It’s the time of year that we all look forward to! Gathering with family and friends over a delicious feast, what could be better?

Thanksgiving is supposed to be a holiday that brings families together in the spirit of gratitude and love. However, for some families this isn’t the case. Families with special needs children, especially autism, may dread the gathering. Guests may not understand your child’s picky eating habits, or unwillingness to socialize and have silly conversations. Instead of laughter and thanksgiving what you really have is arguing, food refusal, tantrums and explosions!

Well-meaning family members give unsolicited advice and tell you if you just do “this” it will all be fixed. If this sounds like your life during the holiday season, then this article is for you. Here are tips to keep your gatherings as stress free as possible and still enjoying time with loved ones.

#1 Prepare in Advance

This step cannot be overlooked! To best support our kiddos with special needs, it's our responsibility to be prepared. Let your guests know what they can expect and what not to expect from your child. Having open communication with others will help when the day arrives, and boundaries are in place. Let family members know if they can help or if its best that they don’t interfere. Encourage everyone to be open minded and to follow your lead without judgement, you know your child best! Remember to prepare your neurodivergent family member as well. Rehearse the day with your kiddo and them know what will be happening and what is expected. Be creative! Preparing can be addressed with a story, game or a conversation. This step cannot be overlooked. Proper preparation is a must!

#2 Involve Everyone

Involve your family members in setting up. The house changes, decorations come out and different foods are presented. This is a lot for someone to take in who may not like change. Involve your kiddo in the process as much as you can. Let them help with decorating! Ask them to color a picture you can display. Let go of a 'perfect decorations expectation' and include your child.

#3 Feasting

Special occasions often present unfamiliar foods reserved for these large gatherings. This is part of the fun! Waiting all year to make Grandma's special apple pie or homemade dinner rolls. While many of us enjoy these special treats, our special needs kiddos may have a harder time with the unfamiliarity. Maybe all your kiddo will eat is mac n cheese. Have this to offer as well! Now isn’t the time to demand he or she eat new and unfamiliar foods. This has to be done in a calmer, less stimulating environment. Make sure there is a favorite food your kiddos are comfortable with so they can enjoy the holiday too.

#4 Safe Space

Set aside a quiet space ahead of time to decompress. Don’t wait until a tantrum or crisis occurs to look for a calming area. Plan this ahead of time and let your special needs child know where it is. Say something like… "this is where you can come when you get upset or feel overwhelmed." If you see your kiddo start to show signs of overstimulation, then you may need to remind him or her to go to the calming area. This can be any space that has been set up with some familiar items where your kiddo can go to destress and be alone if needed. You may also want to use this area for mini breaks throughout the day as well to prevent a behavior crisis. When your child feels safe, they will naturally act calmer. Staying calm is key. Remember, we teach our kids by example, and they feed off our energy. If we are stressed and overwhelmed, they will be too.

#5 Take Care of You

Last but certainly not least, make plans for you the caregiver as well! Once this busy day is over (or days) then make sure you schedule in some 'me' time. Often family members want to help they just don’t know how to. Ask for help! Let them know you need a few hours or an evening to go do something that you love. Doing this will help you recharge and prepare you for the next holiday around the corner, Christmas!

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy this time to reflect on your blessings! As always, for more tips on how we can help with ABA Therapy please reach out.

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I don't know about you, but post Halloween I have pumpkins EVERYWHERE! And like potato chips, you can't have just one. Or two, or three...

We have big pumpkins, small pumpkins, orange pumpkins, white pumpkins, a whole lotta fake pumpkins, and a couple real ones to.

As we've been transitioning into Thanksgiving coming up, I was looking for a way to repurpose some of the pumpkins. So, after searching the internet, I found this ingenious idea from 'The Crazy Craft Lady' of making pumpkins look like adorable little turkeys! I mean, just look how cute this is.

And they are so simple to make. She says the first step is to paint the face on, but I feel like it would be easier for little hands to use markers. If you want to be really fancy, you can use paint pens.

Then you cut out some construction paper feathers, securing with hot glue to the base of the stem. Or, with younger kiddos you can roll pieces of tape and use that to secure the leaves just fine!

That is pretty much it, super easy and simple. Definitely check out her blog post with more detailed instructions.

But what if you don't have an abundance of pumpkins like some of us?

Well, you can make some!

I've made these construction paper pumpkins several times and they are pretty simple. I linked a great video with detailed instructions. In the video she uses glue, but I've found that using a stapler holds up much better. Then when you have your finished pumpkin, it is easily turned into a turkey with colored pencils and some tape.

Besides being cute, crafts actually serve an important role in our kiddos' development.

Bending, shaping, and gluing items together helps to develop dexterity and strengthen fine motor skills. Alongside the physical benefits, using our hands to create fosters a sense of pride and satisfaction. Not only that, but research has also show that it increases self-confidence, decreases stress, and helps relieve anxiety.  

Doing crafts with your kiddo is also a fun way to help them practice following one-step instructions such as 'grab the marker', or 'tape this on.' Crafts help them learn planning skills, practice problem solving, and increase patience.

So, try this one out at home! We would love to see how it turns out. You can email us at admin@sunshineabatherapy.com or tag us on social media.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Links

Mini Turkey Pumpkins - A Simple Thanksgiving Craft - The Crazy Craft Lady

Easy Kids Craft: Construction Paper Pumpkin - YouTube

Creativity, Happiness and Your Own Two Hands | Psychology Today

Happy Halloween!

Can you believe it is already the end of October? Things definitely got away from us this year; I didn't even have time to carve our pumpkin.

This is the holiday kids wait all year for and most parents' dread. From the excess candy, itchy costumes, and "mom can you carry me" it's no wonder Halloween often becomes stressful. But it doesn't have to be! We wanted to share a few tips to make tonight a more readings and enjoyable experience for your family.

This post and several of the tips are inspired from an article linked below by iloveaba.com. Check it out!

Tip #1 Familiarity

If you do choose to trick or treat, consider going to homes that your kiddo is familiar with first. Your good neighbors, friends, and family members that live nearby. People you know will already be familiar with your child's special needs, and seeing a friendly face answering the door will help your kiddo feel more comfortable.

Tip #2 Going When It's Light

Typically trick or treating starts at night, but for kiddos afraid of the dark, this may not be the best option. There is nothing wrong with starting earlier in the evening! This makes it easier to keep an eye on your child and beat the Halloween rush. When you've had your fill of fun, head inside to help your kiddo with their night routine and prepare for school the next day.

Tip #3 Ditch Normal

Does your child refuse to wear a costume? Or have their face painted? Maybe they want to wear pajamas or won't say 'trick or treat.' Who cares! It is alright if your Halloween meets your family's individual needs, whatever they may be. Avoid comparing and do what makes your kiddos happy.

Tip #4 Other Options

If trick or treating doesn't work for your family, that is ok! There are plenty of other options you can do to celebrate from the comfort of your home. From painting, watching a fun cartoon, pumpkin pancakes for dinner, etc. the options are endless.

That's it for this week. Going forward we are changing our blogging style from 'Training Tip Tuesday' to a general weekly post. In these blog posts you'll still see training tips, as well as craft ideas, things explained, recommendations, and more. Definitely stay tuned!

Happy Halloween from the Sunshine Family

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October is the month where I feel like things really start to change. The weather gets a bit cooler, school sports have started playing games, bands are having concerts and competitions. The end of the year also brings exciting holidays and family gatherings with relatives we don't get to see often. With the season changing, family changes, and time flying by the way it does, we also have exciting business changes to announce.

As of last week we officially opened the Orlando clinic where you can come with your kiddos for services!

Working on a room with a dinosaur theme.

While we are still working hard to get everything organized and put together, some clients and families have been able to enjoy sessions in the clinic. To learn a bit more about the benefits of therapy in a clinic setting, check out our previous post announcing the Orlando location :)

If you are looking for clinic based ABA therapy, now is the time to start! While we still have open availability, spots are going pretty quickly.

Message us and we would be more than happy to help you!

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Did you see part 1 of this post last week?? If not definitely go check it out! We discussed strategies for staying 'Cool During Crisis' and ways to help your tantruming child.

So, the hard part is over… now what? After something frustrating happens with raw emotions, our natural tendency as parents is to remind our children what upset us.  Aka, 'The Lecture.'

Do you remember 'The Lecture' when you were a child? I do. It didn't happen very often, but I remember sitting down on the couch and talking through what I had done wrong, why it was a problem, and what my consequences were now. When my own stubbornness got in the way, I would refuse to make eye contact or try to argue. Causing 'The Lecture' to last longer.

Typically following a lecture, a parent will teach their child not to do it again by implementing a punishment.  Although this may seem like the best course let's take a step back and think through some things.

First, how mature is your child? For me, a lecture was effective. I was mature enough to handle it and understand my wrong actions and corresponding consequences.

If you have a special needs child, remember their maturity level is often behind that of their same age peers. In addition, all children are immature (I was too, even though I often thought otherwise).

It can be helpful to ask yourself questions such as:

What is the goal?

Are we planning on teaching or punishing?

As parents we should focus mainly on teaching. This is where true progress is made. So before jumping into that lecture or punishment, consider the following tips.

Tip #1 Love First

Have an attitude of love. Remembering how much you love your child and want the best for them will help as you decide the right way to phrase your thoughts. Your kiddo will be able to pick up on it too. When I was having a lecture, even if I knew my parents were dissapointed, I never questioned that they still loved me and my mistake could be fixed.

Tip #2 Discussion

When your child has calmed enough to talk (if verbal), try discussing what happened and remind them they are safe. Working through the logic of what happened can help with emotional regulation and personal understanding.

Tip #3 Give Attention

Show an increase of attention. Kids get a lot of attention when they are having a tantrum but when it is all over, we want to walk away. This sends the message to the child that attention is given most when I am upset.  We want to increase our positive attention given when our kids are calm and happy. Help them understand by our behavior that we give increased attention when they are more calm and rational.

If a mess was made during the tantrum, now is a good time to let them know you need them to help with clean up. Clean up is not the punishment and should not be seen that way. Clean up time is a natural consequence of the child’s actions. As a parent we should willingly help our kiddos clean up. Doing this sets a good example and sends the message to our children that we will always be there for them, building a foundation of trust. Don't be hesitant to make it fun! Playing music, singing songs, and making it silly can turn a negative into a more positive experience. Overall, the goal is getting the child to help clean up the mess made.

Set realistic goals for the future. Expect another outburst, but also be prepared. Likewise, it is important to prepare your child. This is the time to practice with your child how to respond during a tantrum. What calming strategies can be used? If your child doesn’t like to breath or count when upset, think outside of the box. How about breathing disguised as blowing bubbles? Who doesn’t love bubbles! How about a favorite “calm down” song that you play or sing when things get heated? Having effective calming strategies helps distract from an escalating tantrum and teaches your child how to calmly work through difficult emotions.

Lastly, if a consequence is needed be sure it is a teaching consequence. Think and plan ahead with this question.. what will this teach my child so they can do better next time? As families, we should all be striving together to help each other navigate the daily nuances of life.  

For more tips and strategies in working through behavior, please reach out! We support clients and their families, supporting you no matter what.

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It's been long day.

You picked up your kiddo from school and stopped at the grocery store to grab a few things for dinner. As you are checking out, you notice the king size chocolate bar in their hands. Now, a moment of internal conflict. Do you take the candy knowing full well an explosive tantrum will ensue? Or do you let them have it in an effort to keep the peace?

We all have those moments when we realize our child is about to explode. A full on, screaming, arms flailing tantrum! Not only can it be frustrating and embarrassing, but you may even question your parenting abilities.

After the hurricane passes and peace has been restored, we are left wondering... what just happened? Was there more I could have done?

For Training Tip Tuesday, we decided to share 10 tips to help your child during crisis! Sometimes we can recognize signs that our kiddo is going to go into a tantrum. While each child is unique, the signs and behavior patterns are often consistent.

Ideally, we want to try to stop a tantrum before it begins. You can do this by noticing the behavior signs that signal a tantrum is coming, and then intervene. Redirecting to a different preferred topic, asking simple questions or changing the environment can break the tension before it escalates out of hand.

If this pre-intervention is not working or you don’t catch the tantrum in time, then the following tips will help you deescalate an already tense situation.

#1 Stay Calm

Easier said than done for sure! But this is not the time for you to lose it too. Stay calm and in control, taking deep breaths or even counting to yourself if necessary.

#2 Even Tone

Along with keeping your body language calm, be mindful of your tone of voice. Use a calm even tone. Avoid yelling or sounding overly stressed and anxious.

#3 Time and Place

There is a time and place for everything. Do not try to teach, lecture or negotiate with a screaming child. This is not the time for that, and it will only make you both more frustrated. When someone is screaming, no one is learning. Save the teaching for when you are both in the right frame of mind.

#4 Change Your Environment

If it's possible, move to a quiet, calm environment with less noise and distractions.

#5 We All Need Space

Sometimes we just need space to breathe and process our emotions alone, without the added stress of another person's input or emotions. Prioritizing your child's safety, allow them to have their space. Do not over crowd or hover.

#6 Be Clear and Concise

When speaking use clear, calm language. Ask questions such as, "Are you ready to talk to me?" or "Do you want a drink?" This will distract from the tantrum but will not give in to the demands that may have caused it in the first place. If the child says no or screams say "Alright, we will try again in a few minutes." Interject every few minutes as needed.

#7 Coping Strategies

If your child previously learned a coping strategy such as breathing, blowing pretend bubbles, or stretching then this is the time to redirect to this strategy.  A caregiver can set the example and model the behavior we want to see the child use.

#8 Praise

Calmly praise their attempts to self-calm or self-regulate. Say statements such as "I see you are taking deep breaths, thank you." and "I see you are sitting nicely; I like that."

#9 Use a Visual

Sometimes just refocusing the child on a visual timer, favorite stuffed animal or sensory object may help your child redirect to a calm state.

#10 Refresh and Restart

Once the tantrum has passed and calm is returning, both the caregiver and child should take a drink of water and begin to relax. Taking a drink allows you to reset and move forward with a better focus.

For more information on how to handle post-tantrum, keep your eyes open for part 2 next week. You won't want to miss it!

As always, we are here for you and your family's individual needs. If you have any questions or concerns, definitely reach out! We are ready to help you.

Many young kids have sensory challenges that they deal with. It’s a normal part of adjusting to the environment in which they live. I remember growing up, I didn't like rooms with large groups of people. This was partly because I had hearing loss and couldn't pinpoint where sounds were coming from. In noisy rooms, it sounded like a big, jumbled mess! As I got older, I learned to better adjust.

Sights, sounds, tastes, and movement are all part of our daily living environment. However, in our kiddos diagnosed with Autism, sensory challenges can be more extreme. That's why we decided to focus this week's Training Tip Tuesday on sensory struggles!

Although these sensory challenges are difficult, when we learn and begin to understand them, we will have the right tools to effectively handle when challenges come up. After all, knowledge is power!

For starters, what do sensory challenges even look like?

According to Autism Speaks (linked below) "Many people with autism show certain behaviors when they are experiencing a sensory issue."

These can include the following:

- Increased movement, such as jumping, spinning or crashing into things

- Increased stimming, such as hand flapping, making repetitive noises or rocking back and forth

- Talking faster and louder, or not talking at all

- Covering ears or eyes

- Difficulty recognizing internal sensations like hunger, pain or the need to use the bathroom

- Refusing or insisting on certain foods or clothing items

- Frequent chewing on non-food items

- Frequent touching of others or playing rough

- Difficulty communicating or responding as the brain shifts resources to deal with sensory input aka shutting down

- Escalating, overwhelming emotions or need to escape a situation aka meltdown

So, what can you as the parent do to help?

Starting by shifting your perspective from negative statements to positive statements is the best way to address the challenges you are facing. For example, ask 'how can I help?' instead of 'what is wrong with my child?' Sensory struggles are primarily environmentally based. To support our child, it is necessary that we look at the environment and state.

Sensory challenges are often grouped into 2 main categories. The first is hypersensitivity, which is over responsive behavior to environmental stimuli. Often your child gets overwhelmed and reactive, meaning you'll want to help them stay calm and relaxed. The other type is hyposensitivity, which is under responsive behavior to the stimuli in their environment. Your kiddo doesn't get enough sensory support from their regular environment, so they look for ways to get more. To help a hyposensitive child, you'll want to provide more healthy stimulation. Often special needs children will experience both sensory struggles.

If your child's sensory struggles mainly fall into the category of hypersensitivity, here are some ideas of how you can help support them.

- Using light covers, sunglasses or a hat under bright fluorescent lights

- Wearing ear plugs or headphones in noisy environments

- Setting up workspaces in rooms with a closed door or high walls

- Avoiding products with an overly strong scent

- Choosing foods that avoid aversions to textures, temperatures or spices

- Providing soft and comfortable clothing to wear

- Adjusting your schedule to avoid places during rush hour or with crowds

If your child's sensory struggles mainly fall into the category of hyposensitivity, here are some ideas of how you can help support them.

- Provide visual aids if they have trouble processing spoken information

- Using fidget toys, chewies and other sensory tools

- Arranging the furniture to provide safe, open spaces

- Take frequent movement breaks throughout the day to break up monotony

- Provide foods to eat with strong flavors or mixed textures

- Using a weighted blanket, lap pad or wearing clothing that provides deep pressure

That wraps up our training tip for this week! If you have more questions about supporting your child with sensory struggles, don't hesitate to reach out anytime.

Works Cited

Autism Speaks. “Sensory Issues.” Autism Speaks, 2023,  www.autismspeaks.org/sensory-issues. Accessed 12 Sept. 2023

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You know when you see something so cute and fluffy that you just HAVE to touch it? And physically restrain yourself from squeezing too hard? That was me when we picked up Bella as an 8-week-old puppy almost 3 years ago.

In my humble opinion, Bella was the softest and most adorable puppy in the whole universe! And to prove that she lived up to this title, here are some pictures on her 'gotcha' day.

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See what I mean? Isn't this just the cutest face you've ever seen? Bella the ball of fluff grew QUICK, and it wasn't long before she was stealing the hearts of everyone in the neighborhood.

Now just shy of 3 years old, Bella is full grown and still the fluffiest pup around. Hilarious and always keeping us on our toes, we want to share the happiness she brings us with others as well.

Bella tends to be sensitive. Which makes her great as connecting with others! It also means she is overly dramatic... all the time.

After she snuck downstairs and got caught chewing something, we told her 'no.' Then she decided to pout in the corner.

We were on vacation, breakfast wasn't ready 'on time' according to her standards so she was getting in the way in the kitchen. We told her to go lay down and she got very offended. Even when her breakfast was ready, to prove her point she wouldn't come eat for a while.

Case closed.

Sometimes all you can do is laugh and roll your eyes at her haha. We decided to use this extra sensitivity for good by making her a certified therapy dog. Bella is great with kids, very patient, and just loves to loaf around. Primarily, Bella will focus on improving your kiddo's reading skills. We've noticed that many special needs kids struggle to practice reading. It takes a lot of effort, patience, and they often don't enjoy doing something they aren't immediately good at. Well, who wouldn't want to snuggle up and read books with Bella? In the clinic, we have plans to set up a reading corner where Bella can be integrated into your child's session.

We know your family will love Bella just as much as we do!

Last year Aaron was starting to get sick, but nothing too bad. We assumed he was catching a regular 24hr bug and would be back to normal after a good night's rest. That night Bella laid on him in the picture above. The following day, he was sitting, laying on the couch, or on the ground, she kept sticking her nose right in his ear. Later his ear began hurting and after it didn't get better, we took him to the Dr. where he was diagnosed with an ear infection.

Coincidence? I'll let you decide.

Bella is sweet, emotional, in-tune, and just overflowing with love! We cannot wait for you to meet her. If you are interested in ABA therapy services or even to meet and read to Bella, reach out. We would be happy to welcome you to the Sunshine family!

You can keep up with Bella on instagram and tiktok @readbookswithbella !