If you are the parent of a child with autism, you might be very busy with managing the here and now. We spend a lot of mental energy looking for and maintaining services like daycare, education, and therapy. Thinking about your child’s life as an independent adult might seem far away…or it might be something you worry about. Last week, […]
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Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. Desmond Tutu Lately there has been a lot of online discussion about the challenges of parenting children with autism, and responses that raise concerns about the damage that can be done by parents who publicly focus on the struggle they have with their child. The […]
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Lots of people think that Speech-Language Pathologists just help children who lisp. Helping kids to speak clearly is important, but we do a lot more! We evaluate and treat communication disorders in everyone from young children to elderly adults. We help people communicate effectively, from learning first words to the subtleties of effective conversation. We help children understand language, talk […]
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ADAPT exists to help parents learn more about developmental therapies for supporting children with autism. This fall, Community Living Manitoba offered us a grant to do just that. ADAPT has used the opportunity to create two documents: A brochure for parents of newly diagnosed children, offering encouragement and perspective, with a little advice on how to keep the wellness of […]
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Aleasha Whenham lives in rural Manitoba with her husband Jason and her 12-year-old son Jake, who was diagnosed with Salla disease, a rare genetic condition that results in a global developmental delay. She considers her family fortunate to be able to learn about RDI through the RELATE program. This reflection on parenting is shared from her blog, I Dream Things […]
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In September 2017, CTV Montreal reported on Ellis, a minimally-verbal boy with autism. The story was that one day, his parents discovered that Ellis “could think, could talk, through pictures.” His father had begun drawing household items and simple situations in an effort to connect, and Ellis drew back in response. Over time, Ellis also began to make changes to […]
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When my children were quite young, I tried to take them to places other little kids liked – parks, malls, the Children’s Museum at the Forks. Unfortunately for us, while my friends’ children were happy to run around and play and explore, my children found busy spaces quite overwhelming. Lots of noise, lots of stuff to see and process, and […]
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Erin: “Okay _____, it is your turn to sing.” Student: “Hmm, I think I will let my brain sing this one.” Erin: “Has it started? I would like to hear you.” Student: “Shh, it’s singing on the inside. I have to press the button to make it sing on the outside.” Music is a natural part of daily life. It […]
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Building Bridges Through Sensory Integration: Therapy for Children with Autism and Other Pervasive Developmental Disorders by Ellen Yack, Paula Aquilla, and Shirley Sutton Building Bridges Through Sensory Integration is a book written by three occupational therapists. Their goal is to offer a resource to explain what role sensory differences play in autism, and what occupational therapists can do to help […]
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The Christmas season is upon us! We all like making and enjoying seasonal traditions, but sometimes things can be overwhelming for kids who have sensory differences. The following activities are autism-friendly, in the sense that it’s possible to find quiet spaces when you need one, or choose how much time you want to spend, or choose times when things are […]
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