Robots, Engagement and Autism Spectrum Disorder Intervention

BY GREG FIRN, ED.D Learners with intellectual disabilities often struggle with traditional educational tools, but robots are a game changer. Kids like robots because they’re “cool” and feel like big toys – nonjudgmental ones. With over 30 years of experience in education and a passion for helping every child meet their full potential academically and socially, I have seen how effective intervention is for children with ASD, particularly if it happens early in the child’s […]

Forgetting Milestones and Learning to Measure Progress…a New Way of Thinking! #FakingTypical (Part 1)

By Mary Ellen Bogucki About 10 months ago, I decided to share some of my daughter, Bree’s story, through Exceptional Blog. My wish is to give hope to others and share what worked and didn’t work for us along our journey.  Also, my desire is to educate those who may not understand certain challenges our loved ones face.  Bree, has had some amazing opportunities and has been extremely blessed to experience much success in her […]

Defining Resilience

PUZZLES & CAMO BY SHELLY HUHTANEN I would say that raising a child with autism while serving in the military would fit the definition quite well. Resilience. I remember a good friend of mine sitting with me during a briefing, encouraging Army spouses to be more resilient and mentioning that our children were some of the most resilient individuals around. She reached over and whispered in my ear, “I hate the word resilient.” She had […]

Dear Future Daughter-In-Law

BY KIMBERLEE MCCAFFERTY “You may also be worried about your kids being autistic, and I think we should talk about this too. They’re still figuring out the causes (I’m hoping if I make it to one hundred they’ll have it figured out, it’s a goal,) but genetics definitely plays a part.” Dear Future Daughter-in-law, For the record, I’m planning on still being around when my son marries you, but I was pretty damn old when […]

Youth Empowerment Groups Encourage Self-Advocacy

Groups for youth and young adults may provide opportunity for building a foundation of skills to address core concepts that enable youth to have meaningful participation in the process of planning for their own futures. BY ERIN SEIGH AND LAUREN AGORATUS, M.A. Students with disabilities need to learn how to advocate for themselves in order to foster independence when transitioning to adult life. Groups that encourage the voices of youth and young adults can help […]