By Jennifer Lingle, M.Ed. Most parents are familiar with using reinforcers—giving children positive feedback, and having a reward system in place to encourage appropriate behavior. Some children will not complete a 10-piece puzzle unless they are rewarded with verbal reinforcement, such as “Good job! Way to go!” As children get older, you may notice that [...]
Read More behavior, motivation, rewards
By Jennifer Lingle, M.Ed. Please note: I am going to refer to your child as a boy. If you have a daughter, please know that this is for you too. It gets confusing switching between genders. So here we go. Do you eat at home with your family every evening because it is easier [...]
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By Jennifer Lingle, M.Ed. How to keep your child calm when you need a ten-minute break It can be very challenging for parents of children with Autism to do a simple task, like cooking dinner for example, without worrying that their child is going to run out the door. Sometimes they feel like they can’t [...]
Read More autism, behavior, calm, parents
By Jennifer Lingle, M.Ed. From information gathered from interviews and surveys, many parents expressed that hygiene issues are one of their biggest concerns. Children with Autism sometimes experience a breakdown in understanding the importance of cleanliness. They do not automatically understand that if they don’t shower, germs may make them sick, and when they smell [...]
Read More bath time, behavior, hygiene, routine
By Jennifer Lingle, M.Ed. Do you dread taking your child to the dentist because you worry that he may have a HUGE meltdown? Try using the following strategies to prepare your child for his check up and teeth cleaning. Find a good, and preferably a recommended pediatric dentist in your area. Meet with the dentist first [...]
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By Jennifer Lingle Parents often tell me that their children with Autism have food issues. They say that their children are sensitive to certain foods, and can be very picky eaters. This article addresses three reasons why children with Autism can be picky eaters, followed by suggestions on how to help your child to eat [...]
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By Jennifer Lingle, M.Ed. When out for lunch one day, a lovely older couple and their daughter sat down in a booth near us. They went up to the buffet to fill up their plates as a family, and the daughter returned to the table first. She sat down, put her plate on the table [...]
Read More eating out with children, general courtesy, table manners
Your child’s teacher spends five days, and approximately 35-hours with your child each week. School is practically his second home. The teacher is there to help your child grow mentally and emotionally, and in addition to academics, she teaches your child many life-, social-, and communication skills in his classroom environment. It is therefore very [...]
Read More behavior, special interests, special needs, teachers
Is it difficult for your child to sit still for more than 30 seconds? Do you laugh at the thought of going to the movies with your child, because he may only stay in his seat as long as the popcorn lasts, if that long? Does your child’s teacher send home notes about his constant [...]
Read More behavior, communication, games for kids, sensory issues