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Understanding Autism: Difficulty in Social Situations

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While it’s important to stress that no two people with autism experience the condition in the same way, some symptoms are more common than others. For example, many children with autism and related disorders find difficulty in social situations. What are ‘social situations’? The social situation is a term that can describe a broad range of events we encounter daily. For children, social situations include everything from going to school to spending time with their siblings. In short, it refers to any situation where others surround us. Why do children with autism and related disorders tend to struggle in social situations? Children with autism and related disorders may struggle in social situations because they tend to experience the world differently than their neurotypical peers. As such, they may not know how to accurately respond to specific social cues that other children seem to understand from an early age. Because of this, it is a common misconception that people with autism a
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Understanding Autism_ What Is Stimming?

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Emotional regulation is something that we all struggle with – even into adulthood. However, how we regulate our emotions varies on a case-by-case basis – and the same can be said for children with autism and related disorders. Many children with autism use ‘stimming’ as a form of emotional regulation, which is why you may already be familiar with the term. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what stimming is, and steps you can take to support your child. What Is Stimming? Stimming is short for self-stimulating and refers to repetitive behaviors/actions carried out by individuals as a form of emotional regulation or self-soothing. While seemingly ‘random’, they provide the individual with a sense of comfort, especially when they feel overwhelmed. According to Autism.org, Typically Stimming Behaviors Could Include: Arm flapping Finger-flicking Rocking Jumping Spinning Twirling Head-banging Complex body movements There are many different reasons why a person may ‘stim’. For example, i
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Back to School Tips for Children with Autism

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Heading back to school can be both exciting and challenging for children of all ages and abilities. For example, while they may be excited about seeing their friends again or learning new things, each academic year brings new challenges. Children with autism and related disorders, however, are more likely to encounter challenges during school than their neurotypical peers. For example, a recent study found that “74% of autistic students in the U.S. graduate with a diploma, versus 86% of all students.” However, this does not mean that your child is not capable of great things or excelling in school. You simply need to ensure that the right accommodations are put in place to allow them to thrive both academically and socially. With that in mind, here are some useful back-to-school tips for children with autism! Tour the Classroom Ahead of Time Students with autism and related disorders are more likely to thrive in environments they feel comfortable in. As such, you should reach out to t
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Navigating the Path to an Autism Diagnosis for Your Child

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For children with autism and related disorders , receiving an official diagnosis plays a key role in their development moving forward. After all, this means that they can access additional support services, put accommodations in place to support them moving forward, and begin to explore different therapeutic interventions. This is particularly important when you understand that early intervention has many benefits, as it means that your child is developing a range of skills and coping mechanisms that will set them up for life. With that in mind, here are some steps that you can follow to ensure your child receives an autism diagnosis as soon as possible. Understand the Early Signs. Right now, the average age for an autism diagnosis is three years old for boys and four for girls. However, studies have found that “many children show symptoms of autism by 12 months to 18 months of age or earlier.” Being able to pick up on the early signs, alongside some of the lesser-known symptoms of aut
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Which Therapy Is Right for My Child with Autism?

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According to a recent report from the CDC, “1 in 36 children in the U.S. have autism, up from the previous rate of 1 in 44.” This increase in diagnoses can likely be attributed to an increased awareness of the condition, alongside growing funding for ASL and other related disorders. Fortunately, this also means that there’s more support available than ever before to children with autism and their families. This includes a wide range of interventive therapies. However, it can sometimes be difficult to determine which therapy is right for your child, which is where this guide comes in! What are the different kinds of Autism Therapy? Applied Behavioral Analysis Clinic. Applied Behavioral Analysis Clinic is one of the most popular forms of autism therapy. This is built upon the ideology of reducing challenging behaviors in individuals with autism while also helping participants to develop useful life skills. For example, it can help children to better understand how they should act in a s
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Fitness Activities for Children with Autism

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At Alee, we hope to use our expert knowledge to ensure that every child we are entrusted to work with at our autism clinic reaches their full potential, be that academic, personal or physical. Studies have shown that encouraging a child with autism to engage in sporting activities can have a range of health benefits. As well as promoting a healthier lifestyle, exercising can help improve a child’s mood, and help reduce hyperactivity or any frustration that they may be feeling. However, it is often difficult to find activities for children with autism to participate in that they will enjoy without feeling overwhelmed. Right now, many of us have taken to exercising at home to ensure we stay fit during the current crisis. With this in mind, we have compiled a list of at home exercises/activities that will help you all stay fit and healthy! 4 Fitness Activities for Children with Autism 1) Obstacle Course Build an obstacle course in your home/backyard! To do this, you can either rearrange y
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Understanding Autism: Social Stories and Their Role in Skill Development

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What are social stories? In 1991, Carol Gray coined and trademarked the term “social stories.” It refers to a short, narrative-style description of a particular event or social scenario, broken down so that a neurotypical child may find it easier to understand. After reading a social story, a child with autism or a related disorder will have a deeper understanding of a specific scenario that they may otherwise find daunting or overwhelming. They know what to expect going in, making the entire experience more pleasant. When are social stories useful? As mentioned above, social stories Autism provide children with useful context about a “new” situation or scenario they have not experienced before. For example, they could be used to help a child understand what will happen at their first dentist appointment, especially if they are in need of some kind of dental surgery. Alternatively, a social story about starting a new school could be useful if you have recently moved to a new town or n
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