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Mental health Support 988 Hotline By Kelly Jean Sullivan

      <amp-auto-ads type="adsense" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1763189992875486"> </amp-auto-ads> Lets decrease the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health issues Suicide is a leading cause of death in the U.S., according to statistics gathered by the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC). Nearly 46,000 individuals died by suicide in the U.S. in 2020 and some 12.2 million American adults contemplated it.  individuals experiencing mental health crises in the United States have had to call a 10-digit phone number to connect with someone who can help. Soon, they’ll be able to dial a much shorter code in times of crisis: 988.  individuals will be able to call, text or online chat the number 988 to get in touch with trained counselors with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. Those experts are available to listen, offer support and share additional resources. More than 200 local crisis centers across the country make up the

Teacher wellness By Kelly Jean Sullivan

     <amp-auto-ads type="adsense" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1763189992875486"> </amp-auto-ads> What can be done to support teacher wellness? Self-care strategies, such as mindfulness, meditation, exercise, and setting personal goals, are skills that can and need to be taught and practiced. Just as with academic skills, we need to use learning principles—cycles of practice, feedback, and application—so teachers can learn the skills connected to well-being

Autism and Executive Functioning skills By Kelly Jean Sullivan

   <amp-auto-ads type="adsense" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1763189992875486"> </amp-auto-ads> How does autism affect executive function? Many people with autism have difficulty with executive functioning.  They may have trouble with certain skills like planning, staying organized, sequencing information, and self-regulating emotions . Some people pay attention to minor details, but have trouble seeing how these details fit into a bigger picture How do executive functioning skills teach autism? Plan Backwards, Execute Forward .  Using visuals, show your child what the finished product (i.e., being ready in the morning) looks like . If your child is able, help them talk about what it would feel like when they are ready in time and prepared for the day. This step helps your child develop their future thinking. What are the 7 executive functioning skills? Executive functioning skills facilitate the behaviors required to plan and achieve goals. The fundam

Calming Strategies for Students with autism By Kelly Jean Sullivan

     <amp-auto-ads type="adsense" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1763189992875486"> </amp-auto-ads> What to do during a very loud, very public meltdown Be empathetic. Empathy means listening and acknowledging their struggle without judgment. ... Make them feel safe and loved. ... Eliminate punishments. ... Focus on your child, not staring bystanders. ... Break out your sensory toolkit. ... Teach them coping strategies once they're calm How can I help an autistic person relax? We have some great tips that are specifically implemented in ESDM ABA therapy. Don't reinforce the challenging behaviors. . Use precise simple language. . Help to verbally express their emotions. . Sing preferred songs. . Create a calm corner (bean bags, dim lighting, sensory toys) . Take deep breathes. . Count to 10 How can I help my autistic child calm down in the classroom? How to Calm a Child with Autism in the Classroom Stick to a Routine. Perhaps the best way to keep a

Autism Movie Picks By Kelly Jean Sullivan

    <amp-auto-ads type="adsense" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1763189992875486"> </amp-auto-ads> Owen is a rambunctious and happy toddler. The three-year-old is talkative and playful with his older brother, Walt. With no concerns about the development of their young boys, Ron and Cornelia Suskind are blindsided one morning in 1993 when Owen’s growing vocabulary suddenly dwindles down to one word: “juice.” It is as if Owen completely regressed overnight. Every social, verbal, and mental skill seems to have disappeared. The Suskinds take their son to a medical professional, who then refers them to a specialist, who tells them the news that would forever change their family: Owen is on the autism spectrum