5 ways to prepare for the Easter break – Autism
The Easter period is a joyous time, a time to celebrate, spend time with family and for most, fill our belly’s with lots of yummy chocolate Easter can also mean for some a time of change, change to routine, change to structure and what makes a person feel safe. For people with Autism and language…
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Why a picture routine is a good idea in a Childcare setting
Childcare and a school environment is filled with an abundance of visual and auditory stimulation. Overload of sensory stimuli can create a lack of focus and inability to process auditory information. This overload of stimulation can make it difficult for a person who has limited language retain information. Imagine not being able to understand what…
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How to increase interaction and develop your child’s skills
As parents and carers, we are always looking at different ways on how to increase interaction and play with our children. This can be difficult if you have a child that prefers to be on their own, has obsessions, rituals and strict routines. Some people with Autism Spectrum Disorders appear to be unable to read…
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4 visual strategies to help your child prepare for Christmas
Christmas is a time for joy and spending time with family however for some people or small children with social anxiety, communication impairments, developmental delay, Christmas can completely overwhelming. Why? because of change to routine, crowds, noise, lights, people they don’t know too well wanting to kiss and hug you, the list goes on. Here a…
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How to create engaging opportunities in the school holidays
School holidays are the perfect time to create engaging opportunities for you and your child or the person you are supporting. With early intervention, school and other activities taking a break during this period gives you an opportunity to work on engaging experiences in the home. Create Structure and Routine Easily said than done, right!…
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Toilet training – 6 ways to help people with limited language
Toilet training a toddler or a person with a disability can be a challenge, for the person themselves it can be an extremely confusing time. Children/Adults with Autism and communication impairments are at most visual learners, pictures, photos, line drawings, words can help them understand what is being asked of them. Sometimes just asking someone…
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Why use pictorial schedules for someone who is non-verbal
Daily and Weekly Pictorial Schedules and Timetables are a visual learning tool for people with Autism and communication impairments to use to develop routine and structure to their world. Can you imagine not knowing what is happening now, what is coming next? Where you are going, who you are visiting, who is visiting you, what…
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Behaviour & safety tips, when accessing the Community
Is your child a runner or do you worry about the safety of the person you are supporting safety? Here I share some of my behaviour support strategies I used when accessing the Community. I think of all the times when I would pull up in our car, at our destination and I would say, till…
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Personal Care – 6 tips to teach Daily Living Skills
We all want to be independent, to attend to our own Personal Care. Here, I share some creative tips to reduce verbal language and use other resources to support your child or someone you are supporting to learn Daily Living skills. Some children and adults have difficulty processing auditory information in particular people who are…
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High School Graduation, 13 years of transitioning tips
High School Graduation day is here! What a day. probably one of the best days thus far. To see my son throw his black mortarboard graduation hat in the air and mouth, “I did it” was simply awesome. I think back and marvel at how far we have come, how difficult it must have been…
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Visual tips to help people choose what they want to eat
I want to share with you some visual support strategies on how to best use a choice-board to support a person to have choice and control over their own lives. People with a disability in particular people with Autism Spectrum Disorders have difficulty processing auditory information, having to make their own choice, can sometimes be…
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I am not a Speech Pathologist, I am a mum first.
I get asked all the time if I am a Speech Pathologist. I am not, I am a mum, who backed up every day oral speech with pictures. Opening up a world of language and interaction for my then non-verbal son. A term used for this type of therapy is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC).…
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