As a parent with a child with special needs you most likely spend the majority of your time in the car driving from one appointment to the next as well as within many different waiting rooms. With all that time spent in “transition” it is sometimes difficult to make sure that your child is emotionally regulated, entertained, having fun, learning, transitioning smoothly, eating properly and more. This week we want to help you create a “Bag of Tricks” that will help your transitions move much smoother. You will need a big bag to put everything in.

The new school year has begun and our kids are getting back into the swing of things in their new classrooms. This might mean smooth sailing to some and to others, there may be more challenges to face. As soon as our kids step foot out of the car during carpool, or as soon as they step foot onto that bus or let go of our hand each school day, the worries and concerns tend to build.

Where in the world did the summer go? Here in Texas, many schools start in only two weeks……insanity! With summer coming to an end, we are all busy getting our kiddos prepared for a new school year. We wanted to share links to our previous school-inspired blogs to help your family prepare your child for their new school, new classroom, new teacher or new friends. We wish everyone the best of luck and loads of fun for the 2011-2012 school year!
What Do I Tell the Other Parents?: www.autismspot.com/blog/What-Do-I-Tell-Other-Parents

An article titled “Independence Day” was recently published in the Dallas Fort Worth Thrive magazine. The article emphasizes the importance of encouraging children with special needs to work towards independence at an early age as opposed to steering them towards “learned helplessness.”

Homemade Puff Paint

Potty training. Worst nightmare or piece of cake? This experience is different for everyone. With the first day of school being just around the corner, parents are feeling the pressure to get their child potty trained and to get them potty trained fast. Your system may be working or it may not. Whether you are looking for a couple of tips or a truckload, we are here to help!
There are two things to know that we consider most important about potty training:
1. All children are different. Because of this, some of these ideas may apply to your child and some may not.

It’s summer! In Texas, the temperature continues to rise each and every day. As much fun as it is to be outside in the sun at the park, at Six Flags, at baseball games or in the pool, many afternoons we just want to hang out inside. Making sun catchers is a fun and easy activity for all children during those long summer days.
Materials
1. Clear contact paper
2. Tissue paper
3. Cookie cutters or stencils (Bed Bath and Beyond has a set of 100 cookie cutters for $9.99 http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=12474253)
4. Markers
5. Scissors
6. Tape

With a busy holiday weekend ahead, you are probably preparing for good times with family and friends. So how do you keep the kids busy and entertained at home, in the car or within the community while maximizing on social opportunities with their siblings, cousins and friends? Here are a few links to some of our past summer blogs that will do just that:
Let’s Go to the Movies:
http://www.autismspot.com/blog/Summer-Fun-Lets-Go-Movies
Frozen Treats:
http://www.autismspot.com/blog/Summer-Fun-Frozen-Treats
Going on a Picnic:

Going to the mall can be a great place to take your kids on a long summer day when they may otherwise be jumping off the walls in the house. The mall is filled with so many opportunities to teach your child life skills, safety, play skills and social skills but let’s face it, it can be overwhelming. I’m not sure about you but my head typically spins at the mall on a busy Saturday when I’m attempting to battle the noise, the lights and THE PEOPLE. By the time I leave, I can guarantee that I have aches in my feet and back paired with a big ole headache.

With the kids out of school many families are trying to fill the time with things to do this summer. We wanted to share with you some fun summer inspired crafts that you can do with your kiddos during a long summer day when there’s just not much to do or if it’s just too stinkin’ hot to play outside. Kids love art! It’s a fun way to create something that they can be proud of. It raises self-esteem and addresses many fun skills and the kids won’t even know that they are “working”!