When a child exhibits challenging behaviors such as severe tantrums, aggression, elopement or self-injury, it is often a sign that they are struggling to communicate their needs. For parents of children on the autism spectrum, watching a child experience distress without knowing how to help can be overwhelming. In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA therapy), behavior […]
Starting Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for your child is a major milestone. It marks the beginning of a dedicated, highly personalized journey toward building meaningful life skills, improving communication and fostering independence.⁸ ¹¹ ¹² However, before sessions officially begin, families must navigate the intake process. For many parents, taking those initial steps can feel […]
When a child receives an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis, parents are often eager to begin early intervention as soon as possible.1 Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA therapy) is widely recognized as a gold-standard treatment for children with autism, offering structured, evidence-based care tailored to each learner’s unique needs.2 However, after securing a diagnosis and receiving […]
Understanding how a child processes the world around them is one of the most important aspects of supporting their growth. When a child experiences intense reactions to sights, sounds, textures or movements, parents often wonder what might be driving those behaviors. Two terms that frequently come up in these conversations are Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) […]
For young children, understanding the boundary between “mine” and “yours” is a natural developmental milestone that takes time and guidance to master. It is completely normal for kids to want to play with a shiny toy they see in a friend’s hands or grab an interesting object off a counter without asking. However, for children […]
Greeting others is one of the most fundamental social skills we use every day. Whether it’s saying a quick “hello” to a teacher, waving to a neighbor or offering a handshake to a new acquaintance, greetings help set the tone for positive social interactions. They signal friendliness, acknowledge others and serve as the entry point […]
Taking turns is a fundamental part of daily life. From waiting in line at the grocery store to playing a board game or participating in a classroom discussion, sharing moments with others requires patience and social awareness. It is challenging enough for neurotypical children to master the concept of waiting. For those with neurodevelopmental challenges […]
Whether it is giving up a favorite toy during recess, splitting a snack or passing the crayons during an art project, sharing is a cornerstone of early childhood development. It is the building block upon which children form meaningful friendships, collaborate in preschool classrooms and integrate smoothly into community environments. However, sharing requires a sophisticated […]
Human emotions are complex, powerful and sometimes overwhelming. For any child, figuring out how to identify a big feeling, connect a word to it and express it without throwing a tantrum is a major developmental hurdle. When a child lacks the tools to communicate their internal state, emotional experiences often manifest as challenging behaviors such […]
Communication is at the heart of how we connect, share our experiences and get our basic needs met. For young children, one of the most critical parts of communication is learning how to ask questions. It allows them to satisfy their curiosity, request help, make choices and engage with the world around them. Children with […]
