Strategies for Behavior Development

Have you ever walked away from a live rock concert feeling completely spent? I have. As an Autistic adult who loves the energy of rock and metal music, I know firsthand how electrifying yet exhausting these experiences can be. And it isn’t just the concerts—attending a friend’s wedding can trigger t...

Impulse control - the ability to pause, think, and act intentionally rather than reactively - is an essential skill for children to learn as they grow. For some kids, managing impulses can be especially challenging, often manifesting as difficulty waiting their turn, interrupting others, or struggli...

If you’ve spent time in the autistic community, you may have heard the term gestalt language learner or gestalt language processors. This describes individuals who acquire language in chunks or “scripts” rather than learning one word at a time. What you may not know is that gestalt processing extend...

Could you run a marathon today? I certainly can’t! For most of us, the answer is a resounding “no.” Running a marathon requires training, patience, and persistence. Interestingly, waiting shares many of these same principles. Just as running a marathon is a skill that must be developed over time, so...

Picture this: Little Emma is eagerly waiting to go to the park. When her mom says, "We'll go later," Emma bursts into tears, convinced that "later" means "never." This meltdown highlights a common issue for many children—difficulties with chronoception, or the sense of time perception.

Chronoceptio...

I remember the years when my nephew would come to my house for holiday get-togethers. He would do fine until he started to get overstimulated because we had a large family. Then he would get tearful, hyper, clumsy, etc. He wasn’t being bad, but he was struggling. One time, I brought my mini-trampoli...

Mornings can feel chaotic for children with ADHD. Transforming frantic starts into calm, structured, and even enjoyable routines can set a positive tone for the whole day. The following ADHD morning routines strategies explain why each approach works and offer practical tips to put them into practic...

When a child swears, it can be surprising and unsettling for parents. However, understanding the reasons behind this behavior and responding thoughtfully can transform a challenging moment into a valuable teaching opportunity. Here's how to approach the situation effectively and empathetically.

 
Ch...

Does brushing your child's hair feel like trying to put a dress on an alligator? Hair care is a very common source of stress for families.

As an autistic person with fibromyalgia, there are days when brushing my hair is just too painful, or I'm too weak to lift my arms. My daughter used to struggle...

Young children are notorious for not being able to manage their emotions. But emotional regulation is an abstract concept that can be hard to teach. Children can build emotional regulation through co-regulation, interoception, playful deep breathing, Breathe Think Do routines, affirmations, sensory ...

Ever wish bedtime felt more like “Goodnight Moon” instead of “Go the F to Sleep”? Do you feel one more bedtime battle away from your own meltdown? If meltdowns and tantrums are hijacking your days and your evenings, you’re in the right place. This article shares a universal framework you can use to ...

One day, my daughter came home from school, dropped her backpack like it was a hot potato, and dramatically flopped onto the couch. With the flair of a seasoned actor, she sighed deeply and declared, “Mom, I used up all my good behavior at school. There’s none left for home!”

This is a completely m...