Our Content
Perspectives For Parents:
Advice & Support from Parents & Caregivers
Kitchen Conversation, Summer Style: How to mix OT into summer fun
July 16, 2020
Carrie Alvarado is the creator and director of the Earliest Connections Clinic and the DIRFloortime/PACT (Pediatric Autism Communication Therapy) Hands-on Family Empowerment program at Autism Community Network (ACN), a non-profit focused on provision of both interdisciplinary diagnosis and innovative intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder.
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Kitchen Conversation: Speech Therapy at Home
June 24, 2020
Cindy Harrison is a speech language pathologist practicing in Ottawa, Canada. Cindy’s area of clinical focus is the assessment and intervention for children/youth and young adults with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities. Cindy is also senior faculty with Profectum, a not for profit training institute that specializes in training clinicians in DIR/Floortime.
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Kitchen Conversation: Mental Health Counseling at Home
June 17, 2020
Marcela Mota Aversa, clinician, Preschool Outreach Program, The Home for Little Wanderers (Boston, MA)Marcela Mota Aversa is a Clinician & Early Education Mental Health Consultant at The Home For Little Wanderers and a Gallery Educator at the Museum of Fine Arts.
Read moreKitchen Conversation: Applied Behavior Analysis at Home
June 10, 2020
Zack Storer is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Clinical Director at St. Nicholas Center for Children. His clinical experience includes 10 years of work with clients of various ages with Autism and Developmental Delays using Applied Behavior Analysis.
Read moreKitchen Conversation: Occupational Therapy at Home
June 3, 2020
Carrie Alvarado is the creator and director of the Earliest Connections Clinic and the DIRFloortime/PACT (Pediatric Autism Communication Therapy) Hands-on Family Empowerment program at Autism Community Network (ACN), a non-profit focused on provision of both interdisciplinary diagnosis and innovative intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder.
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Who will hug my son when I can’t visit?
April 14, 2020
It’s Friday at 5:30, the time I usually pick up my son at his residential house. I know he’s standing by the door waiting to get in the car and come home for the weekend like he usually does.
Read more5 tips for home-bound families of children with a disability
April 1, 2020
A routine is something familiar that happens everyday. The familiarity of this routine feels safe and can help us feel grounded during a time that feels unsettled. It can be as simple as reading together before bed, or getting dressed after breakfast.
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How do we embrace the day at home with our kids with disabilities?
March 27, 2020
Like all parents, we are doing our best to figure out a routine that works for our family, all while maintaining homes, jobs and relationships. Our top priority, of course, is health and safety.
Read moreThe Power in Wondering
February 12, 2020
We all wonder. We wonder about the future and what it holds for us and for our loved ones. We wonder about our careers, our relationships, and our contributions to our community. Some of us wonder about accessibility:
Read moreGently Falling Snow… and Yesterday’s Coffee, Fresh Out of the Microwave.
December 20, 2019
’Tis the season of beautifully wrapped Hallmark movies and perfectly curated Instagram stories. Don’t get me wrong, I love to look at the festive houses, the cheerful family outings, or the snow falling gently while someone calmly and slowly sips a hot cup of tea.
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Does Anybody Else Have Very Emotional Kids This Time of Year?
December 12, 2019
This morning, after the off-to-school rush, I settled in with my computer and my coffee and started to work. Well, if I’m being honest, I opened up Facebook.
Read moreSome Weeks are Just…Extra.
October 31, 2019
I am thinking of all of you today, whether you are sitting in your car for an extended time fighting off tears before walking into work or if you’re just back from a run and feeling like you’re ready to take on the day, whatever it holds.
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Q: What Makes the Exceptional Lives’ Resource Directory Exceptional?
October 4, 2019
Our Resource Directory team is dedicated to listing accurate and up to date information for families and providers. Have you ever searched for information you need, only to click on the link and it’s not available anymore? Or called a provider but the phone number has changed? We have. And it is incredibly frustrating.
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When Should I Start Thinking About Guardianship?
August 2, 2019
Is your child almost 18? If you’re wondering about different ways you can help your child with decision-making, or whether or not you need to apply for guardianship, we’ve created a short guide to discuss the options and walk you through the process.
Read moreLetter to Mica’s Class
July 12, 2019
This morning I read this beautiful note from a fellow mom to her son’s classmates. We work so hard to find the right placement, the right supports, the right accommodations (working on IEP goals? Read more here!).
Read more“Please don’t climb the curtains”
June 26, 2019
Ahhh the lazy days of summer. Kids playing nicely under a tree while sipping lemonade innocently exploring together or on a mission to the corner store for a popsicle….What?!That sounds LOVELY but also unrecognizable.
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Does Your Child Sometimes Wander Away and Get Lost?
June 14, 2019
There are things you can do to keep them safe. Here's what you can do:Use visual supports, like a social story or checklist. These can help teach your child not to wander off and what to do if they are lost.Teach your child their address and phone number if possible.Get special door locks and…
Read moreEmergency Plan for Families with a Child with a Disability in 2019
June 7, 2019
As our friends down south enter hurricane season, here are some tips to help your family prepare. In any emergency, we must make sure all individuals with disabilities have a plan in place to address their various needs. Being forced to leave home without notice, and without the things that make home a familiar…
Read moreA Note to Caregivers Making Tough Choices
May 13, 2019
Dear Mom/Dad/Grandparent/Aunt/Uncle doing the thing the other caregivers are not, Hi. I’m a mom. (I’m other things, too, but for the purpose of this letter, I’m a mom.) I’m writing because I see you, and I want you to know you’re strong. I recognize in your quiet presence that maybe you chose a different route…
Read moreSometimes I Hate Social Media
April 18, 2019
Sometimes I sign into social media and am flooded with “shoulds”. I should make time for that upcoming event. I should set up some park dates. I should take time for self-care. I should be practicing exercises with my child. I should research summer camps. I should, I should, I should. Sometimes I sign into…
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