Mand Training
A very brief post recommending teaching specific versus generalized mands can be found here: http://goo.gl/UIiI4H along with references to a few studied that support this opinion. We need all the research we can have on teaching mands due to the extreme importance to people with autism and language impairments. And we need practitioners to truly understand what constitutes a …
Trick or Treat Postcards
We practice and we practice and we practice. But it is not an easy thing to do when the time comes and all the excitement culminates. The costume (if we got there), the group of kids, the different doors and doorbells, the sequence, and all the candy to come, make it extra challenging to perform on …
Watching the Media – TWSJ on Fidgeting Benefits for Children with ADHD
It is a slippery slope if the child is not assessed (and diagnosed) properly; behaviors have different functions and even in children with ADHD fidgeting can have other functions rather than, or in addition to, increasing alertness. So let’s pay attention to the research and use the results, while ensuring that we do not take …
Autism Awareness Day
So much has been said and so much has been done. Autism Speaks has to be mentioned and given credit as the study case it is on outstanding, fierce and effective action for autism awareness, lobbying, that has changed the world scenario. More people know the label, more people know basic facts, including that people with autism …
Stay Positive
A cute and funny reminder that no matter how hard, as long as we are doing everything we can, we have to try to stay positive. It is not completely in our control and what others do matters. Also little luck is needed. But focus on what you can control and take deep breaths. Frequently. If …
How kids rate friendship potential of kids with autism
As reported by The Examiner, a research study has demonstrated that children make very quick judgements about other children when looking at short videos of them. An updated report describes the study: 44 typically developing children answered 6 questions while watching 50-sec videoclips of other children answering interview questions1 (edited from a 10-min interview; see questions below). The children in the …