Kids Master Skills

Autistic children often have intense passions that they value dearly. Growing up, mine included poodles, bats, outer space, and any simple - or complex - craft projects with yarn. However, specific and highly focused interests in autism are often pathologized. Parents and teachers may be encouraged to discourage interests which are "all-consuming" or "a waste of a child's time". Yet, "all-consuming" is part of the autistic experience. And having passionate interests is one of the joys of autism. In fact, this type of strong interest has a name: Monotropic interest. Rather than pathologizing monotropic interests, we should encourage them, and even build relationships and advance learning by honoring these interests and encouraging autistic students to embrace them. With a little creativity and some out-of-the-box thinking, monotropic interests can be incorporated into the day-to-day lives of our autistic children and students! This visual is a start and shares some ideas for respecting an autistic child's interests. What ideas am I missing??? How do you support the monotropic interests of autistic children in your life??? Let me know in the comments! #occupationaltherapy #SBOT #schoolbasedot #cota #autism #sensoryprocessing #sensorysupport #sensoryintegration #autism #neurodivergent #speechtherapy #autismparent #autismmom #autismteacher #actuallyautistic #neurodiversity #neurodiversityaffirming #ndaffirming #ndaffirmingot #ndaffirmingtherapy #sensoryprocessing #sensoryprocessingdisorder #monotropism #SPED #SPEDparent #SPEDteacher #autismawareness #westlakevillageparents #thousandoaksparents #bostonparents

As all children develop, they learn to make sense of the world around them. This includes understanding and processing sensory information from many different environments and settings. When compared to non-autistic children, autistic kids typically struggle more to integrate sensations such as sounds, visual information, and the feelings of touch as they interact with the world. When autistic kids have difficulty processing sensory information, they can quickly become dysregulated. Over time, near constant dysregulation can lead to long-term anxiety and stress. As caring and loving adults in their lives it is our obligation to understand how they process sensory information and to support their unique sensory needs. Far too often the "behaviors" we see are simply the outward sign of internal angst. Too much noise, too much visual stimulation, too much sensory information coming from their own bodies can have a cumulative effect. How do you support the sensory needs of autistic children in your life? #occupationaltherapy #SBOT #schoolbasedot #cota #autism #sensoryprocessing #sensorysupport #sensoryintegration #autism #neurodivergent #speechtherapy #autismparent #autismmom #autismteacher #actuallyautistic #neurodiversity #neurodiversityaffirming #ndaffirming #ndaffirmingot #ndaffirmingtherapy #sensoryprocessing #sensoryprocessingdisorder #spd #SPED #SPEDparent #SPEDteacher #autismawareness #westlakevillageparents #thousandoaksparents #bostonparents

Hello to therapists, teachers, and parents who are looking for an ethical and more respectful approach to support autistic students. As an occupational therapist, I have created 10 Neurodiversity-Affirming Posters with guidelines for honoring the unique neurology of autistic students and to best engage kids' autonomy. Also included in this packet are 3 information pages that explain neurodiversity-affirming practice. To get your ND-Affirming Posters go to the link in my bio OR copy and paste this link into your browser: https://lnkd.in/gcMn6HAw Let's truly improve the way we understand, encourage, and respect our autistic children and students, building joy in their day to day lives! Share in the comments . . . what is one nd-affirming approach you will prioritize today??? Please repost this and spread the word! #occupationaltherapy #sbot #ota #cota #autism #OT #schoolbasedot #autistic #autismacceptance #autismawareness #ndaffirmingpractice #ndaffirmingot #ndaffirmingslp #ndaffirminggoals #neurodiversity #neurodiversitymodel #neurodiversityeducation #bostonuniversity #neurodiversityaffirming #neurodivergent #neurodiverse #sargentcollege #westlakevillageparents #thousandoaksparents#speechtherapy #spedteacher #spedparent #autismteacher #autismparent

Do you know toddlers and young children who are struggling to cope with a busy world, post-pandemic? Too much time at home while exposed to too few people has been a challenge for some families of youngsters. These children may be frightened of strangers and extended family members alike, or they may be terrified of busy places like shopping malls or large family get-togethers. As OTs, some of us are working with children who present in this manner. If you're like me, you may be using sensory strategies to support their arousal state, such as through providing calming or alerting input to better enable them to cope with busy environments. Or, you may be helping parents to scaffold outings, so children are presented with only the challenges they are ready to face. I wanted to share this visual that I made with approaches I use with my EI clients that I fondly call my pandemic babies. Let me know if this is helpful to you in your practice as well! #occupationaltherapy #SBOT #pediot #pediatricot #parentsoftoddlers #sensoryprocessing #SPD

Transitions can be challenging for children of all ages, whether they are autistic or neurotypical. Developing consistent and effective transition strategies not only enables kids to get on with their day and to shift from task to task as needed, but smooth transitions cultivate their emotional regulation overall. No child wants to feel upset and dysregulated for any amount of time. As we work to co-regulate our kids - helping them transition happily from task to task - we are supporting development of their self-regulation. As they experience more positive transitions, they will feel calmer and more safe in home and school environments. And this builds a foundation of joy and meaning in their lives! #occupationaltherapy #SBOT #schoolbasedoccupationaltherapist #schoolbasedot #autismparent #preschoolteacher #earlychildhoodeducation #earlyintervention #sensoryprocessingdisorder #selfregulation #occupationaltherapyassistant #transitions #autismparent #autismfamilysupport #autismmom #autismteachersofinstagram #preschoolteachersofinstagram #kindergardenteacher #copingstrategies #specialeducation #spedteacher #spedtribe #neurodivergent #neurodiversity #emotionalregulation #westlakevillagemoms #thousandoaksmoms

In order to attend, to engage, to learn, and to enjoy life, any child must feel emotionally regulated. Kids must find safety in their environment and comfort and predictability with the people and the expectations before them. When an autistic child feels distressed to the point of emotional dysregulation, we must co-regulate and support them. Our first job is to help kids' parasympathetic (calming and regulating) nervous systems kick in, so they shift back to a more comfortable and relaxed state. Our second very important job is to support them as they learn about their own emotions and as they master how to better understand themselves and to cope in the day to day. How do you support autistic children when it comes to emotional regulation? #occupationaltherapy #SBOT #schoolbasedot #cota #autism #autismsupport #emotionalregulation #autism #neurodivergent #speechtherapy #autismparent #autismmom #autismteacher #actuallyautistic #neurodiversity #neurodiversityaffirming #ndaffirming #ndaffirmingot #ndaffirmingtherapy #neurodivergence #sensoryprocessing #sensoryprocessingdisorder #spd #SPED #SPEDparent #SPEDteacher #autismawareness #westlakevillageparents #thousandoaksparents #bostonparents

Do you know toddlers and young children who are struggling to cope with a busy world, post-pandemic? Too much time at home while exposed to too few people has been a challenge for some families of youngsters. These children may be frightened of strangers and extended family members alike, or they may be terrified of busy places like shopping malls or large family get-togethers. As OTs, some of us are working with children who present in this manner. If you're like me, you may be using sensory strategies to support their arousal state, such as through providing calming or alerting input to better enable them to cope with busy environments. Or, you may be helping parents to scaffold outings, so children are presented with only the challenges they are ready to face. I wanted to share this visual that I made with approaches I use with my EI clients that I fondly call my pandemic babies. Let me know if this is helpful to you in your practice as well! #occupationaltherapy #SBOT #pediot #pediatricot #sensoryprocessing #sensoryprocessingdisorder #SPD #pandemicbabies #parentsoftoddlers

Can you create IEPs that are neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based? Yes, absolutely you can! For over a year, I have been designing two neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based resources - a goal bank and an accommodations bank - which are truly novel and "one of a kind"! DM me or post in the comments to get the link for both of these resources to support autistic and neurodivergent students. An IEP is a legal document, with goals and accommodations meant to guarantee neurodivergent students the support they need to thrive in school. But IEPs are typically ableist. Their goals and accommodations often trigger distress in students and cause long-term trauma, burnout, and even school refusal. My two neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based resources are for OTs and parents who are determined to step away from ableist approaches that ignore how autistic and neurodivergent students process information and engage in learning. As an autism advocate and autistic myself, I am passionate about affirming students' unique neurology and strengths. My goal bank provides you with a STRAIGHTFORWARD TEACHING TEMPLATE for writing and individualizing neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based goals. Also, you will get over 300 collaborative school-based goals. My accommodations bank (with 200+ accommodations) includes COMPREHENSIVE GUIDELINES that show you exactly what goal areas are vital for autistic and neurodivergent students and how to individualize these supports. #sbot #schoolbasedot #cota #pediOT #occupationaltherapist #pediatricOT #autism #autismgoals #autismeducation #Autistic #schoolbasedslp #slpgoals #otgoals #ndaffirmingpractice #ndaffirming #ndaffirmingslp #ndaffirmingeducation #ndaffirminggoals #neurodiversity #neurodiversityeducation #classroomgoals #IEPgoals #IEP #bostonuniversity #sargentcollege #westlakevillageparents #IEP #thousandoaksparents #occupationaltherapy #speechtherapy

Anxiety is prevalent in autistic populations, and it negatively impacts quality of life. Let's build calm and joy and feelings of safety in the lives of our students, clients, and children. How do you improve the lives of autistic children? Share in the comments! #occupationaltherapy #sbot #schoolbasedot #cota #ota #speechtherapy #neurodivergent #neurodivergence #autism #actuallyautistic #autismmom #autismteacher #spedteacher #spedparent #thousandoaksparents #westlakevillageparents #bostonparents

In order for any child to succeed in school, they must feel safe, regulated, seen and heard, and must feel invested in meaningful learning tasks. Autistic children may or may not be able to handle the multiple demands of handwriting instruction and mastery. So, we should look at our students as individuals and accommodate their skills, interests, and needs! How do you support autistic children when it comes to written output? #occupationaltherapy #SBOT #schoolbasedot #cota #speechtherapy #autismparent #autismmom #autismteacher #actuallyautistic #neurodiversity #neurodiversityaffirming #ndaffirming #ndaffirmingot #ndaffirmingtherapy #neurodivergence #transitions #sensoryprocessing #sensoryprocessingdisorder #spd #SPED #SPEDparent #SPEDteacher #autismawareness #westlakevillageparents #thousandoaksparents #bostonparents