Autism Spectrum Disorder can present additional challenges for children including struggling to adapt to change or difficulty relating to others. This can also result in new challenges for parents as they begin to navigate how to provide the best care for their child. Fortunately there is an immense amount of literature on Autism Spectrum Disorder and various tools that parents can learn.

Intervene Even if “It’s Just a Phase”

The two year old boy runs over to another child and hits him. He then yanks the toy car away from the other child. When the parent tells the child to give back the toy car, the boy shouts, “No!” The parent grimaces but thinks, “It is just a phase. I am sure it will…

Turning Around the Bedtime Battle

The clock strikes eight o’clock and a small shiver goes down the spines of the mom and dad. Shortly the bedtime battle will begin. It is something that both parents dread.  There is always something that delays the kids from going to bed. Either a favorite blanket can’t be found or an overwhelming thirst overtakes…

Teasing and Bullying in Grade School

The mother had a sense something was wrong when her second grader came home from school and threw his backpack angrily into a corner. She gently encouraged him to tell her what was wrong. Her son said, “Billy said I was the slowest kid in class in getting my math done even though I am…

Tips for Transition from Elementary to Middle School

Her son started to reel off a series of questions. “What if I can’t remember what class I go to next? What if I can’t make it to class on time?” he asked.  His mother smiled reassuringly but was a bit alarmed at how anxious her son was becoming about going to middle school. Anxiety…