What is the Yippee/TBH creature?
Posted by Grace Arnwine on Sep 19th 2023
What is the Yippee/TBH creature?
If you’ve browsed the internet, you may or may not be aware of a new symbol that is gaining popularity in the autism community. The image, which began circulat…
What is a Sensory Toy and How Can they Help?
Posted by Bonnie Arnwine on Apr 28th 2023
Sensory toys, my family loves them and so do I. I love sensory based play because it is beneficial for all children and it's lots of fun.
What is a sensory toy?
Sensory toys come in many dif…
Why do Some Kids Chew on their Clothes, Hair or Pencils?
Mar 7th 2023
Five Reasons Why Your Child May Be Chewing on Everything
Is your child chewing on their hair, clothes, or pencils? This behavior can be frustrating and expensive,…
Visual Cue Cards: What They Are and How to Use Them
Jan 11th 2023
Visual cue cards are a proven visual support tool that visually communicates a need or a behavioral expectation. Four of the most commonly used cue cards are: Take a Break, I Need Help, Stop, and Wait…
Helping Children Make Sense of Mixed Together Feelings
Posted by Lory Britain, PhD Early Childhood Education on Nov 14th 2022
“Grandma, I'm smad!”The phone rings. It is from my then nine-year-old granddaughter who says, “Grandma, I am so SMAD”. I ask Morgan to tell me more. “I am MAD that my parents made me go to my room…
5 Sensory Tips for Parents
Posted by Britt Collins M.S. OTR/L on Jul 5th 2022
With your child going back to school, your child may be experiencing anxiety, stress, excitement, nervous feelings and more. You may also be experiencing those same feelings. Here are some sensory t…
5 Sensory Tips for Teachers
Posted by Britt Collins M.S., OTR/L on Jun 22nd 2022
It's back to school and the children are arriving and you have spent all this time decorating your classroom. During the first week, you notice that one of your kids is squinting at the board and doe…
How to Use a Break Card in Your Classroom
Jun 7th 2022
A simple technique you can use with your students is a Break card. When a student begins feeling stressed or overwhelmed they can use a break card to remove themselves from the situation. This…
Helping Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Sleep Better
Posted by By Terry Katz, PhD and Beth Ann Malow, MD, MS on Jun 1st 2022
Sleep is essential for positive performance in daily activities and a positive mood. Children on the autism spectrum face many challenges each day. It's essential that they are rested so that t…
Simple Ideas to Help Parents Support IEP Goals at Home and in the Community
Posted by Joan Green, Autism Education Specialist on May 16th 2022
Young children with special needs often have similar goals, for example: matching, identifying, labeling, sorting, counting, categorizing, colors, numbers, letters, shapes, sounds, and fine/…
5 Strategies to Help Students with Transitions
Posted by Bonnie Arnwine on Apr 15th 2022
Teachers often share with us that transitioning from one activity to another during the school day can be challenging for students on the spectrum. As a parent I can tell you this is also true at h…
How to Use a 5-point Scale to Help Evaluate Problems
Posted by Kari Dunn Buron MS, Autism Education Specialist on Mar 21st 2022
According to the CDC 9.4 percent of children ages 3-17 have a diagnosis of anxiety and 8.9% of students have behavior problems. This data is based on 2016-2019 data. (1) Since this data was gathered a…
Participate in Research—Join ResearchMatch
Posted by Rose Kegler Hallarn of The Ohio State University Center for Clinical and Translational Science Program Director, Clinical Trials Recruitment on Feb 8th 2022
Part of the Answer—One Family’s ExperienceResearch match has worked with over 160,000 volunteers and 11,000 researchers in support of over 1,000 studies and 545 publications to advance research.…
Anger Management: Your Body’s Anger Warning Signs
Oct 7th 2021
Our physical body often gives us information about what we are feeling. Many of us can tell when we start getting angry because we physically feel something. For example, we can feel our body getti…
Learning to Identify, Label, and Communicate Needs
Posted by Kim Clairy OTR/L on Apr 7th 2021
Diagnosed with Autism as an adult and suffering from a severe eating disorder (ED) for over a decade I broke through many barriers. Over the years I developed strategies to help me function.
The…
NON-SPEAKING ≠ NON-THINKING
Posted by Dr. Rachel C. Morgan & Adam Morgan on Apr 2nd 2021
I will never forget the day that I first heard the words “I love you, mommy” from my non-speaking autistic son. My son, Adam, was 4 years old and had very few words that he used meaningfully. It was t…
OH NO, HE WON’T GO Help for toilet training the child with autism who refuses to go.
Posted by Dr. Fredric Daum, Professor of Pediatrics and Clinical Scholar School of Medicine, SUNY, Stony Brook, New York on Mar 2nd 2021
Unwillingness to toilet train is very common among children with autism. The primary cause of delayed training is often stool withholding. A child who stool withholds is physically able to d…
Thinking that You’re Stupid is Not a Smart Thing to Do
Posted by Thomas Armstrong Ph.D. Executive Director of the American Institute for Learning and Human Development on Feb 10th 2021
Being a little kid is not easy, especially these days. But being a kid with a disability is even harder. Bullies abound, and taunts of ‘’you’re stupid!’’ ‘’dumbo!’’ and ‘’retard’’ stain the self-…
Worries are a Big Deal for Special Students
Posted by Kari Dunn Buron MS, Autism Education Specialist on Jan 5th 2021
When children experience high levels of stress and anxiety, it can lead to a number of unwanted outcomes, including explosive behavior. High levels of stress and big emotions related to poor social…
38 Tips for a Meltdown Free Holiday
Posted by Bonnie Arnwine on Nov 6th 2020
The holidays are a fun time to visit with friends and family. Special decorations and traditions make it a festive time for everyone. Unfortunately, the holidays can also present challenges f…
Behavior Solutions for Students Who Won’t Keep Seated
Posted by Beth Aune, OTR/L, Beth Burt & Peter Gennaro on Oct 6th 2020
Today, more than ever, educators are faced with teaching core subjects for longer periods to prepare the class to master state standards. This requires the students to sit at their desks for long per…
Focus Strategies for Students Who Are Zoomed Out
Posted by Bonnie Arnwine on Sep 9th 2020
For students under stress or dealing with attention challenges, focusing can be particularly difficult. COVID-19 has created additional stress and forced most of us to make changes to our normal routi…
Using Social Stories To Help Students Who Are Struggling With Participating In The New Online School-At-Home Experiences
Posted by Don D’Amore MA CCC-SLP on Sep 1st 2020
As a large number of schools across our nation transition to a ‘school-at-home’ experience during the COVD-19 pandemic, many of our students, especially those on the autism spectrum or with…
Executive Function and ASD: Evidence-Based Practices to Help ALL Learners Succeed
Posted by Carol Burmeister, M.A. on Aug 3rd 2020
If you are an educator, currently working in today’s school settings, chances are you interact with learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Many of them exhibit strengths that allow them…
The Power of Improv for Teens with Autism
Posted by Carol Moog Ph.D., founder of ImagineAct on Jun 15th 2020
“Just be yourself!” Try telling that to a teen with autism! Much of the time when they’re just “being themselves” it’s considered wrong. They’ve been told that the way they pass papers in class, answe…
Free Visual Supports Packet for Covid19
Posted by Don D’Amore MA CCC-SLP on Jun 4th 2020
We are living in an unprecedented time in which the entire world suddenly has to adapt to a new way of living their daily life to remain safe and healthy, and to keep others safe and healthy. The USA’…
How to Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits with Autism
May 5th 2020
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder as it’s commonly called now, is something that doctors and psychologists understand a lot more these days than they did in previous generations. Because of the i…
Social Distancing Social Story
Posted by Alison Rotolo, SLP on Apr 14th 2020
My name is Alison Rotolo and I am a Pre-K Speech Language Pathologist in Ithaca, NY. I would LOVE to share a resource I created for the National Autism Resources readers. With my dog Rosie's help,…
AS, Drop The D
Posted by Anne Sabagh Certified Life Coach on Apr 2nd 2020
December 17, 2018: That is the day I learned I was on the autism spectrum. Specifically, what used to be known as Asperger’s Syndrome, but is now, in the newest version of the Diagnostic Statistical M…
At home with the kids? Here are 5 Sensory Activities Everyone Can Enjoy
Posted by Bonnie Arnwine, President of National Autism Resources on Mar 17th 2020
School is out and summer is in full swing. We all have the opportunity to spend extra time with our kids. Here are 5 fun activities that use common items in your house.Burn Off Some Energy with PaperG…
A New Tool in our Toolbox - Ambulance Comfort Kit
Posted by Joleen Sabel, AEMT, NREMT Hartford Fire & Rescue on Mar 13th 2020
When you hear ‘tools in my toolbox’, most think of a construction worker, handyman, electrician or plumber. However, there are others that carry a toolbox too. As an EMT, my toolbox includes an ambula…
5 Tips to Help Teens Build Relationships
Posted by Sheri Van Dijk, MSW, RSW on Mar 4th 2020
Relationships can be difficult for kids and teens at the best of times; but when it comes to kids who have other difficulties, such as being on the spectrum, and/or experiencing anxiety and other pain…
5 Tips for Teaching & Reviewing Survival Signs & Symbols
Posted by Christina Reville on Feb 26th 2020
Look around you. Everywhere you look you see a sign or a symbol indicating something. Special signs, symbols, and directions are encountered in every area of our lives. They provide us with informatio…
Build and Generalize Skills
Posted by Rosemarie Griffin, MA, CCC/SLP BCBA on Feb 4th 2020
Have you worked with a student before on labeling, only to find that they had trouble generalizing that skill to novel examples or into the natural environment? This is something that all providers st…
Don’t Lose Yourself
Posted by Bonnie Arnwine on Jan 31st 2020
Years ago the hubbo came up to me and told me he wanted to go out on a date night. At the time I was exhausted and overwhelmed with trying to manage everything that comes with raising a child on the s…
Things to Think About When Decorating for the Holidays
Posted by Bonnie Arnwine on Nov 19th 2019
A few years ago a therapist shared a story with us about a young man at a group home that kept attacking the Christmas tree. Every day he would try to push down the tree. Everyone was very upset with…
Tips for a Great Holiday Visit with Autistic Family Members
Posted by Bonnie Arnwine on Nov 7th 2019
You have a family member with autism coming to visit you. That's great! Visiting with family is a wonderful holiday tradition. For family members with autism, this can be an enjoyable time, but als…
Tips for Preparing Your Child for Halloween
Oct 1st 2019
Halloween is right around the corner and here are a few tips to help kids get ready. Happy trick or treating!
Trick or Treating Tips
Trick or treating is exciting…
Is Your Kid Chewing on Everything?
Posted by Chris Chu on Sep 18th 2019
Chubuddy was started in 2011 after several years of struggles finding the right chew for our son. He was chewing through or losing 2-3 chews per week and we were concerned that he was swall…
Do You Always Have Worries?
Posted by Elizabeth Verdick on Sep 10th 2019
Got Worries?Sometimes, I write the books I wished I’d had as a mother of young children. Sometimes, I write books with my son in mind (The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders). And…
Inclusion Solutions: Cooperative Learning Can Benefit Every Student
Posted by Savana Flakes on Aug 28th 2019
“Inclusion works to the advantage of everyone. We all have things to learn and we all have something to teach.” Helen HendersonEvery student can benefit from effective cooperative learning. Cooperat…
How Choices Can Increase Compliance
Posted by Amy Nielsen on Aug 20th 2019
I was so proud of my husband the other night. As I was finishing up the dinner dishes, I overheard him tell our four-year-old son it was time for bed. Immediately the protests began, “No, Daddy. No…
Bias or Belief, What Influences Your Autism World?
Posted by Dr. Rachel C. Morgan on Aug 14th 2019
In today’s virtual world, things are moving so incredibly fast with an overload of information at our fingertips. It has increasingly become more and more difficult to form one’s own beliefs, values,…
Guardianship & Supported Decision Making
Posted by Francis Tabone on Jul 18th 2019
Guardianship is something all parents of children with disabilities must face as their child approaches 18 years of age. Guardianship is the legal process for adults who have a clinically diagnosed me…
3 Great Ways to Help Your Child Overcome Sensory Issues at the Dentist
Posted by Dr. Greg Grillo (https://www.emergencydentistsusa.com/dentably/) on Jul 15th 2019
Dentably.comBright lights, loud noises, strange tastes and smells of oral care products, being touched by people; these are all things you’ve experienced at the dentists. For special needs patients, t…
3 Things to Expect When You Take Your Child with Autism to the Dentist
Posted by Dr. Greg Grillo on Jun 18th 2019
Going to the dentist can be an overwhelming experience for anyone, but for patients with autism this experience can be a lot harder. However, knowing what to expect and preparing for their dental appo…
What Autism Parents Would Like For You to Know
Jun 11th 2019
It can be easy to see life through your own lens and perspective. As parents with children on the spectrum, there are moments when our lenses as parents may have been misunderstood by those assuming…
Explaining a Diagnosis to Kids with Autism or ADHD: Teaching Kids About Their Brain Forests
Posted by Dr. Thomas Armstrong on May 21st 2019
Teaching kids about how their brain works can be a great way to give them a sense of ownership concerning their outer behaviors and their inner experiences. The problem is that when it comes to child…
The Universal TriOn Grip!
Posted by Kate Gladstone on Apr 24th 2019
Many adults on the spectrum develop intense interests in a certain topic. For Kate Gladstone, it was handwriting. Kate is a world renowned handwriting expert and the creator of the Tri-…
Tips to Help Autistic Kids Make Friends
Posted by Daniel Stefanski on Apr 16th 2019
How Classmates Can HelpIf you have an autistic kid in your classroom, it would be nice if you invite them to play during recess. Playing with a classmate on the playground is something most kids take…
Sleeping Issues on the Autism Spectrum
Posted by Louis Scarantino, Self-Autism Advocate on Apr 11th 2019
A common issue in many people with autism is an important thing that everyone in the world needs and is not getting enough of- Sleep! If we don’t get enough sleep, we don’t do well in our daily activi…
Promote Your Child's Independence Starting Today
Posted by Emily Iland, M.A on Apr 11th 2019
It's never too early or too late to prepare your child for life! The school years come to an end, but adulthood lasts for decades! The sooner you teach your child to do things for himself or…
Worried About Not Doing Enough for Your Child? Don’t Be!
Posted by Russell Lehmann, award-winning and internationally recognized motivational speaker, poet, author and advocate who happens to have autism on Apr 3rd 2019
The most common question I get asked by parents of a child on the spectrum is “How do I know if I am doing enough for my child?”. By asking this question, it proves that you are indeed already doing e…
Life of a Behavior Therapist
Posted by Brante' Ruaro, Therapist Liason/Behavior Therapist on Mar 6th 2019
If I had to describe the life of a behavior therapist in one word it would be UNPREDICTABLE! Every client is different and every session is different. A behavior therapist may work with a client for t…
Autism Anger Management: How to Visually Teach Deep Breathing
Feb 26th 2019
Breathing patterns can have a deep effect on our health. In times of stress, breathing can become fast and shallow. Teaching children deep breathing exercises can help them calm down, focus, and rela…
Using Visuals to Reduce Confusion and Frustrations, and Encourage Independence.
Posted by Don D’Amore MA CCC-SLP Speech Language Pathologist on Feb 6th 2019
There are two sides to language. There is the understanding of what others say (receptive language) and there is what we say (expressive language). When an individual (particularly younger ones)…
Using Visual Strategies to Enhance Communication and Promote Literacy
Posted by Joan Green of Greenhouse Publications 2019 on Jan 30th 2019
Using Visual Strategies to Enhance Communication and Promote LiteracyWhat are visual strategies?Visual strategies are simply ways to provide information visually. Common examples in everyday life…
Are We Being Fair?
Posted by Bonnie Arwine, award winning author, and President of National Autism Resources on Jan 23rd 2019
The other day a friend of mine shared a story about her child. He is nonverbal and in a new early intervention program. He is learning the school routine and starting to have success sitting during ci…
The Story Behind Our Logo
Jan 10th 2019
When we started National Autism Resources in 2008, we wanted to create a logo that reflected what we wanted to empower and become. Several consultants suggested various ideas, including many puzzle pi…
5 Awesome Cause and Effect Toys for Kids with Autism
Nov 19th 2018
Cause and effect toys can be very engaging developmental toys for kids with autism. These toys allow children to “cause” a type of reaction to their environment. For example, when they press a button…
Bounce Your Feet -- Improve Your Focus
Oct 24th 2018
Many students on the spectrum who exhibit challenging behaviors often benefit when given the opportunity to experience sensory relief when they are at school and at home.
One unique sensory tool is…
Auditory Processing Strategies for the Classroom
Oct 18th 2018
Auditory processing is a term used to describe what happens when your brain recognizes and interprets the sounds around you. Humans hear when energy that we recognize as sound travels through th…
Simple Tools to Help Students Focus
Aug 24th 2018
With the start of school it can be a challenge for students to settle in and focus. Below are a few simple tools you can use to help improve focus and attention to task.Provide students with a Fidget…
A Creative Alternative for the Sound Sensitive
Posted by Jamie Sherwood - Founder of Vibes on Apr 24th 2018
For many individuals on the autism spectrum and their families, avoiding loud environments is simply a part of life. Loud noise, for those on the spectrum who are sensitive to sound, can be painful…
We Live in a Sensory World
Posted by Mary Ann Heinz, COTA/Ret. on Apr 17th 2018
As usual, I go for my morning walk and take the same route I always take. I see the same houses and recognize neighbors in their cars as they drive by and wave.
It is threatening rain…
Handwriting and the Autism Spectrum - Notes From a Survivor
Posted by Kate Gladstone on Feb 8th 2018
Handwriting matters. Technology doesn’t always work — and even if we never write, we must decipher others’ handwriting. (Many of us on the autism spectrum never managed to read cursive: even if we can…
Helping Kids Know Their Body’s Anger Signs, Calm Down, and Manage Anger
Posted by An excerpt adapted from How to Take the Grrrr Out of Anger by Elizabeth Verdick and Marjorie Lisovskis (Free Spirit Publishing), copyright © 2003. Used with permission. on Oct 20th 2017
If there’s one positive thing about anger, it would have to be that it gives you extra energy. But that very same energy can make you feel like you’re ready to fight or explode. So, what are you suppo…
Northern California Fire Update - A Note From our President
Oct 13th 2017
As a company we have been really busy the last few days with the fires. First of all we want to apologize - some of our shipments have been delayed as the fire came within two miles of our Fedex sort…
Shark Tank's Vibes Earplugs Are Helping Sound Sensitive Students on the Autism Spectrum
Posted by Jamie Sherwood on Aug 24th 2017
Foam earplugs and over-ear earmuffs have long been the standard methods for making individuals on the autism spectrum that are sensitive to sound more comfortable in loud environments. While they…
Helping Struggling Writers: Five Steps to Getting Thoughts Down on Paper
Posted by Toni M. Shub, MS, OTR/L on Aug 16th 2017
Transforming thoughts from ideas into a legible, organized, and an interesting piece of written work is often an area of frustration for children on the spectrum or those with learning challenges.…
3 Tools to Keep Hot Tempers Cool....
May 31st 2017
Do you have a child or student who could use some help developing anger management skills? We’ve put this list of resources together for you.Stop, Relax & Think Game
The idea of the
Stop,…
Helping Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Sleep Better
Posted by Terry Katz, PhD and Beth Ann Malow, MD, MS on May 24th 2017
We all need sleep to do our best each day. When we don’t sleep well, we tend to have difficulty performing well and are often in a bad mood. Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) face man…
Are Spinner Fidgets Good for the Classroom?
May 9th 2017
No doubt if you are reading this you have seen or heard about the Spinner fidget. It’s marketed as a “fidget to help you focus”, yet as I write this many schools are beginning to ban them from t…
5 Survival Tips for Teens on the Autistic Spectrum
Posted by JD Kraus on Apr 14th 2017
Be Yourself As hokey as this sounds it’s the truth. There is no point in pretending to be someone that you are not. As a teen, I tried to make friends by acting that I liked sports (since so many kids…
Three Keys to Fine Motor Skills Development
Posted by Mary Ann Heinz, COTA/RET on Apr 12th 2017
by Mary Ann Heinz, COTA/RETStand in front of a mirror and brush your hair or your teeth, bend over and tie your shoes, read a line of print from left to right across a page, cut with a pair of scissor…
Active Seating: Therapy Ball, Seating Disc, or Wedge Which One Should You Use?
Mar 28th 2017
There are now several studies that have shown students, including those with ADHD and other special needs, focus better in the classroom when they are allowed to wiggle this is called "active se…
Autism Challenge: Isolation from the Community
Posted by Bonnie Arnwine on Mar 10th 2017
By Bonnie Arnwine
This week I had the pleasure of meeting with a local children’s museum that is exploring creative ways to open up access for children on the autism spectrum. When I shared my adven…
Sensitive Sam: a Book for Kids who are Sensory Sensitive
Mar 9th 2017
Do you know a sensory sensitive child who is trying to understand themselves or starting Occupational Therapy? If so, Sensitive Sam is the book for you! This helpful book is based on my experience w…
Exercise Improves Behavior and Academic Performance for Students with Autism and Behavioral Challenges
Feb 10th 2017
Research continues to show that exercise may be a key component to a successful academic program for students with autism and behavioral disorders. Participating in daily aerobic exercise will not onl…
How Much Weight Should Your Weighted Blanket Have?
Posted by Kristi Langslet OTR/L - Kristi is a member of the National Autism Resources Advisory Board. on Nov 2nd 2016
Most people recommend 10% of a person's body weight for a weighted blanket but research and experience suggests the appropriate amount of weight is closer to 20%. As an Occupational Therapi…
Simple Tips to Help Special Needs Kids with Handwriting Challenges
Oct 12th 2016
Sitting down to write is a fairly simple task. Pick up a pencil or pen and write, right? For the child with special needs writing may not be so simple. Stop and think about the components of…
Help Kids with ADD/ADHD and Autism Focus in the Classroom
Sep 22nd 2016
Do you have a student with autism or ADD/ADHD in your class that has a hard time sitting still or focusing? Often providing small opportunities for movement can actually increase your special student…
4th of July Social Story
Jun 29th 2016
We love social stories. Feel free to use the following simple social story to prepare your special students or child with autism for the 4th of July fireworks show.
Every year we celebra…
Welcome to Our Newly Updated Website!
May 9th 2016
Welcome to the newly redesigned National Autism Resources website. The look and navigation of the site is new and we hope it will make it easier for you to find information and learn about a…