself. After all, how can you be an effective caregiver for others if you don't look after yourself as well?
You can't. And you shouldn't feel guilty about it! If you're a parent facing the challenges of autism in your family, take a few moments to reflect on the following tips which will hopefully help recharge your batteries and provide some perspective that you may need right now:
• Don't ignore your feelings. Talk about them with your spouse and other parents facing similar challenges. It's okay to have conflicting emotions-from feeling helpless to anger to guilt to depression to confusion to relief to gratefulness and a thousand other emotions-you are entitled to experience and accept all of your feelings.
• Take time out for one-on-one time with your spouse. Whether it's going for a walk, sharing a bottle of wine, or watching a movie, be careful not to let autism consume every waking moment of your life.
• Get involved with the autism community. Organizations like the Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation and other support groups can help be a lifeline. Make friends with other parents who have children with autism. You may be surprised by the shared challenges, emotions, and gratitude you share with them. Getting involved with autism activism is also empowering, so you will be doing something productive and proactive for yourself and your child with autism.
• Acknowledge and appreciate the small victories your child achieves. It's easy to focus on the problems, but far more rewarding to celebrate developmental milestones.
• Be the best advocate of autism that you can be. Stay informed on all of the latest news, education, treatment, and services in your community. Visit the Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation's website to stay in touch with the ongoing developments and support within the growing autism community.
Above all, remember that contact with other parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder will decrease feelings of isolation, improve your mood and overall outlook, and increase understanding and acceptance of autism. Both you and your child deserve nothing but the best and the autism community has welcoming arms.
Learn more about autism and support by visiting Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation's website at http://www.AutismSpectrumDisorderFoundation.org or calling 877.806.0635.

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (myASDF) is a charity that supports children with autism spectrum disorders by providing education, information, and financial assistance to their families and relevant community service organizations. Funds donated to the Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation are used to address any and all kinds of issues in assisting children with autism and their families. Visit http://www.autismspectrumdisorderfoundation.org, email myASDF@yahoo.com, or call 877.806.0635 for more information and to see how you can help.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Slutsky

Linking Diet and Autism

It's no surprise that the numbers on obesity are exploding in this country with nearly 60% of the country heading that direction, and half of those people already being considered obese.
There is one other number that is also on the rise in this country as well, and that is Autism.
Autism is a disorder that affects the development of social and communication skills in children younger than 3. The causes are linked to biology, but not experts are unable to pinpoint the exact cause of this growing problem.
They speculate that the causes might be diet, digestive tract changes, mercury poisoning, the body's inability to use vitamins correctly, and vaccine sensitivity are all possibilities when it comes to this disease.
It has always been a problem, but in recent years that problem is starting to grow. Today, it is estimated that 1 out of every 88 people has Autism, that number up from the 1 in 252 people only a few years ago.
Autism much like obesity is a growing problem, and at the rate that each of them seem to grow it would appear that they are tied together, and the experts have already begun trying to directly link the two of them together.
Is there a link between diet and Autism?
If we take a step back and look at some foods that create other problems in the digestive tract we might be able to narrow the gap on the research.
One food group that already creates problems in the digestive tract is breads and grains. Breads and grains, more commonly gluten, is difficult to digest for those with Celiac disease- a disease that destroys the hair-like follicles in the small intestine that interfere with the absorption of nutrients.
Breads and grains are also very highly inflammatory causing joint pain throughout the body, but that inflammation starts in the digestive tract. That inflammation can also happen in the brain decreasing brain function opening you up to potentially larger problems.
One other food group that some people have a difficult time digesting is dairy. Lactose intolerance is also not uncommon today as well. Lactose is a sugar that is commonly found in dairy products, and those suffering from lactose intolerance don't create an enzyme in the digestive tract that helps break down that sugar. Symptoms of this usually shows itself with abdominal cramps, gas, and bloating.
The case can still be made that there is a direct link between autism and diet. All three of those diseases have ties to the abdominal tract and what flows through there.
Whatever the cause may be, it seems that everything can be tied directly to the diet no matter how poor or how good it may be. It all just proves the line "you are what you eat."
If you found this article inspiring then head over to Eating To Lose and check out the free information on dieting, nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle as it relates to your weight loss goals.

Check out http://www.eatingtolose.com for more free information daily about the foods you should be eating to lose weight, new workouts to try, and some lifestyle changes you can make to help promote your weight loss

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Top Tips to Relieve Your Autism Diet Worries Today

Autism diet recommendations can be many and varied. Some experts will suggest gluten-free and casein-free diets. Gluten is a substance found in breads and other grains and casein appears in milk and dairy products. The belief is that some people with autism have trouble digesting such substances, resulting in a decreased, foggy state of consciousness.
Other autism diet suggestions include cutting out yeast and sugars, and concentrating on consuming larger quantities of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Each of these theories have solid research to back them up, but while adults may be able to make dietary decisions for their children, it is not always as easily applied as they may wish.
Kids are still kids whether they have autism or not! They have individual tastes, and will prefer some foods to others. It is not always easy to remove the foods that they enjoy, and introduce those that don't typically appeal.
So the following are practical tips for parents who are aiming to introduce a healthy autism diet.
Turn it into finger food. Some small children can be more likely to eat something when they know what's in it, and often enjoy vegetables raw rather than cooked. A healthy diet should include generous servings of vegetables in at least two meals a day so try slicing up a selection of vegetables like carrots, broccoli and sweet red pepper into little sticks and serve them plain or with a dip for dunking.
Offer berries. Almost all types of berries are nutritious and rich in antioxidants so keep strawberries, blueberries, raspberries - and any other berries that you can find and that your child enjoys - on hand for snacks. They can satisfy a sweet tooth and don't break the rules of most autism diets.
Sugar-free sweetening. You can still give your kids sweet things without loading them down with sugar. Stevia can be an effective solution for this problem. Readily available in health food stores, Stevia is a South American herb that's sweeter than sugar and is an excellent alternative, as long as it is used in moderation. In most autism diets, other sweetening agents - sugar, honey, molasses, maple syrup, jelly etc - should be kept to an absolute minimum. Stevia can be used in many of a child's favorite recipes such as in lemonade and cookies.
Use supplements. If you are worried that your child's diet isn't giving them all the nutrition they need, speak to your doctor or naturopath about supplements. When kids are off dairy products, they may need calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D. Enzyme supplements can help aid digestion. And there are a host of other beneficial supplements from fish oil to amino acids, Vitamin B12 to calcium, magnesium and zinc. Many come in child-friendly chewable forms but always check with a health expert first, as many of these chewable vitamins come with a high dose of sugar.
As with any dietary change, make certain that any decisions made are discussed with a qualified doctor, first.

Grab your free copy of Rachel Evans' brand new Autism Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you and your family find out about Autism Diet options and for information on where to go for autism resources please visit The Essential Guide To Autism

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachel_Evans

How To Determine The Best Autism For Your Special Needs Child

In this article I am going to tell you how to determine the best autism treatment for your special needs child. The reason I am going to tell you this is because each autistic child is unique and has different strengths and weaknesses so there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to determining the best autism treatment for your special needs child.
In this article I am going to teach you the questions you need to ask first to determine the best autistic treatment for your child the types of autism treatment for special needs children, and how to determine the most appropriate autism treatment tailored to meeting your child's needs.
When considering an autism treatment, it is important to ask yourself the following questions which will help point you in the right direction.
1. What are my child's strengths and weaknesses?
2. What is the main concern I have that I want to address for my child?
3. What is the main skill I want my child to have, that they are lacking at present?
4. What activity does my child like that could possibly be incorporated into a treatment?
When you can answer all these questions you will then be in a better position to look at an autism treatment that best suits your child.
The types of autism treatment available include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), verbal behavior intervention, Gluten Free (GF), Casein Free Diet (CF), occupational therapy (OT), Sensory Integration Therapy, Relationship Development Intervention, Speech therapy, PECS, TEACCH, and Floortime.
Some of the above therapies address behavioural issues, developing social skills and communication. Other therapies are for sensory issues, motor skills development, emotional problems and dealing with food intolerances/sensitivities.
To select the best autism treatment for your child, you need to do your research and ask questions of the specialists working in this field. The program you select needs to address what is covered in the numbered bullet points above.
Try to observe a therapy taking place even if it's a video presentation, talk to other parents of special needs children, and ask how the treatment is structured and how progress is measured.
See if this program meets the needs identified for your child and ask for an estimated timescale for achievable targets and objectives. You need to be confident that the therapy selected will fit in with your child's needs and abilities work with their strengths and develop areas in which they are week.
Do not be afraid to ask for feedback and regular progress reports so you can gauge how your child is responding to the autism treatment. This way you can assess whether a different treatment needs to be sourced.

If you would like to know more about being the best parent you can be for your special needs child, download my free guide "Care for the Carer-A Short Guide To Parenting Special Needs Children" at http://www.parenting4specialneeds.com

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Seven Tips for Selecting an Asperger's Syndrome Therapist

It can often be helpful for those with Asperger's syndrome or high-functioning autism to have a respected and knowledgeable therapist to help them process their emotions and understand more social nuances, among other things. People with Asperger's syndrome often have trouble understanding the world around them, and as a result often carry around a lot of frustration. They might have resentment from ways they were treated in the past that they don't understand. But what kind of psychotherapist would be most effective for someone with Asperger's syndrome or high functioning autism?
There are many different types of therapists out there. Many believe that the best therapists tend to be the ones who don't subscribe to any particular theory, but instead use a variety of therapies depending on what they think will help each individual client.
Seek Empathy and a Connection in a Therapist for Asperger's Syndrome
You don't want a therapist that makes you feel like you're talking to a wall and never gives you much of a response to anything. You don't want a therapist whose only contribution is to say "And how does that make you feel?" occasionally. While it's not bad to help you try to get to your emotions, they need to help teach you how to deal with the emotions, too. It's too easy for some therapists to just sit back and do nothing. Most children, teenagers and adults with autism need to be taught and given tips on how to process feelings and improve their communication. Seek a therapist who has this approach.
Top 7 Criteria for a Therapist for treating Asperger's Syndrome and High Functioning Autism
1. Engagement - You do want a therapist who is as engaged with you as possible.
They are asking questions, they are listening to your answers and showing they are listening (perhaps by repeating what you have said or some sort of verbal clue), and they are asking intelligent follow-up questions. Most children, teenagers and adults with Asperger's syndrome need to be constantly engaged in a social interaction in order to stay attentive and interested in what's going on.
2. Experience - It helps if the therapist has an intimate knowledge of Asperger's syndrome.
There are too many therapists who, knowing little or nothing about Asperger's, will attribute your social problems or anxiety to everything but what is really causing it. That's not helpful. In fact, it's a waste of your time. They will also fail to understand when you talk about how you see the world, because in all likelihood, they haven't spent a lot of time looking at the world in that way.
Now, this is not to say that all therapists without experience with Asperger's syndrome patients are ineffective, but they have to be willing to learn. And sometimes, you have to be willing to teach them. Don't stick with anyone who refuses to open their mind to your way of thinking.
3. A therapist treating Asperger's should have high affect/be able to show emotions well.
Most people with Asperger's have trouble reading nonverbal language. So, it only follows that a therapist that uses mostly nonverbal language to communicate is really NOT going to work for a person with Asperger's syndrome.
Most people with Asperger's want one thing -- to be understood. Now, a therapist likely thinks he or she understandings what the person with Asperger's syndrome is saying. But unless the therapist SHOWS it frustration may result.
A good therapist will communicate using exaggerated emotion in his or her voice and face, and by using verbal language such as "I see what you mean" and "You're saying that you feel like X". Unless a therapist uses these active communication methods, most children, teenagers and adults with Asperger's syndrome or high functioning autism will just sit there thinking that the therapist is yet another person who has no clue what their life and struggles are like.
In other words, don't bring your loved one to see a stone faced therapist who never cracks a smile, no matter how smart they are reputed to be. People with Asperger's syndrome want someone who understands what they are going through -- most people in their life won't.
4. The Asperger's syndrome therapist should be able to give advice or suggestions in a very concrete way.
Ideas presented should be short and to the point. They should be as blunt as possible. Nothing ever gets accomplished for a person with Asperger's syndrome or high functioning autism if the therapist is "beating around the bush". A good therapist treating a child with Asperger's syndrome can use visuals if necessary. Humor may help to break the ice. Above all, the therapist needs to be genuine. And no therapist treating a person with Asperger's syndrome should hide behind psychological terms. The therapist must ensure that the person with Asperger's syndrome is able to relate to them.
5. Physical environment of the therapist's office is important.
The physical environment is very important. The seats should be comfortable, the lights not too bright or dim, and there should be no aromatherapy or noticeable scents, as many with Asperger's syndrome and high functioning autism are sensitive to that. The receptionist, if there is one, should be friendly and helpful, as they are the first contact you have upon entering the office. There should be no blaring music. It should not be too difficult to get there. A stressful journey by bus or car will make it harder to get a person with Asperger's syndrome into an open state of mind upon arrival. This is not always possible, but it's one point to consider.
6. Patients should be able to feel some sense of connection or comfort with the therapist.
This goes for everyone seeking therapy, not just those with Asperger's syndrome. There are plenty of therapists out there. Don't stay with one you hate. You want to feel a sense of safety with them. (This may take a few weeks or longer to grow, however.)
7. The Asperger's syndrome therapist should be able to help you understand your own thoughts.
Many people with Asperger's, although by no means all, have trouble expressing their emotions. Children sometimes have trouble figuring out how they feel about a given situation--as do teen and adults. A good therapist will help the client verbalize their emotions, and ask yes or no questions to try to help sort things out.
If you are a parent, these are the qualities you should be looking for in a therapist for your loved one with Asperger's syndrome or high functioning autism. The same goes if you are an adult with Asperger's syndrome.
Finding the ideal therapist to treat may not be quick or easy and may take several tries. If you are having trouble finding a therapist, you may want to go to the Psychology Today site, which has a wonderfully useful listing of all the therapists in your area and what they specialize in. It is super easy to email them and ask questions to figure out which ones might be best for you. But typically the most effective methods to find a great therapist to help a child, teen or adult with Asperger's syndrome or autism is to ask for referrals from an autism society, friends with autism or with autistic kids, or local doctors.

And for further tips and techniques to help adults and children with Asperger's syndrome live a happy and fulfilled life,  go to the web site AspergersSociety.org and www.AutismParenthood.com. There you will be able to sign up for the free Asperger's and Autism newsletter as well as get additional information to help your loved ones thrive on the autism spectrum.

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Tips For Improving Social Skills in Autistic Children

Developing the child's communication and social skills before the age of two prevents the atrophy of any latent skills he already possesses. Using intensive therapy strategies from an early age alleviates communication problems somewhat, allowing the child to develop near-normal social and communication skill levels.
There are many ways to teach autism social skills, and tips for improving the child's social skills are a valuable starting point in the home environment. For example, using pictures to represent what he wants - a toy, his shoes, something he likes to eat - helps connect the external environment to his inner world. The picture represents a concrete object.
A good tip for improving a child's social skills is teaching him how to understand emotions, perhaps the one of the most important areas. Being able to read and interpret facial expression and body language is one of the basic human social skills. These could be taught through the use of pictures previously mentioned, gradually building on this foundation with appropriate verbal cues.
The next most important tip in improving the child's social skills would include developing his conversational skills as a follow-on from the more physical aspects just discussed. Awareness of personal space, listening skills, and staying on a particular topic are natural progressions. Being able to recognize a friend and knowing what is a friend is leads into group integrative play, and so forth.
There is one interesting caveat there, though. Children with autism often have the challenge of generalization to overcome when they are learning social and communication skills. This means, in essence, that the child may learn a social skill at home, but may not be able to make the connection between the skill and a different environment. Thus, a very important tip in improving a child's social skills is to teach him the same skill in different environments, or at least show him that he can tie his shoes in two different situations.
This tip is a key in improving an autistic child's social skills across the spectrum. By developing his or her skills in as many different places as possible, or helping him connect different people with different skills and surroundings, he builds significant connected concepts and steps "out of the box" of his mind.
Whatever the concept that is being taught, it should be done during a time of low stress. The child will be able to focus more successfully and will be less likely to have a meltdown over a secondary issue not associated with learning a social skill.

There are many more resources and information about autism signs, symptoms, treatments, and cutting edge medical research in, Autism: Everything Parents And Caregivers Should Know About The Disorder
Wondering What Autism treatments Work Best? Here's a comprehensive guide about autism to help parents and caregivers avoid a fruitless and frustrating journey when raising an autistic child Knowledge is power! No disorder is as confusing to understand and as complex to diagnose.
To learn more go here now [http://www.whatisanxiety.info/autism].

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Children With Autism - Proper Tips For Helping Kids With Autism

Before my son was diagnosed with autism we knew he had developmental issues, we began different therapy's very early in his life.

The first was physical therapy (PT) the doctors told us when he was born that he might not walk, so physical therapy was recommended to us to help with this issue. The therapist worked with him to stand holding on to things and then eventually we were watching him take his first steps. I was surprised at how much determination was shown by the therapist and my son, it seemed that the right combination of attitudes had him walking in no time. This was late he was about two and a half by the time we got him steady enough to not hold on and comfortable with taking a few steps on his own.

The next therapy that was helpful for us was occupational therapy, (OT) which seemed very similar to PT to me as a mother because I had never experienced therapy before. The OT would work with him on other areas like his oral fixation with both edible and un edible items. I later found out this is called pica,"a tendency or craving to eat substances other than normal food (such as clay, plaster, or ashes), occurring during childhood or pregnancy, or as a symptom of disease." This definition came from the dictionary. The therapist gave me many suggestions on tools like chewy tubes for him. When he put something like a pencil in his mouth I would replace it with his chewy tube, that way he was getting the input that he needed with a safe item in his mouth. As the years past we had a lot of issues with PICA he would get into our cupboards and find cleaning agents, or in the car he would find the oil for the car, it became very important for us to keep a close eye on his every move to keep him from getting hurt or ill from his actions. For a young child who was not supposed be able to open containers he became very good at taking covers off just about any package he got his hand on.

As he got older we ended up taking him to many different doctors one of which was able to give him the diagnosis of autism. We had been going to therapist before this but when this diagnosis was added speech therapy (ST) was stressed as very important because he is a very non verbal child. ST was a great help for us early in his life because he was not able to let us know his needs, there was a therapist that taught him some sign language, he caught on to it right away. He could tell us he wanted to eat or, when was thirsty, he even learned to tell us when he needed to got potty. As time went on his language developed more and with much work we were able to get him to verbalize his needs which eliminated the use of signs. I still use signs to get him to say what ne wants today. He still understands them and it keeps his speech more on topic and less echolalia.

Echolalia is when he just repeats what we tell him or what was said by some one else. Most of his speech is in this manner or just random things like " want pizza" right after we just ate dinner. With all this going on for all these years he keeps our life interesting. Everyday brings opportunity for advancement, he is now 12 years old, despite the grimm out look we got from doctors at the time of his birth he can walk, talk, and say I LOVE YOU which they said he would never do. Thanks to therapy, mile stones were reached, and when this happens as a mother I always feel, "better late than never". The one last thing that I feel is very important is doing the "homework" the therapist give. In my case they would tell me to work on certain stretches, or certain words with him when at home between therapy sessions. When we returned the next week they could tell we had been working on things at home. As a mother I was doing a good job. I hope this information is helpful for other parents out there who, like me, in the beginning are looking for helpful hints on helping our children who experience autism or special needs.

Check out the web site I created it has many items parents can use to do therapy for autism in your home. These items have been hand picked by me personally as things that I wished I had in the past, or need now for my son. The web site is http://www.autisticintentions.com it is a small selection as of now. I will be adding more inventory as I find items that I personally feel will benefit family's like mine who are living with autism and special needs.

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Tips For Coping With Aggression In Your Autistic Child

One of the common symptoms in children with autism is aggressive behavior. Aggression can occur in many different ways. Physical aggression can be directed toward you, other children, the child him or herself, or even toward inanimate objects. Furthermore, aggression in autistic children isn't limited to physical behaviors but also extends to verbal aggression too.
Whether physical or verbal, aggression in an autistic child can be very upsetting and potentially dangerous. For this reason, autistic children who display aggressive symptoms require more supervision in order to prevent them from injuring others or themselves.
Naturally, parents don't want to simply let this aggression continue and have to deal with it as it occurs. Therefore, efforts are being made on many levels to discover different ways to cope with aggression in autistic children and to decrease or at least curb its incidence.
Often, the first options to reduce aggression suggested by doctors is medication - particularly if the aggressive episodes seem especially hazardous to the child or those around him or her. Keep in mind that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved any medication that specifically treats autism. However, success has been witnessed in using drugs designated for other conditions in order to lessen the aggressive symptoms of autism.
It should be noted, though, that every individual reacts differently to medications, and while some children may respond very well to a certain dose of a drug, others will have a completely different reaction. The process is highly individualized and takes careful observation, measurement, and work with a health care professional in order to avoid any of the potential side effects or interactions.
Recently, it has been the anti-psychotic medications - specifically those which have been approved for schizophrenia treatments - that have produced the most favorable results in autism aggression reduction. For example, a 2002 study called "Risperidone in Children with Autism and Serious Behavioral Problems" (McCracken, J.T, M.D., McGough, J, M.D, et al.), published in the New England Journal of Medicine, examined the impact of Risperdal (Risperidone) on aggression in children with autism. At the end of this 8 week study, 69 percent of the children given Risperdal were said to have either "much improved" or "very much improved", in comparison to only 12 percent within the placebo group.
However, many parents do not wish to medicate - or further medicate - their children with anti-psychotic drugs. These drugs do come with potential negative side effects and can be dangerous if overdosed. Therefore, alternatives are often sought. Working with your child's doctor can be very important in this process. To try to alter behavior, parents should pay very close attention to exactly what is happening before and during an aggressive episode. It is important to try and identify trends that lead to an outburst of aggression.
For example, some parents find that their children will suddenly become upset while having their teeth brushed. There are many activities that go on during tooth brushing and each should be considered when assessing what caused the aggressive reaction. Is it opening the mouth wide? Is it the feeling of bristles against the teeth, gums, cheek, roof of the mouth, or tongue? Has the toothbrush gone in too far and hit the gag reflex? Is saliva pooling near the back of the mouth (causing a drowning sensation)? Is it drooling? Is it the smell, texture, or taste of the toothpaste? Is it the foaming of the toothpaste? Is it the sensation of spitting or swallowing saliva and toothpaste?
Every element needs to be examined and tested to see if the situation can be improved. For example, trying different kinds of toothbrushes with softer bristles, a different shaped head, or different textured bristles, or different flavors of toothpaste or gels. Different brushing techniques should also be tried to avoid various sensations, and saliva levels in the mouth should be carefully monitored.
Similarly, other children react not to a sensory sensitivity, but as a result of feeling upset or frustrated from something that they cannot verbalize. For example, a child who tries to tie his or her shoes but who has not yet developed the skills with which to do so might feel very frustrated and become unable to express the root of the frustration and instead react aggressively. When under stress, speaking clearly can be a huge challenge for autistic children and they often revert to the behaviors of younger children instead of saying what they want.
It should also be considered that if aggression has suddenly developed or worsened, there might be an allergic reaction to foods, environmental conditions, medications or a change in home or school environment. Drugs may have potential side effects including aggression. They may also interact with other drugs being taken by the child. Furthermore, seasonal allergies or food allergies may cause discomforts in an autistic child to which he or she is very sensitive and cannot properly verbalize, leading to aggressive behaviors. It is important to examine all possibilities to root out the problem.
The most important thing to remember once your child has become aggressive is for you and those around you to stay calm and talk quietly.
If appropriate, remove objects that your child could hurt themselves or others with. Ask other people present to leave the room or give your child space, but make sure you or another responsible adult stays. Never leave your child alone.
Should your child be in an appropriate environment try to avoid saying anything as this can be inflammatory and can prolong the aggressive behavior. By staying calm and quiet your child may stop their behavior more quickly.
Of course, it is also possible for a child to be displaying autistic symptoms and traits without truly being autistic at all. It is important to make certain that a misdiagnosis has not occurred by considering alternative mental disorders that can present with the same or similar behaviors.

Grab your free copy of Rachel Evans' brand new Autism Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you and your family find out about coping with autism symptoms and for information on coping with autism aggression please visit The Essential Guide To Autism.

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9 Tips To Get A Photograph Of Your Autistic Child

Many families like to take yearly photos. However, if you have an autistic child, getting them to pose for a picture is no easy task. The autistic child might not want to sit still or may even be bothered by the bright lights. However, there is hope in getting that picture finally taken. Here are a few tips.

- Before you pick a photographer, you may want to ask parents of autistic children where they have gotten their photos done. There could be a photographer in your area that handles autistic children and knows what to expect.

- Pick a time where your child is generally in a good mood. Many autistic children tend to run on a schedule and you can usually tell when they are going to be in a better mood.

- Some autistic children have a favorite cloth or a favorite object. Bring it with you to the photo studio. This can keep them calm and relaxed through the process and help get the photo done faster. It can even be included in the photo.

- Your child might respond better in the home. Have the photographer come to your house and take pictures. This will be easier on you as well because if your autistic child does have a bad reaction you are already home and can soothe them quicker.

- When going to a photographer, let them know you have an autistic child beforehand. This will help the photographer prepare any way that they need to and they may even have suggestions. If your child has problems with bright lights, let the photographer know so preparations can be made.

- Don't force your child to take the picture. If your child won't sit still, don't stress him or her out to get the picture taken. Candid shots work just as well and can be endearing.

- Let your autistic child get used to the camera. Let them look at it (but don't touch) and get comfortable with it. This could help them relax and get ready for the picture easier.

- Your child might not want to sit during the photo shoot, and that's is perfectly fine. Let them stand or even lay down. The photographer should be able to work around your family's needs when it comes to taking the photo. Let your child do what is going to make them most comfortable. If the photographer you choose doesn't accept this, just find one who will.

- A photo doesn't have to be professionally done. Your autistic child might respond better if you are the one taking the pictures. You can also take pictures doing every day activities, during family get-togethers or holidays. Many family's photo albums are full of special moments. Yours doesn't have to be any different just because your child is autistic. Take photos of them whenever you get a chance.

Taking photos of your autistic child doesn't have to be a stressful experience. Like anything else your autistic child has ever done, make them comfortable and don't force them to do anything. Make it a fun time and enjoy the situation. The pictures will get taken and look great.

Abhishek has got some great Autism Treatment Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 41 Pages Ebook, "Understanding And Treating Autism" from his website http://www.Health-Whiz.com/555/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

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10 Tips That Will Aid You in Buying Gifts For Autistic Children

There are many specific considerations that must be made when purchasing gifts for children with autism. Age, the degree of autism, the child's learning level, how well they communicate, along with their particular interests - all come into play.

1. The first tip is to do your research. Find out all the information that you can about the child you are shopping for. Their learning level may not be the same as their age or grade level, so do not assume that the toys aimed at a certain age is appropriate.
2. With this said, not all autistic children need or want toys under their age group, so keep this in mind when looking to purchase a toy. If you are willing to take a look at toys in any age group, this will give you a greater chance at finding that perfect gift!
3. Choose a gift that is helpful in verbal development and interaction. With a little effort, you can find a pack of flash cards depicting emotions, designed specifically for autistic children.
4. Pick a gift that aids in sensory, visual, and fine motor skill development.
5. Handwriting can be difficult task for many children with autism. Looking for gifts that will help a child in their specific problem area is a great gift idea.
6. Even though all children with autism are different from each other, it has been observed that a commonality is a fascination with music and texture.
7. Autistic children are often fascinated by toys with unique textures, helping them focus their senses on that object, inducing a calming effect.
8. Since music is another common interest for many autistic children, a gift that allows listening or making music stands a good chance of putting a big smile on the youngster's face!
9. Autistic children can become frustrated easily, resulting in tantrums, or worse, them hurting themselves. Avoid buying any toy that is small and easily swallowed such as marbles or coins. Avoiding toys with sharp edges is also a good rule to keep in mind.
10. A quick list of suggestions:
• A cheap mp3 player.
• Spiky ball.
• Flash cards.
• A cheap radio.
• Weighted pens.
• Smooth glitter ball.
• Koosh balls.
• Play dough.
• Dry-erase boards.
• Sound recorder.

Andrew Nolan suggests looking here for more gift ideas for autistic children!

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Tips for Teaching Autistic Children Reading Skills

Teaching autistic children reading skills can be a daunting task. Some children will never read, but many higher functioning children can learn to some extent and can end up being excellent readers.

Teaching autistic children to read has a very unique set of challenges that requires a parent or teacher to have a lot of patience. It can be like teaching children without autism but with the problems magnified.

Sometimes they can be very cooperative, but for the most part, autistic children have huge problems with attention span, lack any type of motivations to learn to read, and they have problems with figuring out the rules of reading and grammar when compared to children who do not have autism.

Learning to read should be fun for any child, but when it comes to autistic children, you have to reach them on their level, so make sure you chose a method that meets their needs.

For some children sounds are important and using music as a tool to teach musically inclined autistic children to read is a very good move. There are some programs out there on the market that will use music and singing to help a child with autism learn many things. Some also employ the use of games. These interactive methods usually help with attention span and interest, two of the biggest obstacles in this endeavor.

One important thing to remember when teaching an autistic child to read is that most reading requires creative thinking and this is something that many children with autism struggle with. This means that when learning, it is best to focus on materials that are based in reality. Stories about children like them going through their day might be a good place to start. Steer clear of stories that are full of fantasy people like princesses and talking animals.

Continue reading for tips on teaching visual thinkers and sign up for the free Autism newsletter below.

Anyone teaching an autistic child to read should remember that many think visually. This means they are more likely to learn about words and letters through visual stimulation. Almost every child has a special interest, and autistic children are no exception. If they like trains, you may want to use them as a visual guide to learning how to read. If they are interested in the subject matter they are more likely to pay attention for longer periods of time, and are more willing to learn because they will find it interesting.

Each child is different and will learn at a different pace and in a different manner. Don't be afraid to make use of the reading programs on the market designed with autistic children in mind. These have generally developed either through experience or with strong science behind them. They may be the best way to go about teaching autistic children reading when it seems they have no interest in doing so.

By Rachel Evans. Sign up for a free newsletter for more information on autism. In the newsletter you'll find out more about the signs and symptoms of autism.

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Is My Baby Autistic? Tips to Help You Answer This Question

This is the most common question that parents ask whenever they notice odd behaviors from their children. A lot of people assume that if their child fails to talk at the age or 2 or 3, he is autistic. This is a big misconception. There are numerous reasons as to why speech might be delayed in toddlers, and a lot of other reasons why some children are not hitting their milestones, but sadly, autism is one of them. It is comforting to know though, that talking late in toddlers does not automatically mean that your child is autistic.

Autism is a disorder that lasts a lifetime. It is referred to as a developmental disorder because symptoms normally manifest before a child reaches the age of 3 which is a critical period of development. It then causes concerns in the child's development, learning and growth. When a child has autism, the areas that are affected normally concerns delayed skills in the following:

- Sensory - the way a child receives and process information with the use of his senses, namely; the sense of sight, taste, movement, touch, hearing, and taste.

- Cognitive - the manner in which a child learns and thinks.

- Social Interaction - the manner in which a child interacts or relates to others.

- Motor - the manner in which a child moves his body.

- Language - the manner in which a child comprehends and makes use of gestures and words.

Here is a list of concerns observed among toddlers and young children with autism spectrum disorder. This list is derived from a number of sources:

- Does not follow directions given.

- Seems to hear you at times, but is not consistent.

- Does not respond to his name at all times.

- Used to make attempts to talk, but suddenly stops.

- Throws severe tantrums.

- Manifests strange movement patterns like flapping arms, more so when excited.

- Doesn't smile in return.

- Avoids eye contact. The child seems to look past you.

- Normally doesn't cooperate when asked to do daily chores/routines.

- Is hyper most of the time.

- Prefers to play alone.

- Is an extremely picky eater. May only prefer to eat 4 different foods.

- Mimics what he hears instead of using his own words.

- Spends a lot of time putting things in a row, lining things up and gets very distressed when interrupted.

- Has a great attachment to toys or objects.

If your child has these symptoms, it doesn't necessarily mean that he/she is autistic. Make time to discuss your child's signs with a healthcare provider. Finally decide if an intensive assessment is needed.

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Tips to Improve Hair Cuts For Children With Autism

For children with autism, getting a hair cut can be a difficult experience. For their parents the experience is often painful and full of stress, tears and frustration. When my son was first diagnosed with autism my wife and I struggled taking him to get hair cuts. We would often wait weeks past the time when his hair would look ragged and long, just to avoid the barber. After learning some small tips and developing a plan, we now are able to get his hair cut without issue. This process takes time and patience, but is worth the effort. As a father of a child with autism I have been there and understand how difficult it can be to take a child to get their hair cut. I have been slapped, scratched and my son has had a number of meltdowns that have left me on the verge of tears.

I recall specifically one time when I walked into a Circus Cuts and was relieved to not have any people there. As the hair cut progressed my son melted down and after thrashing, scratching and screaming I was blinded by hair, and the smock. As my frustration grew I began almost yelling " I did not sign up for this" and at the same time look up and saw two families just staring at us like we were from another planet. I was at the end of my rope and needed to do something. We decided to use skills learned from our Applied Behavior Analysis team. The first thing we did was take data on the events that led up to us going to get his hair cut and what scared made him lash out once was in the chair. We knew that his behavior had to stop, but first had to understand why he had these behaviors. Once we did that we were able to come up with a plan. This plan was to slowly get him accustomed to getting his hair cut buy taking it in very small steps. The steps included having him understand all of the steps of a hair cut, what it took to get to the barber and the tools used to cut his hair. Now that he had this information we could start shaping his behavior. We also had to lean what reinforcers worked best for Collin.

We already knew that clippers were a problem for him, so we discussed how he would not have to use the clippers and that he would only use the scissors. This discussion included picture cards, and actual scissors and clippers so that he could generalize what we were teaching him. At the time our son was non verbal and we needed to work on his receptive behavior and develop communication skills through pointing, and eventually verbal cues. Once he had mastered the skills of identification the hair cut process we could move on. The first reinforcer that he had in this process was that he did not have to use the clippers, a huge relief to all of us. After he was able to progress enough, we began to take the small steps to shape his behavior. We would take a step and then go home. Our first step was to talk about his hair cut and get him into the car. When he mastered that without a meltdown, we moved on taking small steps until we go him into the chair and finally able to get his hair cut. The amount of steps necessary will vary with each child, but whether it takes a month or a year, the end result will hopefully be that your child will get a haircut without a meltdown, or at least the bad behaviors will subside. Today we can go get our hair cut with out incident. He still tells the stylist "scissors only" when he gets in the chair. When he is done, he gets a lollipop (sugar free and organic) and we are off to our next errand or the playground.

Garrett Butch is the father of a 6 year old with autism and the founder of Maximum Potential Group.

Maximum Potential has developed courses created by two PhD BCBA's that train parents and school systems how to work with children with autism. To learn more about ABA and how to learn how to work with autistic children at home visit our web site.

http://www.maximumpotentialkids.com

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Aspergers Temper Tantrums - 3 Tips on Stopping Aspergers Tantrums

Do you feel exhausted from toddler Aspergers Temper Tantrums? Effective parenting, whether a child has asperger syndrome or not, is learning that you are in control, not the child. This is not a popularity contest. You are not there to wait on your child and indulge her every whim. Buying her every toy she wants isn't going to make her any happier than if you say no. There is no easy way out of this parenting experience. Sometimes you just have to dig in and let the tantrum roar.

Temper Tantrums and Asperger

A temper tantrum is very straightforward. A child does not get his or her own way and, as grandma would say, "pitches a fit." This is not to discount the temper tantrum. They are not fun for anyone.

Tips on stopping aspergers temper tantrums

1. Speak with your kid

Asperger's sufferers don't really have the knowledge to solve when their behaviors are improper. Talk to your kid about his meltdowns when he is calm and relaxed. This will probably not be until the child is seven or eight years old. Then, tell him that sometimes he does things that are not appropriate. Have him talk to you about a sign you can give him to let him known when this happens.

When my son begins to experience a meltdown, he and I have agreed that I can let him know by laying my hand on his shoulder and saying, "Please stay calm." This works fantastically for me but may not work for others. So, you have to learn by trail and error.

2. Be Patient

All you can do is be patient with your child while he is having a meltdown, though they are emotionally exhausting for you as well as he. Never punish him for experiencing a meltdown.

3. Asperger's children don't like surprises and some don't like to be touched.

Never rush to your child and give him a hug. If you want to hug him, tell him exactly what you are going to do. A surprise hug can send him into an even worse meltdown than he is already experiencing.

In conclusion about aspergers temper tantrums:

If you feel like you are being manipulated by a tantrum, you are right. You are. A tantrum is nothing more than a power play by a person not mature enough to play a subtle game of internal politics.

Dealing with temper tantrums is not the only one problems in terms of asperger syndrome behavior.

To all of you PARENTS feeling HOPELESS, MISERABLE and EMBARRASSED about your child- Help for Asperger

Asperger Syndrome Details - Avoid The # 1 One Biggest Mistake That Parents Make When The Asperger Kid Misbehaves

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The Benefits of Animal Therapy For Autism

For those of us who have had pets in our lives, it's no great surprise to learn that interactions with animals can have therapeutic and healing benefits. Many animals soothe, comfort, and calm, just by their quiet presence. And animals are now also being used as a form of autism therapy.

A New Mexico Highlands University School of Social Work graduate student named Jennifer Baról lead a research project to study the benefits and impact of animal-assisted therapies on children with autism when used as a treatment tool.

The study, entitled "The Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy on a Child with Autism" ran for 15 weeks between July and November of 2006. It was geared toward the goal of discovering whether or not there is any evidence that therapies based on animal-assistance would be able to improve an autistic child's social skills.

The results of the study were interesting. For example, before undergoing the animal-assisted therapy with an eight-year-old Australian Cattle Dog named Henry, participant Zachary, who was five years old, experienced a dramatic struggle in order to communicate. Zachary was prone to throwing tantrums as well as covering his ears and eyes when he became frustrated with his lack of ability to be understood. Participation in new activities was stressful to him. He couldn't understand how to play with others and had never before uttered a complete sentence.

However, once Zachary met and bonded with Henry, he went through a virtual transformation. His self-assurance level is much higher and he is willing to experience new activities with an obvious curiosity. Furthermore, Zachary is better able to understand what is going on around him, including the needs of others. Moreover, halfway through the therapy for the research project, Zachary completed his first sentence.

In the case of Zachary, a whole new world of experiences and understanding was opened up by the animal-assisted therapy. Within the mental hospital clinical reports, there have been many reports of autistic children who have built strong relationships with individual animals, such as pet dogs or cats. When autistic children play with animals, any violent tendencies they may have will typically disappear. They take on quite maternal characteristics, taking special care of the animal including feeding, cleaning up after them, and interacting with them.

The blood pressure of autistic children will also usually be lowered when experiencing an animal treatment. Furthermore, symptoms such as insomnia and headache can be eased with this treatment.

The companionship of animals can help reduce any lonely feelings in autistic children, promoting a base of healthy character development within them, including personality traits such as being respectful, trusting, contributing, committed, self-confident, and responsible. Autistic children can also learn decision-making skills, problem-solving skills, and both language and social skills through interactions with animals.

This kind of therapy can be beneficial overall, as well as in times of greater trial, such as puberty - when your child will go through many changes and have many questions and will be in need of greater stress relief.

Grab your free copy of Rachel Evans' brand new Autism Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you and your family find out about animal therapy for autism and for information on autism service dogs please visit The Essential Guide To Autism.

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Teaching Autistic Children - Useful Tips For Teachers And Educators

Children with autism can still perform daily functions and can be integrated in normal classrooms while at school. However, this is predicated upon the teacher's willingness to learn methods to teaching autistic children and their patience. Autistic children learn and understand differently than other children. They have a different skill set, but can learn a lot. Even though they are limited due to their disability, autistic children can really surprise you when it comes to how much knowledge they can retain.

Teachers and educators need to learn about the disorder. The teacher can take a class or learn lessons that will help autistic children. Autistic children are visual thinkers. They understand pictures and movements better than spoken word. This is an important part of the lesson plan. A teacher should never speak with their back to the autistic child and should use as many visual cues as possible. If a young child is learning about animals, having flash card on the respective animals is important. The child can associate the nouns with pictures and understand the lesson better.

While teaching on autistic child, you might learn they are enamored with a certain object. This could anything from airplanes to cars to mice. When teaching a child with autism, try to use the object that they love in the teaching. This will make them understand everything much better. Use this as a way to motivate their school work.

It is harder to use pictures with other types of ideas such as verbs and adjectives. Simulating an action will go a long way in an autistic child understanding the meaning. Autistic children may have a hard time following long-winded instructions. Once the child gets older, have written instructions for lessons, tests and assignments so the child can follow it easily.

Motor skills are many times compromised with autistic people and thus have a difficult time in writing. To help cope with this problem, try to get those who suffer from autism to use a computer. They can type easier than hold a pencil and will be able to communicate better and be more effectively. Have the keyboard near the computer screen so they can read anything they have written. Those with autism sometimes forget what they have just done or will forget certain sequences. If possible, try to get the autistic child to use art as a form of expression as well. Because those with autism think in pictures, they will have an easier time drawing than writing words.

One thing a teacher should note is never force an autistic child to do something they don't want to do. Teachers have to be firm, but gentle. If a teacher doesn't have the patience to deal with an autistic child this can really hinder the learning experience. Those with autism can lead full lives. A lot of that starts at school.

Abhishek has got some great Autism Treatment Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 41 Pages Ebook, "Understanding And Treating Autism" from his website http://www.Health-Whiz.com/555/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

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Autism and Potty Training Tips - Getting Through this Difficult Time

Potty training toddlers can be hard work. But for any child, autistic or not, this is a very important step in the developmental process, and one that should not be delayed. Autism potty training, however, may bring about a little dread in parents that are about to undergo the process. This article will briefly cover some of the ways you can help ease this process, and what you should expect.

First, it is important that you understand that some fundamental and universal techniques for potty training children are simply not applicable to children with autism. Or, more accurately, these rules are not applicable in their original form - not without some tweaking, anyway. It is also important to understand that this process will not be easy, no matter the level of learning ability of your child. The process is not easy for any child. You will need to bring patience and determination to the table in order to be successful.

Before you start the potty training process, it is important to remember that children with autism to not tend to react to positive reinforcements and stimuli in the same fashion as other children do. Because of this, you should probably avoid offering your child rewards or prizes based on their behavior, as their reaction will likely vary from instance to instance and cannot be counted upon.

It is also important to fully communicate the importance of using a toilet to your child, as they may simply not understand the reasoning behind such an act. An effective way to accomplish this is with visual aides, rather than spoken commands. Showing your child simple illustrations of the entire process of using the bathroom can help them understand the process better. These can be simple illustrations or symbolic representations.

Another hurdle to overcome when potty training autistic children is that they often times cannot sense when they need to go to the bathroom. To overcome this, a good idea may be to establish a strict routine. Using a clock or timer, teach your child how to use the bathroom at the same times each day. As children with autism naturally move toward routine, this should not be too hard.

Lastly, it is important to understand that children with autism do not accept change into their lives easily. Because of this, it is important to stay patient and understanding during the potty training process. While any child can have difficulty learning to be potty trained, with autistic children, the process can be especially daunting. This doesn't mean that it is impossible, however. If you accept the challenges ahead of you, and maintain that you will overcome them to achieve positive results right from the very start, then you will ultimately be successful.

Autism potty training does not have to make you feel a sense of dread. With some hard work and patience, this task can be effectively accomplished. Although be prepared for it to take longer and probably start later than for children without autism.

By Rachel Evans. Sign up for a free newsletter for more information on autism. In the newsletter you'll discover vital information on other parenting challenges similar to autism potty training.

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