Autism-Talk

Many parents notice this pattern early. Their child clearly wants something — a snack, a toy, a turn on the tablet, or help opening a container — but instead of asking, they may cry, grab, scream, or become overwhelmed. It can feel confusing and frustrating. You might even wonder: Do they know how to ask? The truth is that requesting is a skill , and like many social-communication skills, it often needs to be taught explicitly  for autistic children. Difficulties with communi

Visual supports may seem simple, but for many autistic children, they offer structure when emotions feel overwhelming. For many autistic children, visual supports help with emotional regulation in autism  because they make emotions, body signals, and coping strategies more concrete, predictable, and easier to understand. When feelings are big, language often isn’t enough. Visuals give children something steady to return to. Grab your free taking turns social story here. In th

TL;DR Summary Sharing is one of the most critical early social skills but can be especially hard for autistic children. Begin small: less-preferred items, short sharing times, and with adults first. Use visuals like wait mats, token boards, and worksheets to make sharing concrete. Teach different ways to share (taking turns, dividing, using together, trading). Reinforce sharing with praise, bracelets, or sticker/token boards. Use social stories, adapted books, and worksheets

Autism and Group Learning TL;DR (Quick Takeaways) Many autistic children struggle with traditional group times because they are not developmentally ready , even if they are bright in other areas. Typical 4–5-year-olds may only be able to sit for a few minutes—so lower your expectations and build up gradually 【McClelland et al., 2007】. Try staggered circle times  so younger learners join briefly, then transition out. Use strengths, preferences, and visuals  to keep children en

Teaching school rules to neurodivergent students is easier with visuals. This post shares how to use social stories, rule posters, and positive behavior supports to help autistic children understand what’s expected at school. Learn how to keep rules simple, visual, and consistent.

Wondering how to prepare your autistic child for the first day of school? These 7 back-to-school social stories cover everything from saying goodbye to parents to riding the bus and handling fire drills. Social stories help reduce anxiety by explaining what to expect—using simple language and real photos your child can relate to. Whether you're a parent or teacher, these visual supports can make school transitions smoother and more predictable for neurodivergent learners.

How do i stop my autistic kids from fighting? Summary Sibling conflict is more intense when autism, anxiety, and sensory needs are involved. Social stories, visuals, “I” statements, and family problem-solving all help. Tools like conflict resolution posters and worksheets teach repair skills. Two free downloads are linked below to help you get started. Supporting positive autism sibling relationships  takes time—but it’s possible. Table of Contents Why Autism Sibling Conflict

🕒 Time to Read:  ~8 minutes TL;DR Summary Holidays can overwhelm autistic children due to sensory overload and routine changes. Social skill stories  prepare kids for new experiences in a gentle, predictable way. Use stories before  events to teach expectations and coping tools. Pair stories with visual supports  and calming routines. Focus on connection over perfection — your child’s comfort comes first. Table of Contents Why Holidays Can Be Overwhelming for Autistic Kids

Toilet training is rarely a smooth journey—and if your child is autistic or has communication delays, it can feel like an uphill climb....

Using a First-Then Board: A Simple Autism Visual Support Table of Contents Introduction Why First-Then Boards Work for Autism Visual...

Children with autism can face obstacles when it comes to handwashing. Battling the flu, One Handwash at a Time As a mother of four, I've...

Autism and Fear of the Toilet Flush I have a 14-year-old who still doesn’t flush the toilet if he can at all help it. While I haven’t...

Choosing a visual schedule can be overwhelming because there are so many styles. Which Kind of Visual Schedule Should I Use for My...

Mini Activity Schedules: How They Can Help Your Autistic Child If you’re familiar with visual schedules, you already know how helpful...

Social skill stories can be a great tool for parents and teachers of autistic children. These stories explain everyday situations, social sk

Halloween can be a fun time, but for children with autism, the holiday can also be overwhelming. The sights, sounds, and new social interact

Play based learning is an ideal way to work on language and social skills for autistic children. The Power of Play-based Learning in Autism Have you ever wondered why your child always seems to be playing at her preschool or pre-kindergarten program, or searched tirelessly for the best program that will focus on teaching your 4- or 5-year-old "real skills" like letters and numbers? This concern can be even more pronounced if you have a child with a diagnosis such as autism, w

Table of Contents: Introduction The Importance of Teaching Children to Recognize and Manage Strong Feelings Concrete Conflict Resolution Systems Modeling and Role-Playing Utilizing Social Stories Using Visual Supports for Effective Conflict Resolution Remaining Calm as a Parent and Allowing Independence Conclusion Introduction: As a parent of four children, navigating conflicts among them is one of my biggest challenges, especially as summer approaches and we are all together

How Can We Celebrate World Kindness Day? I love the idea of "World Kindness Day" but as a past early childhood special education teacher and current autism parent I really struggled with ways to make the day meaningful. The more I thought about it, though, I realized at the heart of kindness is empathy. For children with autism, however, understanding empathy can be a real challenge due to many reasons. Despite the challenges, as a neurodiverse parent of several children, I

The holiday season is a time of joy, festivities, and family gatherings. However, for parents of children with autism, it often comes with unique challenges that can make these celebrations feel overwhelming. The hustle and bustle, sensory stimuli, and numerous social interactions can pose stresses for children on the autism spectrum. Understanding these challenges is the first step in ensuring a smoother experience for both the child and the family. Children with autism may