Forgetting Milestones and Learning to Measure Progress…a New Way of Thinking! #Friendships

By Mary Ellen Bogucki I believe friendship can be a difficult concept to maneuver for anyone, but in the special needs and Autism community there are times it may seem impossible. From the moment my daughter, Bree, was born, she had an instant friend in that of her sister, Kailey. Kailey was 2 ½ years older than Bree and was already a “little mother” in the body of a toddler. Kailey loved dolls, she loved […]

Music Therapy and Autism: Does it Work? Yes! Here’s Why (and How)

by Patty Shukla  In my more than 20 years as a children’s educational music professional, I have found that one question gets asked over and over again. “Miss Patty, do autistic children love music as much as your other students do?” Yes. The fact is that nearly all children have an inherent love of learning about and making music. From singing to dancing to playing musical instruments, kids of every description and from every walk of […]

Forgetting Milestones and Learning to Measure Progress…a New Way of Thinking! #Don’tStopTrying

By Mary Ellen Bogucki When I think of my daughter’s journey with Autism, I can think of many different analogies. One is the game of Jenga. There’s a tower missing a few blocks, but it’s still standing strong. Then in swoops a person who may remove a strategy, a modification or just strike a verbal blow that makes the tower sway and lose its footing. Oh…but it still balances without fully falling and I think […]

How to Help an Angry Child

by Lynne Pearson Edward, our autistic son, used to go from 0 to 60 pretty much instantly when he became angry. He’d seem fine and then he’d suddenly blow. Big time. Tension and Frustration spilling out in crashing tidal waves no matter who we were with or where we were. It was nigh on impossible to talk him down once he’d blown up like this. The best tactic was to stay calm, move to a […]

Detroit auto show hosts first event for those with sensory sensitivity and autism

Omar Abdel-Baqui, Detroit Free Press First ever Sensory Friendly Day takes place at NAIAS; gives chance to many to visit event for the first time If you were at the North American International Auto Show on Sunday morning, you may have noticed there was no loud music, no flashing lights and the monitors usually displaying fast-moving video were static. For many, the booming bass and strobe lights are enjoyable features of the show. But, for those […]