Alee Behavioral Healthcare

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

As a parent, you will always want what is best for your child. As a result, if you begin to suspect that they have a condition such as autism, you may be feeling concerned or even worried about what the future may hold for your child. After all, children with autism or related conditions experience life differently from their neurotypical peers and may need certain support fixtures in place to ensure they can reach their full potential. First things first, however, it’s important to remember that an autism diagnosis is not a bad thing. Therefore, if you are beginning to suspect that your child may have autism, it is important that you do not panic. We all have qualities that make us different from each other, and autism is simply one of these differences. Furthermore, those with autism can fully achieve their goals – no matter what they may be. That being said, getting that autism diagnosis can make a real difference to your child’s life for the better, as it means you’ll gain access t...

Our ability to communicate with others, be it our family or peers, shapes our day-to-day lives. After all, it helps us form strong relationships, advocate for ourselves, and get to where we need to be (both professionally and personally). However, children with autism and related disorders may find it harder than most to communicate with others. There are many reasons for this, but it’s primarily due to the fact that the way in which we communicate in our daily lives caters to neurotypical people over neurodiverse. Not only does it require a certain level of language processing skills, but it often requires speakers to pick up on nonverbal cues, such as body language, too—something that many people with autism find hard to read. Beyond this, a significant number of children with autism are non-verbal or “have problems with the meaning and rhythm of words and sentences.” As such, parents must work proactively with their children to help them develop the communication skills they need t...