What are Social Stories and How does it Benefit a Child with Autism?

As parents, we use casual expressions with children that are mostly of a different nature: "quiet sound", "don't touch" and "play nicely". But what do these sentences really mean for an autistic child? Social situations and all the expected behaviors that accompany them are difficult for autistic children, and "playing nice" simply does not provide all the information the child needs to respond properly. Fortunately, the concept of social stories was devised by Carol Gray in 1991, and [...]

By |2022-09-17T09:55:59-04:00April 7th, 2020|Categories: Autism, Parenting, Social Skills, Social Stories, Special Education, Visual Support|Tags: |0 Comments
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Free Core Board Download

We have created this incredible core vocabulary visual support that includes Smarty Symbols. You can download and use as you need with your students or your own child. To download, simply tap on the image below and you will be redirected to a page to download a pdf file which you can print. On our website you can access the images use to create this board and other 31,000 images. You can create custom materials in less than [...]

By |2022-09-17T09:57:09-04:00March 28th, 2019|Categories: Autism, Blog, Communication Boards|Tags: |0 Comments
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Autism, Speech Therapy, and Early Intervention

A new government survey of parents suggests that 1 in 45 children, ages 3 through 17, have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Ideally, these children would be diagnosed and begin receiving treatment as early as possible. Early intervention is key when you’re talking about autism. Kids with ADS often have speech delays and communication issues that can prevent them from achieving the same milestones as their peers. Speech therapy services can give these children tools to navigate the [...]

By |2022-09-20T08:22:00-04:00December 10th, 2017|Categories: Autism, Blog, Early Intervention, Visual Support|Tags: , |0 Comments
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What are Social Stories and How They Can Help Autistic Children

Social stories are a great way to help kids with autism spectrum disorder. They are a simple and effective way to help kids to learn proper behaviors and what is expected of them. Many kids with autism use visuals to communicate. Social stories use visuals to tell a story. Think of it as a “how-to” for behaviors. People with autism often misunderstand or don’t pick up on social cues like facial expressions or gestures and they may not [...]

By |2022-09-20T08:16:20-04:00November 21st, 2017|Categories: Autism, School, Social Skills, Visual Support|Tags: , |0 Comments
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CORE VOCABULARY: They are no little things

Our language is made up of small words and enormous words, simple words and complex words, beautiful words and healing words. Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things. I am tempted to think there are no little things. –Bruce Barton.  There are many little words which make up our everyday language, a group of them are called the core vocabulary. WHAT IS CORE VOCABULARY? Core vocabulary is a set of words that we use frequently during communication, [...]

By |2022-09-17T10:05:50-04:00October 9th, 2017|Categories: AAC, Autism, Core Vocabulary|0 Comments
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Do Kids With Autism Really Need Routines?

Most of us crave routine of some sort. Whether we enjoy our morning coffee or schedule things in order to get it all done, most of our days follow a usual and predictable ebb and flow. For autistic kids, though, routine is more than a want. For them, it is a need. ROUTINES MAKE THEM FEEL SAFE Autistic children need to feel a sense of structure and safety. They must process information differently than others and often deal [...]

By |2022-09-17T10:54:39-04:00September 24th, 2017|Categories: Autism, Blog, Visual Support|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
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What is AAC and why you should care if you have an Autistic child

The great Maya Angelou so wisely acknowledged that “Words are things. We must be careful about the words we use. Someday we will be able to measure the power of words.” Can you imagine living in a world where words did not come so easily and communication seemed near impossible? Maya Angelou could. She spent many years of her childhood completely unable to communicate using speech. She knew all too well the struggles and the isolation. THE GIFT [...]

By |2022-09-17T18:09:33-04:00September 8th, 2017|Categories: AAC, Autism, Blog|Tags: , |0 Comments
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Preparing for a natural disaster with Autism

When a disaster strikes children and adults with autism will need extra support and assistance. We are currently experiencing one of the worst disasters in Texas history with hurricane Harvey. Millions of people have lost their homes and are having to make plans for adjusting to a new normal after this natural disaster. If you have a child or a family member with Autism, you know that it can be extra important to take precautions, especially when it [...]

By |2022-09-17T19:21:27-04:00August 29th, 2017|Categories: Autism, Blog, Communication Boards, Free Stuff|Tags: , , , , , , |0 Comments
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Using visuals to help individuals with Autism

Individuals with autism often have difficulty adapting to changes in routines, transitioning, focusing on tasks, interacting socially, and expressing themselves. Why should I use Visual Supports? Individuals with autism think in a visual way and can easily recall visual images and memories. Using pictures for communication can help increase memory skills, social communication abilities, and understanding of the environment and community. Pictures of routines/schedules may make transitioning easier because the individual can see what is happening now and [...]

By |2022-09-17T10:33:42-04:00May 18th, 2015|Categories: Autism, Blog, Core Vocabulary|0 Comments
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