#ReachingMilestones

[suramed-health-center]

🚼👶Milestones Matter! Babies going into their fourth month should be reaching these milestones - Visit our website to learn more. 🌐 suramedhealthcenter.com

[kimilat]

Just showing off a few gifts from my coach for reaching a new milestone in my business. Love you to the moon and back @momwhatsfordinner! I have so much gratitude for everything this business has brought me. I've made new friends & found new communities. I have continuous support & accountability with my health & business goals. And I earn a lil' something while helping others the way I've been helped. And yes, there is company recognition, but there's nothing like the recognition from your people. #reachingmilestones #coachlove #newfriendships #communitysupport #healthgoals #businessgoals #helpingotherssucceed #teamnourish #teamevolution #blackbusinessowner #blaccexellence (at Bronx, NY) https://www.instagram.com/p/CF0ldJeAJ8i/?igshid=1heenandck4l4

[marcieselizabeth]

My big girl on her first day of #Kindergarten ❤ Reach for the stars baby girl! ✨ There's no limit to the greatness you can achieve 💫 . . #1stDayOfKindergarten #4years11months #SkysTheLimit #ClassOf2032 🎓 #FirstDayOfSchool #ReachingMilestones #ProudMami #MyStar #MyEverything #MySunshine https://www.instagram.com/p/B1JOko7hA2M0BaI5kXflvLZpQtrWtZo_kqEQis0/?igshid=86v9136sv1ds

[alexusbernaecustoms]

🎉🎉 WOORAYYY🎉🎉 WE REACHED THE FIRST MILESTONE GOAL! THANK YOU ALL FOR 400 SUPPORTERS! #celebration #celebrating400followers #celebratingachievements #goals #reachinggoals #milestonereached #reachingmilestones #reached #reachedmygoal #explorepage #alexusbernae #alexusbernaecustoms #400followers #smallbusinessachievements (at Decatur, Georgia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_NqWfUga28/?igshid=g5zxy94x5ify

[seizurequeen-blog1]

I've been so proud of this boy today. We've not gone anywhere due to me feeling ill, but he's been non stop talking today and coming out with new words and animals. We even watched Blaze and the monster machine where he now points out the answers to him (right pipe, biggest rock etc). He drives with car noises, he plays with his animals whilst making their noises, plays doctors and checks people's hearts and ears. We even sit and look at his spot the item book regularly and do jigsaws. 😍😍 His understanding has come on astronomically. #growingsofast #funnyboy #daddysboy #mamasboy #toddlerlife #mamabear #daddybear #learning #milestones #reachingmilestones #learningnewwords #playmobil #learningtoplay #proudparents

[squallymuffin]

Lariah is such a princess when it comes to eating, but our mealtime madness and messes have been SIGNIFICANTLY reduced thanks to our @ezpzfun bowls and mats and our @grabease utensils! She can take her time and lick her chicken to her hearts content without involving anybody except herself and her fork. It's hilariously satisfying for the both of us 😂 #myezpzmat #ezpz #grabease #mealtime #toddlereats #babyeating #messesbeGONE #selffeeding #finemotorskills #confident #reachingMilestones #foodisLife #nomnomnom #pasta #foodbaby #squallymuffin

[reachingmilestones-blog1-blog]

Reaching Milestones- The spectrum of Autism and Asperger Syndrome

Autism Spectrum Disorder

ASD, as it is referred to, is a term used to identify brain development disorders. A wide array of symptoms include problems with social interaction and both verbal and nonverbal communication. The condition may present signs such as repetitive behaviors, twirling or hand waving. Normal childhood development typically takes place only to begin degeneration around the ages of one and two. Diagnosis is usually made by the ages of three and four when loss of language and social skills are evident.

The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes difficulty with social interaction, lack of eye contact, and a hyper sensitivity to light, sound or the texture of foods and clothing are all prominent signs. Language development becomes slow, and the need to stick to routines becomes rigid. Withdrawal from physical contact is replaced with an attachment to specific objects. Decreased or increased reaction to pain and an oversensitivity to normal sound levels are all common symptoms.

Although the exact cause has not been identified, it is believed to be caused by an abnormal brain chemistry and physiology. Contributing factors that produce the disorder can be heredity, diet, mercury exposure, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and vaccine sensitivity.

The Center for Disease Control and prevention, commonly referred to as the CDC, reports that one in every sixty-eight children have been diagnosed. The CDC reports no link to ethnic, racial or socioeconomic group, although it is five times more likely to occur in boys rather than girls.

Asperger Syndrome

The Autism spectrum can range from needing constant care and supervision to people who grow up to live independent lives with friends, family, homes, and careers. The symptoms experienced can fall anywhere in this broad range of disability.

Asperger Syndrome is considered to be at the high functioning side of the spectrum. Asperger typically presents the inability to talk at the same learning rate as other children. Although once they do, they develop extraordinarily large vocabularies and the ability to converse on complex topics. This and their intense ability to focus has earned them the common nickname of “the little professors”. They usually tend to enjoy great academic success.

The website AutismSpeaks.org states that the syndrome is subtle, awkward and not easily understood, making it hard to diagnose. They commonly have trouble with eye contact and modulating their voices. Fixating on a single subject that they find fascinating and talking incessantly about it is also a hallmark of this syndrome. The realization that other people may not be as interested in their fixation contributes to their tendency toward social isolation. Lacking this and other skill sets to sustain healthy connections often leaves them longing for normalcy. 

[marcieselizabeth]

I'm not always up-to-date with my social media... but I wanted to share this group picture and say thank you to @miami_fine_arts_academy for giving Solara the opportunity to perform her very FIRST Piano recital last month ♡ extra big thanks to Ms. Ciryl, she's come this far thanks to your wonderful way of teaching! 🎹🎶 #MyLittlePianista . #MiamiFineArtsAcademy #PianoRecital #4years5MonthsOld #Pianista #MyPrincess #YoungestOneInThisGroup 💕 #ProudMoments #ProudMom #ReachingMilestones #LearningIsPower #GreatTeachersProduceOutstandingStudents https://www.instagram.com/p/BvFFX0gBbeFbfhvu4ljd5dsO-eTmjDI73DrrSo0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1r87eqb0nevse

[reachingmilestones-blog1-blog]

Autism gets a face on “Parenthood”

When “Parenthood” ended their six-season run in January, television lost a role model for families of children with Autism everywhere. The long-running show showed the life of the Braverman family. The family included grandparents, four children and the children’s families. Max, one of the grandchildren, was diagnosed with Asperger’s in the first season of the show. He is the first television character to put a face on the realities of Autism.

Actor Max Burkholder was only 11 when the show began filming. Max knew the importance of portraying this character realistically and spent a lot of time studying the disorder so he could portray the character true to life. Burkholder said he strived to understand Autism because he wanted his character to ring true to the audience. Audience members took to the character easily, especially those who have children living on the spectrum. His scenes featured personality quirks and emotional outbursts that tugged at the heartstrings.  

In one emotionally charged episode during season 5, Max goes on a field trip with his class. On the trip, the other students in his class tease him mercilessly, until Max has a tantrum. After his parents pick him to bring him home, Max asks, “Why do all the other kids hate me? Is it because I’m weird?” His parents, portrayed by Peter Krause and Monica Potter, do not have an answer for him. The episode struck a chord with many parents who deal with this type of situation on a regular basis. The directness of questions coupled with being unable to answer the question is a common scenario for many families.

Jason Katims, writer and producer of “Parenthood” used this show to address common parenting issues, including some of his own. While the show is based off a film of the same name, Katims created Max’s character because he wanted to highlight the difficulties of parenting a child with Autism. Despite his desires, Katims said he was worried that the show would not be able to pull it off. “I was worried. Would everybody reject it?  Would we be able to do a good job of telling the story… what the experience is really like for a family dealing with this?” There were no other shows to draw inspiration from, but luckily it was a success.

Max deals with a variety of every-day situations as well as some more difficult situations, throughout the course of the show. During season four, Max’s mother tell him she has breast cancer. His response to the terrible news was “Ok. Can I go watch TV.” Later in the same episode, Max tells his mom that if she undergoes chemo, the procedure will kill some of her healthy cells as well as her sick cells. For many families, this episode in particular highlights the way children with Autism typically respond to emotional situations: with facts.

Part of what made the show special was how the audience learned to see someone living with autism as a human. “At first, I thought playing Max was about the fact that he had Asperger’s. But over time, it’s been more like his Asperger’s is more secondary to who he is,” Burkholder said.

[reachingmilestones-blog1-blog]

Test Your Flight Ability at Blue Horizons with Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is always trying to find new and innovative ways to help families and individuals with autism. In their newest venture, they have teamed up with JetBlue Airways to help people find ways to fly easier.

Their event, Blue Horizons for Autism, is off to a great start with their first event being held last week. The initial attendance of Blue Horizons at the JFK International Airport in New York City was over 250. During the event, families and individuals with autism are able to rehearse what it is like to travel by plane in a relaxed, yet realistic, environment. They are surrounded by others in similar situations, helping to give them additional support.

Anyone who has autism or has an autistic loved one knows that travel can become difficult. By preparing for the flight well in advance, you can better anticipate your individual needs during travel. During the event, you will be able to experience all the steps of airplane travel first hand. The event also works to help crewmembers learn more about handling customers that have autism.

Blue Horizons for Autism starts with the family checking in with the airport ticket counter as if they were going on an actual flight. They will walk through the security checkpoint, experiencing all of the normal procedures. Each family will also experience waiting at a predetermined flight gate and the standard boarding procedures before they get on the plane.

While you do not actually travel anywhere once you are on the plane, the plane does circle around the airport for about twenty minutes. This helps to simulate the airplane ride and can show the autistic individuals what it is like to be in the air. Families or caretakers can then gauge the reactions of their loved ones and understand their specific needs when it comes to flying. This helps to prevent issues in the future when they fly for the first time.

The individuals that attended Blue Horizons found the experience very insightful and found ways to improve their future flight experience. They learned unforgettable skills that they can use again and again.

JetBlue Airlines and Autism Speaks plan on working together to create more events in the future. They hope to share the experience with people in cities all over the United States. To learn more, connect with Autism Speaks on Facebook, where they will announce any upcoming events.

[reachingmilestones-blog1-blog]

Autism and Teaching Social Skills

During each of other interactions with the world and with other people around us, we use social norms we learned through observation. This type of behaviors are so deeply ingrained that we may take them for granted. It is easy to ignore the intricate makeup of social behaviors because we do them without even thinking. Traditional social skills help us communicate in everyday situations. We understand when it is our turn to speak, when we should change a subject and if another person is angry, happy, sad or uncomfortable based on these cues. Individuals with Autism cannot process these cues at the same rate, or in the same way, as other people.

According to the National Association of School Psychologists, there are for key areas of social skills that parents, teachers and medical professionals look at to determine which goals are most appropriate. These four areas include:

1. Beginning skills: These set of skills include listening, following directions, ignoring distractions and politely speaking.

2. Relational skills:  This set of skills include sharing with others, asking permission before doing something, participating in an activity and waiting to speak.

3. Thinking skills: This set of skills include asking for help, saying sorry to others, understanding and accepting consequences for behavior and decision-making skills.

4. Dealing with conflict: This set of skills includes proper reaction to losing, handling blame for something, coping with feeling left out, and responding to teasing from other children.

Each of the skills listed are necessary for children to gain a proper level of independence. This is particularly important for children with Autism as they get to school age. If they are able to master at least some of these social skills, they are likely to fare better in school and have a higher quality of life. Parents, teachers and therapists can work with children to encourage mastery. Common methods of social education include modeling, evaluation, role-playing and copying others.

Social skills training is a helpful way to help children with Autism. This type of preparation will help children with Autism perform better in school. Therapists usually perform this type of training individually or as small groups. These education groups may consist only of children with Autism but may also benefit from the addition of students without Autism. All children can benefit from mastering social cues and norms. Children in these lessons usually perform better if trained in a neutral location (like a classroom) because they can take the skills with them more easily.

Although children with Autism may have a difficult time learning social norms, these struggles can be reduced through social education. The social skills classes offer a much-needed education that provides a road to independence and higher interpersonal skills.

[reachingmilestones-blog1-blog]

Football Penalties Donate to Charity

During the past few weeks, most of us have been enjoying the 2014 – 2015 football season. While the hype for preseason was a little more and led to a greater expectation of game-play, very few have been disappointed so far. The only damper on the fun and excitement has been the plentiful amount of fines and penalties issued this year, an issue that not many fans want to discuss.

While most people view penalties and fines as a disappointment in an otherwise great game, there are some that are hoping to change that. One college athletic department has been hoping to turn their penalty into a more positive situation for everyone. This could help people view penalties much differently in the future, putting a more positive light on an otherwise dark topic in football.

Pat Haden, from USC’s Athletic Department, was one of the first coaches to get a penalty this year. He received the penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, and now he understands how negatively a penalty can affect a person. Haden got his penalty during his team’s victory over Stanford during the third quarter. He argued with the game officials on the sidelines during the game.

Haden was removed from the committee as a direct result of his actions. He also had to deal with increased negative publicity. The Trojan Coach, Steve Sarkisian, also received a penalty for the incident by the Pac-12 Conference. The fine for the inappropriate sideline behavior was $25,000 for each coach.

As soon as possible, Haden decided to issue a public apology. He wanted the fans to know he was sorry for his behavior during the incident. He admitted that he should have waited until after the game to talk with the officials, and that he should have used the proper channels to do so.

Haden used Twitter to help him make some big announcements to his fans. He was happy to pay his fine and wanted Pac-12 to forward the fine money to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles for Autism Research. The request was made to honor Haden’s 5-year old grandson.

Happy endings are always nice to see, especially in a situation that is so negative. Haden did something that not a lot of players or coaches take the time to do. The NCAA or NFL should have more individuals requesting their penalty money be donated to a worthy cause. That way, more people can have happy endings.

[reachingmilestones-blog1-blog]

The Myth of the Refrigerator Mother

People who are uninformed about the latest advances in diagnosis and treatment of autism often point to parents, especially mothers, that seem emotionally cold as a cause of autism. Years ago, when he first discovered autism, Austrian psychiatrist Leo Kanner suggested emotionally distant parents might be the cause. Although he had little research to support his theory, he based his idea solely on his own observations of his patients’ parents. In his case notes, he observed that many of the parents seemed to have difficulty expressing affection.

If he had the benefit of modern genetic science, Kanner might have come up with the correct theory, that autism has a strong genetic component. Far from being a mere psychological reaction to distant parents, autism is a neurological disorder that interferes with the electrochemical circuitry in the brain. Perhaps it wasn’t Kanner’s observations, but rather his conclusion that was wrong. Since research has since shown that there is a tendency for parents to pass autism on to their children, perhaps the parents Kanner observed were themselves affected with autism spectrum disorder.

Yet the myth persists. Popular psychology, as opposed to the real science, tends to mix old-school, blame-the-mother discarded psychological theories with old wives’ tales.

If you have a child with autism, don’t be surprised if some well-meaning, yet nosy neighbor gives you some “advice” on curing your child of the disorder. “Just show her more affection,” the neighbor might say. “You’re not the friendliest mom on the block.” Before you let the neighbor’s words throw you into a tailspin, take charge. Educate your neighbor about autism.

Point out the latest research, which shows that children who develop autism show signs early in infancy. Studies conducted on young babies show that children who will develop autism do not look at faces as much as babies who do not. That shows that autism is not the result of poor parenting, since these babies were only a few weeks old. It is a neurological disorder that affects a person for a lifetime.

Secondly, point out that autism often runs in families. It is a genetically-inherited condition that the best parenting in the world cannot change.

 For more information about combating the myth of the refrigerator mother, see your child’s therapist.

References:

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/autism/autism-symptoms-and-early-signs.htm

http://genetics.thetech.org/original_news/news49

[reachingmilestones-blog1-blog]

How to Teach Your Child about Their Surroundings

The safety of a child is always important. For parents that have autistic children, safety is even more of a priority. You don’t always know how your child is going to react to a new or strange situation. The issue may be that they don’t seem as aware as the children without Autism Spectrum Disorder, making them more impulsive or causing them to become more frustrated. This is very true when it comes to learning and experiencing new things. For example, if an autistic child wants to go outside, they don’t always tell their parents. They may cross the street, unaware of the cars around them, or go home with a stranger. In order to keep them safe, they need to be taught about the world around them. Take these steps to help your child learn more about basic safety.

·Teach them to Ask

Children with autism should learn how to ask for what they want. Most parents already know their child can ask for juice or milk without too much trouble. Teaching about food and drinks can be a great place to begin. Children can then learn some basic words to help them out throughout the day, such as potty, crayons or outside. Once these skills are mastered, parents can start showing the child how to use more advanced words. Teaching them how to say playground or swings can make a big difference. You should also introduce situations where it is acceptable for the child to say no.

·Teach Them about Personal Information

Children should know some of their basic personal information, starting with their full name. They should also learn about their parent’s full name, their address and phone number. This can make a huge difference in an emergency situation or if your child becomes lost. For younger children and non-verbal children, consider writing these details on a small card that they can take with them.

·Label the Outside World

Expand your child’s knowledge about the outside world so they can become more aware of their surroundings. Verbally labeling things, such as cars, as you pass them can help your child learn the new word. At the playground, try pointing to children and teaching your child words like boy and girl. Ask your child to repeat the words as you go along. As you advance, you can start to label things good or bad. You may even be able to teach your autistic child about stranger danger using stories that they can relate to.

Learning these basic skills can be a great way for a parent to introduce basic safety skills. Communication is the key to making your child more aware of their surroundings. To learn more about how to improve your child’s safety, consider contacting a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. The analyst can also help you implement new procedures into your autistic child’s routine safely.

[reachingmilestones-blog1-blog]

Apps to engage children with Autism

The Center for Disease Control released a study in 2014, showing that some 1 percent of the world’s population is living on the Autism spectrum. Numbers in the study also show that the United States has higher-than –average rates closer to 15 percent. The number of people diagnosed with Autism has increased and Autism is now the fastest-growing developmental disability. Despite the harrowing news, there is good news too. Doctors and medical professionals are able to recognize and diagnose Autism at an earlier age, which allows for early intervention. In addition, doctors and educators are paying more attention to the disorder and making gaps smaller. This helps make the world a little less intimidating for children with Autism.

Technology has played a big role in advances as well. In particular, products like the iPad make it easier for children with Autism via a variety of resources. You can access various apps on the iPad that assist children with Autism. The programs allows children to address goals at their own pace and without pressure from an overwhelming environment. Some of the best apps available include:

iPrompts

This app allows children to view assigned tasks easily. Photos represent the tasks that need completed you can assign each task a timer to help your child complete them in timely fashion. You can adjust how many tasks show at once to reduce over-stimulation and anxiety.

Garage Band

Music is a great learning tool. Children with Autism seem to do particularly well with it and many even excel in music. The Garage Band app lets children play different musical instruments, record their music and learn to write their own songs.

ABA Flash Cards - Emotions

Facial cues, voice tones and body language are all ways that the average child determines how another child or adult is feeling. Autistic children have a difficult time recognizing these cues as easily. This app features flashcard photos of people and asks the child to determine how the people in the photo are feeling based on their face and body language. It is a great practice tool.

My Horse

Even though children with Autism struggle with empathy, they can learn to be more empathetic by caring for a pet. Buying an animal may not be feasible for many families, but an app may be. This app allows your child to choose a horse, name and register the horse, feed the pet, play with it and know when to put it to sleep. Children can also clean the stall. Kids may also connect with other friends who also have the app.

Kid in Story

Children with Autism often struggle with unfamiliar places and situations. With this app you can help create stories that feature events that have happened or will happen in your child’s life. Create a story about an upcoming road trip or doctor’s appointment to help your child prepare. The fee for the app is $6.99, but you can access the companionship app (which allows sharing between parents, therapists and teachers) free.

My Playhome This app allows your child to play with a dollhouse, without the mess and the stress. Activities your child may participate in include many of the normal “dollhouse” activities, like putting the dolls at a table to eat or play games, arranging furniture and putting kids to bed. The app teaches children how to navigate regular social activities and events separated from the stress of additional children.

Pictello

This story-telling tool lets you create a storybook using your own photos. Children can often relate to a story better when they see photos of people they recognize. This tool is a simple way to help children understand rules and behavior expectations. It is also a great way to initiate discussions in a comfortable setting.

Endless Alphabet

Children can learn the alphabet and big vocabulary words with this musical alphabet game. The game focuses on teaching larger words like bellow and juggle.

iTubeLIst

If your kids like watching videos and listening to music on YouTube, this app is perfect. YouTube has many videos kids enjoy, but it is difficult to block out inappropriate videos. You can create a personalized play list of age-appropriate videos for your children using the iTubelist app. Your children will have access to their favorite videos and you do not have to worry about accidental exposure to inappropriate videos.

Talking Character Apps from Outfit7

Kids enjoy Talking Tom and Talking Angela from this app maker. The apps feature talking pets that can mimic what your children say to them. In addition, children can work through puzzles and other logic games to earn coins for clothing, food and home décor. Children can feed, bathe, dress and put the pet to bed.

[reachingmilestones-blog1-blog]

Preparing for the Summer

What you need to do to make this summer a great one for your child with autism

Summer’s almost here. Whether you plan to take a leisurely family vacation or fill your days with short trips to the beach, you want to make this summer the best one your child with autism has ever had. For many people, summer provides a needed respite from the stress of school or work. But for many children with ASD, that very break can be stressful in its own right. Many children with autism need to have consistent schedules with routines with little variance. Some children have sensory challenges that make the very things that make summer fun for others—bright sunlight, hot weather, and loud noises—feel to them like you do when you hear fingernails scrape a chalkboard. Yet with a few tips, you can help your child with autism have his or her best summer yet.

1.    Maintain a consistent schedule: During the rest of the year, children have a strict schedule to follow. They have a morning routine before leaving for school, a rigorous schedule while at school, and come home to eat dinner, do their homework, play, and go to sleep. If you keep the same schedule as your child had when in school, she or he will adjust much better to summertime activities. During the time your children would have been in school, give them other structured activities that they will enjoy. Chores, sensory-adjusted screenings of films at theaters, swimming and other summer sports lessons all keep your child busy while still enjoying the special activities that summer offers. If you need more ideas for summer activities, ask your child’s therapist.

 2.    Stay on top of health issues: Sticky, hot temperatures mean that your children will need to keep hydrated. Make sure they drink plenty of water. Children with autism may not be able to communicate when they are thirsty. Bring them inside so they can cool off if they are sensitive to the heat or bright sun. Just give them a prompt to get their attention. Keep bugs at bay with bug spray, and be forearmed with lotions to soothe your kids’ skin in case of sunburn or poison ivy. Provide your kids with plenty of healthy summertime snacks.

 3.    When you go on vacation, keep your child’s schedule as normal as possible. Keeping a regular routine gives your child the security of a regular schedule while enjoying new experiences. If your child is sensitive to loud noises, give them some noise-blocking headphones if you plan a trip to a fireworks display or a loud concerts. Try to time your trips to amusement parks and museums for slower days, so your child does not get overwhelmed by crowds. Some kids may find it empowering if you write down a tentative itinerary for the trip. Before you leave, put together a travel bag for each child. Include healthy snacks, water bottles, travel-sized games, books, coloring books, toys, and comfort objects. Children who are busy with activities on long trips are more likely to engage in appropriate behavior.  

 With careful preparation and these tips in hand, you can give your child with autism—and the rest of your family—the best summer they have ever had. Take plenty of photos to etch the summer fun in your children’s minds for a lifetime. If you have any concerns about how to prepare your child for summer fun, be sure to ask your child’s therapist for advice.