One of the most impactful supports we can provide for ourselves and our kiddos is a clear visual space and accessible Lear ing environment, Autistic kids thrive on a clear, visual space and minimal clutter. This is one of the hardest things for me as a mom becuaee everything else just gets in the way. I chose 1 space, 1 space that supports our routines and independence. When this space is supported with all we need it’s less dysregulation on my nervous system and more independence for them. Is organizing your space easy or hard for you?

Today I was at a school and working with paras and teachers on how to engage and connect with their students. It was a life line to my soul! There was a new student in kindergarten and this little boy was not yet talking, not yet engaging with toys, not yet engaging with people. They quickly wanted to get him to sit at circle and I quickly wanted them to engage in what I teach and so we did. In 15 min segments of time, rotating paras Sensory Social Routines- its sensory- so movement, spinning, deep pressure, jumping and its social communication so working on smiles, laughter, continuation, initiations, gestures eye contact and we know that when your child is engaged in sensory movement its regulating to your supporting behavior. so we played row row row you boat and his progress from the first round to the 3 round blew us away! Once they knew what they were looking for, the paras notices and were excited to try and continue to do it. We worked on so many skills within that simple Joint action routines - using toys or objects to support engagement in a back and forth manner. This little boy didn't have a lot of toy play behavior just yet, he liked to tap things, shake things, walk around and throw things. I had to create joint action routines and we did this with structure. we started one with pillows he was sitting on pillows and I would provide a gentle deep pressure with one and put it aside and did this will the rest of the 4. Eventually he grabbed a pillow to continue! He didn't know this was a game he could play, but we taught him! Book routines- He wasn't engaged with books, but he touched them! and this is huge, we worked on a variety of skills to model and I know that with the framework I teach I know that eventually he will engage in books and communication and participation with come. If you have any questions about this, this is my zone of genius, ask away! If you're wanting your next step on how to engage and connect with your child, check out "Your Next Step" in the classroom and we can get started!

We love a good activity that can kill some time!! I like to view activities as a process over product and tomorrow in the parent power in 5 min I’m going to talk about how we stretch activities to maximize attention, and communication!! If you can’t access it yet, make sure you’re posting, asking questions and commenting! You get reinforced with points to unlock levels with how much you engage:)

Somedays we have more time than others and on the days we can’t seem to function, or feel guilt of all the other stuff goin on, 15 min is still ok! 15 min in the bath, sitting at snack with them, helping them get dressed, singing a song, talking a walk. It will add up! When you become intentional with that 15 min, paying a bit more attention, pausing more to provide language opportunities, model more, be a bit more patient, it makes a difference! Let’s encourage each other! What’s a 10-15 min interaction you have had with your child?

What behaviors or challenges are currently showing up for your child or your family?