Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from April, 2022

Autism and The Arts by Kelly Jean Sullivan

    <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1763189992875486" Art fits naturally with autism in that it can help those with autism express themselves through images while also being a soothing activity . Face to face interactions, such as conversations can be stressful for those with autism, which makes it difficult to understand what the individual is feeling or thinking Just some of the ways in which art therapy is useful to children on the autism spectrum include:  Enhanced communication through creative expression . Improved imagination and greater abstract thinking. The ability to build stronger relationships while encouraging children with autism to see other people's perspectives. Are autistic kids more artistic? New research has found that  people with high levels of autistic traits are more likely to produce unusually creative ideas . Summary: People with high levels of autistic traits are more likely to

Calming Crafts for Summer for Students with Autism By Kelly Jean Sullivan

  <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1763189992875486" What can autistic kids do in the summer? Top 10 Summer Activities for Children on the Autism Spectrum Host a character day. . Create water games. . Go to a movie.In the summer many cities offer movie tickets at a discounted rate.  Learn yoga. . Make homemade ice cream. . Set up an arts and craft station. . Go on a scavenger hunt. What are good activities for autism? 7 Fun Sensory Activities for Kids With Autism Make a Sensory Bottle: . Try Coin Rubbing: . Thread Edible Jewelry: . Create a Sensory Collage: . Incredible Ice Painting: . Boost Your Brain With a Smelling Game:  Play the Magical Matching Game: What activities are good for Aspergers? Many children with Asperger's develop strong interests and talents in areas such as  art, music, or photography . Some have a very good report with animals, so something such as horseback riding lessons might be ben

Reading Comprehension and Autism By kelly Jean Sullivan

  Can autism affect reading comprehension? People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience reading comprehension difficulties , often misinterpreting complex texts, metaphors, and idioms  <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1763189992875486" How can I help my autistic child with reading comprehension? The following comprehension strategies may help some students gain comprehension skills and improve their ability to read and communicate about written material. Build background knowledge.  Think aloud. . Drama. . Reciprocal teaching. . Retelling. What is the best reading program for autism? Reading Eggs  is the multi‑award winning online reading program that helps children of all abilities learn how to read. The program can be a great way to support children with autism, and features visually engaging lessons and self‑paced activities that progress at a steady pace

Body Dysmorphia and Social Media By Kelly Jean Sullivan

   <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1763189992875486" How does social media affect body dysmorphia? With body dysmorphia,  social media can trigger obsessive thoughts about appearance . Their feed may be full of people looking “perfect”, which can be a constant reminder of their perceived flaws. This can lead to compulsive actions to try to remediate the issue. How does Instagram affect body dysmorphia? There are a variety of factors that could lead to eating disorders, but scrolling through an app and seeing edited and airbrushed bodies can definitely lower self-esteem and lead to body dysmorphia.  Instagram can provide a toxic mirror through which young women view their bodies in a distorted fashion <amp-auto-ads type="adsense" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1763189992875486"> </amp-auto-ads> Is body dysmorphia a social issue? Body dysmorphic disorder is a mental health conditi

Autism Jobs and JP Morgan Chase by Kelly Jean Sullivan

 <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1763189992875486" A majority of people with autism are unemployed — despite exceptional technical talent and professional abilities. prominent companies lik e JP Morgan Chase are  nationwide actively recruit people on the spectrum.  Finally m ore employers are starting to recognize the value of the untapped talent of the autism community. JPMorgan Chase’s Autism at Work program has helped the company fill a talent gap in its software engineering and quality assurance departments.  When the program first started in 2015, a cohort of five employees on the spectrum were hired. Within the first six months, those employees were 48% more productive than employees not on the spectrum who had been at the same job three to ten years.

Selfitis A Mental Health Disorder By Kelly Jean Sullivan

<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1763189992875486" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> Selfitis is an obsessive-compulsive desire to take photos by oneself and post those on social media, e.g. on Facebook to make up for the lack of self-esteem and to fill an intimacy gap. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has officially confirmed that  taking 'Selfies' is a mental disorder . Is Selfitis a mental disorder? If you are obsessed with selfies, chances are that you might have “selfitis”. Psychologists say  selfitis is a genuine mental condition  that makes a person feel compelled to co What are the behavioral symptoms of Selfitis? How Does Selfitis Affect Mental Health? Loneliness. Unconscious cry for help. Obsessed with self and oblivious to other people's opinions or needs. Highly attention seeking. Difficult relations with family and friends. Addiction tendencies. Lacking

ADHD and Transitions By Kelly Jean Sullivan

  <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1763189992875486"      crossorigin="anonymous"></script> Why are transitions so hard with ADHD? Children with ADHD have a hard time switching their attention from one thing to another. It makes sense, then, that they may become upset during transitions. This is especially true if they need to stop doing something that is particularly rewarding for them, since  their brains react strongly to rewards <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1763189992875486" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> How can I help my ADHD child with transitions? Use alarms and timers . They help your child see time count down and therefore make for smoother transitions. Make sure to set the timer for an odd number of minutes. Setting a timer for a typical amount of time, say 15 or 20 minutes is

OCD Types By Kelly Jean Sullivan

<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1763189992875486"      crossorigin="anonymous"></script>   Types  of  OCD  · Checking · Contamination / Mental Contamination · Symmetry and ordering · Ruminations / Intrusive Thoughts · Hoarding. Based on the nature of the sym ptoms experienced OCD can be divided into different OCD subtypes.  There are  five main categories of OCD and numerous subtypes within each category . So, before you connect with an expert, ensure to know what are the 5 types of OCD: Contamination Is OCD a type of anxiety? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder,  OCD, is an anxiety disorder  and is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and/or repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

Autism and Trying New Foods By Kelly Jean Sullivan

  For example,  many children with autism dislike trying new things . In psychology, we call this neophobia. If a child seems afraid or wary of new foods, think of ways to manage this anxiety. For example, instead of asking the child to taste the new food outright, try a stepwise approach How do I get my autistic child to try new things? Praise and reward your child when they're flexible and try to cope with these changes . If your child finds it hard to switch between activities, try slowly adding new activities, one at a time. For example, you might want your child to learn to stop what they're doing and move to a new activity when you ask <amp-auto-ads type="adsense" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1763189992875486"> </amp-auto-ads> Is Picky Eating autism? Even though picky eating is a common problem, research suggests that it's usually a temporary and normal part of development. However,  children with autism often have more chronic feedin

Setting Boundaries and Autism By Kelly Jean Sullivan

<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1763189992875486"      crossorigin="anonymous"></script>   Where to Get Started Setting Boundaries with Your Autistic Child Set an Outer Limit. Instead of restricting your child to very few things, set an outer limit Create Goals for All Members of the Home and Stick with Them. Make a Decision and Stick to It Focus on What You Have To.  Afford the Time for Learning and Growing How do you set boundaries with autistic friends? Support your friend if they ask for help. Be sensitive to what they want and need, not just how you think they should improve or behave. Try not to talk over or about them when others are around. Help them work on social skills by trying to engage them in conversations with yourself and others

Using Mandalas with Students with Autism By Kelly Jean Sullivan

  <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1763189992875486"      crossorigin="anonymous"></script> Coloring, in particular, mandalas promotes well-being at all ages. For children is an activity that  helps develop hand-eye coordination, trains the mind to recognize shapes, develops creativity, stimulates the sense of patience and attention, helps the development of intelligence and reasoning What do mandalas teach children? Carl Jung said that a mandala symbolizes "a safe refuge of inner reconciliation and wholeness." One of the reasons we enjoy making mandalas with children is because of their ephemeral nature. Like most nature art, ephemeral nature art can teach your child that  not everything we value has to be material Mandalas are traditionally used in many eastern spiritual traditions as a tool to aid meditation. In western culture, mental health counselors often use mandalas  as a f

Collage Art for Autism By Kelly Jean Sullivan

  <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1763189992875486"      crossorigin="anonymous"></script> Why are collages good for kids? Collage is a wonderful place to start, especially for young children because  it nurtures their natural desire to explore the world through their sense of touch . It also allows a certain level of flexibility Why is a collage important? Collage and paper art are very important to children in this period because  art helps them to develop their reasoning, creative, imaginative, and problem solving skills . Doing art enhances their motor skills, hand and eye coordination, and helps them to make cognitive advances such as learning proportions.

Tangrams and Autism By Kelly Jean Sullivan

<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1763189992875486"      crossorigin="anonymous"></script> There are many benefits to playing with Tangrams. They can be used to develop problem-solving and logical thinking skills, perceptual reasoning (nonverbal thinking skills), visual-spatial awareness, creativity and many mathematical concepts such as congruency, symmetry, area, perimeter, and geometry Like opens in a new windowbuilding blocks, tangrams can teach kids about  opens in a new windowspatial relationships . They may help kids learn geometric terms, and develop stronger problem solving abilities Why are puzzles good for kids with autism? Puzzles are highly appealing to children with autism.  They offer opportunities to help children develop problem solving skills, and provide visual stimulation . Oftentimes children with autism think in pictures rather than words, so puzzles offer them a creative