Can you believe it’s back to school time already? For some parents this time of year is all about finding a coping strategy and mastering deep breathing exercises. We like to take a different approach. In fact, this is our favorite time of year because even though it’s filled with changes, it’s the perfect…

Families who have children with special needs understand the importance of a daily routine and strong community, medical and educational support services. These families dread the upheavals and enormous stress caused by change, such as the separation from and extended absence of a parent, or moving to a new place, not to mention the stress of dealing with a myriad of taxing paperwork.

Some have snickered or rolled their eyes when I I’ve equated life as an autism mom to that of a combat soldier, as noted in the University of Wisconsin-Madison article, but parents of special needs children likely get what I mean. Although the battlefields may differ, being an autism mom, and in my case, a single mom, can require every ounce of patience…

The 4th of July can hold many wonderful childhood memories – parades, fireworks, crowds of people in the hot sun enjoying American Independence Day and the summer holiday. But for children with autism or Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), this day can be overwhelming and upsetting. Here are some tips to help make their day (and the family’s) a more positive experience!

10 Tips from Real Moms!
You’ve done the work! Found a summer camp for your child with special needs – read the reviews, checked their references and researched like crazy! Next up? Preparing yourself – and your child – for the big day. And packing. There’s going to be packing!

There are many benefits to including animals in the life of children with special needs; research shows increased social interactions, empathy, lower blood pressure and heart rates, and lower anxiety. With such positive results, it’s easy to want to run out and get Pet Therapy into our child’s life!

Brett, a child with Autism, was found in the woods by using AngelSense to guide a police helicopter and a search and rescue team.
The search ended in less than 90 minutes in spite of the densely wooded terrain.

Although it still seems like just the other day that we rang in the New Year, summer is right around the corner and with it the challenges presented as we seek to maintain our special needs kids’ familiar routines while taking advantage of the seasonal activities available during summer.

Most families with a child who has special needs know full well the concept of it taking a village. From medical professionals to educators and deep into our communities, we create a team of people to help. But within our family is where the deepest well of support and care usually emerges.

When the Autism Society and AMC films partnered together for Sensory Friendly Films, they were filling an important need – the chance for children with special needs and their families to enjoy movies on the big screen, in a setting specially designed for their comfort and enjoyment.