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How To Talk To Your Child About Their Autism Diagnosis

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  There are plenty of guides out there that offer advice for parents whose child has just had an autism diagnosis, but very few that consider this process from the perspective of the child. After all, as the average diagnosis age is three for boys and four for girls, children are often too young to understand what the diagnosis actually means. While this doesn’t mean you should overburden them with complicated language and leaflets, you should make an effort to bring it into conversation with them. With that in mind, here are some simple ways in which you can begin to talk to your child about autism, their diagnosis, and how it may impact their lives. Start the chat when they are feeling relaxed and comfortable. When you feel ready to talk to your child about their diagnosis, make sure you do so in an environment where they feel relaxed and comfortable, such as the family home. Have an honest conversation. Obviously, the age of your child may impact the depth of the conversation yo...
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What Skills are Developed in Speech Therapy?

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  Again, the nature of the  speech therapy  support will vary depending on the individual in question. However, these sessions often include: Learning how to better understand and approach certain emotions. For example, learning how facial expressions express both positive and negative feelings, and how we can respond to these non-verbal cues. Learning how to attribute meaning and nuance to non-verbal signs of communication. For example, children may be asked to match facial expressions, gestures, or body language to specific phrases or sayings. This is sometimes achieved through the use of  Social Stories . This technique will help children recognize these social cues moving forward to better respond to these situations. Learning how to modulate tone of voice to convey emotions. This technique can also be used to understand speech patterns and nuances in conversation, such as sarcasm. Working on making clearer speech sounds or even developing muscles in the mouth or...
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Location: 628 Park Ave, Cranston, RI 02910, USA
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How To Help Your Child With Autism Thrive In Any Environment

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  As a parent, you will always want what is best for your child. This often means that you’ll go above and beyond to find a way to make them happy and create an environment in which they can thrive. However, when a child is diagnosed with  autism or a related disorder , usual parental worries may be elevated, as it might take them a little longer to get used to certain environments and situational changes. With that in mind, here are some top tips you can use to help your child with autism thrive in any environment – whether they are spending time at home or in school. Understand what autism actually is Unfortunately, it took a long time for medical professionals to understand autism, which came hand in hand with plenty of myths about what autism is and how it presents itself. As a result, you must take some time to thoroughly research the condition once your child has received a diagnosis. This can help you gain a deeper understanding of your child and how they may be feeling...
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Location: 628 Park Ave, Cranston, RI 02910, USA
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How To Help Your Child With Autism Prepare For A School Trip

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  Field trips provide children with the opportunity to further consolidate the knowledge they’ve acquired in the classroom through real-life experiences. They also allow them to form stronger bonds with their peers outside of the classroom environment.   In short, they are an essential part of your child’s academic development. In fact, one  study  found that “children who take school trips have better grades (59%), higher graduation rates from high school (95%) and college (63%), and greater income (12% higher annually).”   However, for children with  autism and related disorders , field trips may be a little anxiety-inducing.   Why are field trips harder for children with autism? Children with autism and related disorders work best within a  routine , both in and out of school. For example, they often like to know what they are doing and when. This knowledge is often empowering as they feel more confident heading into their day, knowing they wil...
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Location: 628 Park Ave, Cranston, RI 02910, USA
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How To Advocate For Your Child With Autism

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  A parent will always be their child’s biggest advocate. However, when your child is diagnosed with  autism or a related disorder ,  your advocacy becomes all the more important. Why is Autism Advocacy Important? There are many reasons why autism advocacy is important. It can help to break down harmful stereotypes, challenge misinformation, and perhaps most crucially, build a more welcoming and inclusive world for neurodiverse individuals. Furthermore, it can also help to raise awareness about autism and related disorders, which can increase acceptance  and  increase the amount of funding autism charities and research receive. How To Advocate For Your Child With Autism Start at home. Advocating for your child often begins at home. Start by doing your research into autism, ensuring that all information is gathered from reputable sources. The more you understand the condition, the easier it will be to support your child throughout every stage of their life. If yo...
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Location: 628 Park Ave Unit 1D, Cranston, RI 02910, USA
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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 eithe...
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Location: 628 Park Ave, Cranston, RI 02910, USA
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What are the Benefits of Literal Thinking?

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Literal thinking can come in handy in many different areas of your child’s life. For example, it often enables them to perform well in school, especially in subjects that are based in fact or the ability to recognize patterns. For example, in one study by Stanford University, “children with autism and average IQs consistently demonstrated superior math skills compared with non autistic children in the same IQ range.” Literal thinking  can also help your children make smarter, more informed decisions in other areas of their life, as they’re better able to assess the situation and determine the best course of action. Furthermore, employers are often on the lookout for literal thinkers.
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Location: 628 Park Ave, Cranston, RI 02910, USA
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