There are many different traits and behaviors that are often associated with autism and related disorders, including literal thinking.
Literal thinking, sometimes referred to as concrete thinking, refers to the way in which we view the world around us. By definition, literal thinkers “may take information at face value without thinking beyond or generalizing the information to other meanings or situations.”
However, this manner of thinking can sometimes lead to communication issues, in children (or adults) with autism and related disorders, when they are introduced to abstract concepts.
Children with autism and related disorders tend to think literally because they tend to adopt a more concrete thought process. They like to be able to understand what is happening around them, meaning that they’ll find automatic trains of thought to be confusing as they are not always sensical or straightforward.
Literal thinking can come in handy in many different areas of your child’s life. For example, it often enables them to perform well in school, especially in subjects that are based in fact or the ability to recognize patterns. For example, in one study by Stanford University, “children with autism and average IQs consistently demonstrated superior math skills compared with non autistic children in the same IQ range.”
Literal thinking can also help your children make smarter, more informed decisions in other areas of their life, as they’re better able to assess the situation and determine the best course of action. Furthermore, employers are often on the lookout for literal thinkers.
As discussed above, one of the biggest issues that children with autism and related disorders encounter with literal thinking is difficulty understanding abstract thoughts and concepts.
While neurotypical people may find it easy to use idioms such as “under the weather”, or “piece of cake”, various studies have found that “children with ASD face greater difficulty than normal children in understanding idioms; they fail to consider social context and tend to interpret expressions literally.” For example, if they are told that information came “straight from the horse’s mouth”, this could be a point of confusion for them.
More generally, this thought pattern also means that children with ASD may also be more straight to the point when communicating with others – which can sometimes appear as though they are being rude. While this is not the case, it can make it harder for them to communicate, especially among others within their age group.
However, there are many ways in which you can encourage your child to become more familiar with abstract thinking or abstract concepts. For example, simply talking about different idioms and how they are used in conversation can help them to better understand why they exist. You could even turn this into a fun game, where each person has to guess the meaning of the idiom, or where it came from.
Therapeutic services can also prove useful when it comes to helping your child see the world from a different perspective, whether they’re enrolled in speech therapy or ABA.
If you’d like to find out more or would like to meet one of our qualified, friendly therapists, please do not hesitate to get in touch today.
While autism and related disorders impact different individuals in different ways, many individuals with autism develop a special interest.
In fact, one study found that some 75-95% of autistic individuals have a special interest that often begins during childhood but sticks with them throughout their life.
Working to better understand your child’s special interests can help you provide them with support and guidance moving forward.
Special interests are best defined as “an intense focus on specific topics.” For example, if given the opportunity, your child may dedicate all their free time to this interest or bring it up in conversation at every opportunity.
Various research studies are dedicated to understanding why children with autism may develop special interests. For example, some researchers believe that “young children with autism may experience greater rewards from non-social stimuli than social stimuli, causing them to turn to special interests rather than social contact.”
Alternatively, their passion may be grounding, providing them with a sense of structure – which is something that many autistic individuals favor.
Children with autism and related disorders may develop a special interest in a range of topics. However, some tend to be more popular than others. This includes:
There are many benefits associated with allowing your child to explore their special interests and passions. For example, they can:
As such, you should support your child with their passions as much as possible, so long as they are not becoming problematic. For example, try not to shut down any conversations about their special interest, even if they’ve been talking at length. Instead, show you care by asking plenty of questions.
Special interests are somewhat narrow. This means that in some instances, they can become restrictive and consuming, meaning that children withdraw from other opportunities to pursue them. This can sometimes be challenging for both the child and those around them.
As such, you must encourage your child to develop various hobbies and interests. For example, sign them up for extracurricular clubs and activities that broaden their horizons.
You can make this seem more exciting for your child by trying to choose hobbies that complement their special interests. For example, if they have developed a special interest in Film & TV, you could encourage them to try writing their own stories, join a film club or even learn about cameras and how they work.
You may also want to discuss your child’s particular interest with their therapist, who can suggest other interventive methods to limit its hold over your child.
If you’d like to find out more or would like to meet one of our qualified, friendly therapists, please do not hesitate to get in touch today.
Emotional regulation is something that we all struggle with – even into adulthood. However, the way in which we regulate our emotions varies on a case by case basis – and the same can be said for children with autism and related disorders.
Many children with autism use ‘stimming’ as a form of emotional regulation, which is why you may already be familiar with the term. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what stimming is, and steps you can take to support your child.
Stimming is short for self-stimulating, and refers to repetitive behaviors/actions carried out by individuals as a form of emotional regulation or self-soothing. While seemingly ‘random’, they provide the individual with a sense of comfort, especially when they feel overwhelmed.
According to Autism.Org, Typically stimming behaviors could include:
There are many different reasons why a person may ‘stim’. For example, it could be seen as an “an attempt to gain sensory input, eg rocking may be a way to stimulate the balance (vestibular) system; hand-flapping may provide visual stimulation.” Alternatively, it can be an involuntary response to emotional stress or anxiety.
As a parent, it’s only natural to want to intervene when your child seems distressed. However, in most cases, stimming is a response mechanism, meaning that it actually helps them to calm down and intervention is not strictly necessary.
Intervention may be required if stimming behaviors leave your child at risk of physical injury. For example, this could include behaviors such as headbanging, scratching or biting. In these cases, parents should:
Identify (and remove) the trigger. Stimming is often not ‘randomized’, but rather a direct response to something happening around them. For example, children who are sensitive to loud noises may stim when in crowded or noisy environments. Identifying triggers enables you to remove your child from the situation and better avoid them in the future.
Learn to redirect. Parents of neurotypical and neurdiverse children alike often become adept at redirecting their children. For example, you may use toys to distract them when they are about to start crying. These same techniques can come in handy when redirecting a child who may be at risk of hurting themselves. For example, using the same example as above, if their stims are the response to loud noises, you could hand them some headphones that either cancel out noise completely or play their favorite songs.
If your child is enrolled in interventive therapy, such as ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) or Physical Therapy, you will also be able to discuss behaviors such as stimming with their therapist. This way, you can decide upon a suitable course of action moving forward, or find ways in which you can better support your child in their daily life.
If you’d like to find out more about the therapeutic services we offer, both online and in-person, please do not hesitate to get in touch today.
As we move into November, Thanksgiving is just around the corner.
Not only is now the perfect time to perfect your pumpkin pie recipe, but you should also ensure that you are planning celebrations that the whole family can enjoy, including those who may be neurodiverse.
After all, for children with autism and related conditions, large events such as thanksgiving parties and celebrations can be a cause of great stress. There are various reasons for this. For example, they may be forced to deviate from their routine or be surrounded by crowds and loud noises at parades.
However, this does not mean that they cannot join in the fun of this family celebration.
With that in mind, here are some simple steps you can take to ensure your thanksgiving celebrations are autism-friendly.
Whether you’re heading to a parade or are cooking for a houseful of lovely, but very noisy guests, noise-cancelling headphones can be a lifesaver for children who display sensitivity to sounds and loud noises. Explain to others guests that they are not being rude or trying to get out of the conversation, they’re simply keeping themselves comfortable.
One of the best things about Thanksgiving is the food – and while you may want to encourage your child to diversify their palette and eat all their veggies, it’s not worth pushing these changes at a time when they may already be feeling overstimulated. Instead, let them choose what they would and would not like to eat – and don’t push them if they aren’t feeling super hungry.
As mentioned above, disrupted routines can sometimes leave children with ASD feeling stressed or overwhelmed. This is because they rely on the familiarity that a routine provides. One way in which you can make this time a little easier on them is by putting together a routine for the holidays – this way, they know what to expect from each day. You should also spend some time discussing your plans with them, so they can ask any questions they might have.
Whether your child attends family therapy or occupational therapy, discussing the upcoming holidays with their therapist can also be a great way to prepare them for the changes and oncoming chaos. For example, it could give them the chance to develop coping skills that they can apply when they feel overstimulated.
Your home is likely your child’s safe space, again due to the fact that it provides them with a sense of familiarity. However, as many of us travel to spend time with family over the holidays, it’s important that you find a way to help them find familiarity in unfamiliar environments. For example, you should bring along some of their most treasured toys and belongings. You could also make it easier for them to fall asleep by bringing their favorite bedding along, so the guest room feels a little more like home.
Children with autism spectrum disorder often have particular food preferences. Chicken nuggets, crackers, macaroni and cheese, and bread tend to be foods that these kids accept and love. Gently expanding that list of foods can be excellent for nutrition and getting new sensory experiences. Here are some ways to get started:
But take away the pressure of eating it! Eating a new type of food can be an overstimulating sensory experience. New smells, colors, textures, and tastes can be too much all at once. Place the novel food on the child’s plate without the expectation that they’ll eat it. Tolerating the food on their plate is a significant first step for exposure to new foods. If it is too much to have it on their plate, keep putting it on yours until they are more acclimated to it.
“Don’t play with your food” is outdated, especially for kids with special needs. Children with ASD benefit significantly from having a positive experience with food. Make pictures by putting yogurt or hummus on a plate and letting them trace lines into it with their fingers. They might even have a taste before they are finished. Have some fun by making popsicles with fresh fruit or building a structure with grapes and toothpicks.
Food bridges are an excellent strategy for kids of all ages and abilities. Start with food that the child is comfortable with, say, salty crackers. This will be the base food. Now change one thing about that food. In this case, it might be the shape, the brand, a whole wheat option, or a dip that they can add on themselves. Keep changing only one thing at a time. The progression might look like: Salty cracker à whole wheat cracker à whole wheat cracker with yogurt dip à whole wheat cracker with yogurt dip with ½ a teaspoon of peanut butter added, and so on. If the child doesn’t accept the next step in the food bridge, go back to their last successful step and make a shorter bridge.
While it is easier to make one meal that everyone will eat, try not to get stuck in the routine of planning meals around those limited preferred foods. If kids don’t see nutritious options regularly, they are more likely to avoid them altogether when encountering those options in the future. For some kids, seeing something on another person’s plate without explanation or expectation actually piques their interest.
When placing a new food on a child’s plate, make sure it is small in amount. Don’t start with a raw carrot stick if you’re introducing carrots. Instead, cook it (this texture might be easier for some kids to tolerate), and offer a quarter of a sliced baby carrot. This is less intimidating for kids, and if they do try it, an outstanding small win for everyone! They might even ask for more.
Many parents feel overwhelmed when their child receives a diagnosis for autism or a related condition, as they wonder what kind of impact this will have on their lives. And, while it’s important to note that autism is not a debilitating condition that will stand in the way of your child’s long-term success, there are certain steps you can take to make their day-to-day life easier.
For example, you could explore a range of therapies, such as Intensive ABA therapy or online therapies. Alternatively, you could focus on making changes within your home, such as by creating a sensory room or curating a consistent routine. In recent years, varying studies have also found that owning a pet can be incredibly beneficial for children with autism and related disorders.
Of course, it goes without saying that pets are good for children on a general scale. They provide them with companionship, while also teaching them to be more responsible and mature.
The main benefits of owning a pet, or pet therapy, for those with autism, are:
Improved communication skills. Children with autism or related disorders may sometimes struggle to communicate effectively or find their voice. And, while they’ll not be able to have a “conversation” with their pet, the way in which they interact with them may help them to improve their communication skills. This can be particularly useful for those who “communicate non-verbally, as they will find other ways to interact and create a strong bond with the animal.” (1)
Lower levels of stress and anxiety. Those with autism or ASD are also more prone to dealing with anxiety disorders, both as children and adults. For example, a recent study found that “20% of autistic adults have an anxiety disorder, compared with less than 9% of typical adults”. (2) Owning a pet is scientifically proven to lower anxiety, given that playing with your pet will increase the levels of serotonin and dopamine that your body produces. These hormones are famed for the ability to calm and relax the nervous system.
The opportunity to follow a routine. As mentioned above, children with autism and related disorders thrive in stable environments (i.e. when following routines). Many pets, such as dogs and cats, also respond positively to routines. For example, they like to go for walks or be fed at the same time each morning/evening. This means that owning a pet can help your child follow a routine, giving them the structure they crave.
Pets are trusted companions. One of the major benefits of owning a pet is that they provide you with companionship and friendship, no matter which animal you choose to own. They are also non-judgmental, which can be incredibly comforting for children (and adults) who often feel judged in their daily lives. To put it simply, your pet will always be there for you.
Increased sense of empathy. It’s a harmful myth that those with autism and related disorders are unemotional, they simply express themselves in a way that is slightly different to their neurotypical peers. That being said, owning a pet can help them strengthen their empathy, or at least their outward expression of empathy as they learn to care for the complex needs of their pet.
1) Golden Care Therapy, “PETS AND ANIMAL THERAPY FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM”.
2) Spectrum News, “One in five autistic adults may have an anxiety disorder”.
Kids with autism spectrum disorder tend to have play patterns that they repeat over and over. Her favorite character from Netflix? It’s the only one she’ll play with. His cars that he seems to adore? He only wants to line them up again and again. Children on the autism spectrum tend to engage in stereotyped, restricted, scripted, and solo play. So how do we guide children to expand these play patterns so they can learn and grow? Here are seven things to try.
Take some time to intentionally observe the child at play. What do they enjoy? What gets them excited? You’ll want to have a solid idea so that when you offer opportunities to extend their play, they’ll accept due to their peaked interest.
You likely have an idea of your child’s interests, so now look closer at how they engage with their play interests. Think about what kind of play the child gravitates toward. Some kids enjoy visual stimulation and can be found spinning tops or bringing toys close to their eyes so they can inspect them more clearly. Others like to bang toys together to create sound or feel various textures. Take note and inspiration from how your child engages.
Many children with ASD have difficulty with the open-ended nature of play. Slowly and gradually provide strategies to give activities more form. If they enjoy lining up cars, use tape to make parking spots and demonstrate parking the vehicles. This will take some time and patience, but they’re much more likely to engage when you use this strategy alongside the child’s interests. Other ways to add structure include:
Practicing taking turns
Modeling play
Using a visual schedule
Adding more steps to a play routine
While adding structure can be a great way to learn and grow, be sure to follow your child’s lead during play. It is a delicate balance. However, creating these learning opportunities on the spot is beneficial to their learning and eagerness to try something different playfully.
These are unique for each child with and without an ASD diagnosis. Some children excel at math, and others are very caring toward animals. When you offer play opportunities, tap into your child’s strength. For example, the child who loves animals and math may be interested in counting and feeding the animals in a barnyard toy.
Provide positive reinforcement when your child tries something new during playtime. Even simply reminding the child, “I enjoy playing with you!” can reframe their perception of play.
The environment around the child impacts their success with play. When toys are disorganized, are placed on open shelves, or too many options are available, the child is more likely to flutter from activity to activity without meaningful play. Offer limited and versatile options for a more profound play experience.
Neurodiverse children and adults experience the world in different ways to neurotypical people. For example, they may respond differently to sounds, sights, and sensations due to how they process the things happening around them.
However, the issue is that the world is built for neurotypical people and their comfort, meaning that the varying needs of the neurodiverse population are not taken into account. While there has been plenty of positive change in terms of inclusivity (such as sensory-friendly film screenings) in recent years, there is still a long way to go.
As a result, psychologists have developed a range of intervention techniques used to support those with autism and related disorders so that they can reach their full potential. One such intervention is therapy.
In this guide, we will walk you through some of the different forms of therapy available at our clinic and how to decide which program is right for you.
Applied behavior analysis, or ABA, is a therapy program based on our behaviors, habits, and thought patterns. It teaches children with autism and related disorders how one action can lead to another – making it a great way to promote positive behaviors and decrease those that may be problematic.
During ABA sessions, children will:
ABA therapies were designed with conditions such as autism in mind, meaning they are suitable for any child who has received a diagnosis. However, you may find them particularly beneficial if your child showcases a lot of negative behaviors.
As the name indicates, speech therapy targets any problems the user may have with speech or communication. It has been used to support those with various speech impediments since 1919 – making it an incredibly reliable intervention technique.
During speech therapy, children will:
You may find speech therapy beneficial if your child is non-verbal or finds it hard to communicate with others. Ahead of time, your therapist will be able to talk you through the program and the different techniques that will be used. For example, one way in which we improve speech during our sessions is by practicing exercises that strengthen the muscles in our mouth, jaw, and neck. They will also be able to inform you about what kind of progress you can expect during your time together.
Occupation therapy is perhaps the most popular therapy for children and related disorders. It focuses on helping children develop a range of daily living skills to better navigate the world around them – touching on both cognitive and physical skills in doing so.
During occupational therapy, children will:
As a result, occupational therapy can be useful for all children with autism and related disorders due to the wide scope of skills it covers. As your program can be tailored to your child’s individual needs, it can be used to cover any gaps in their knowledge or skill set that would otherwise stand in their way of reaching their full potential. As such, it may be beneficial for children who are experiencing developmental delays. For example, you may notice that your child reaches certain milestones much later than their older sibling did.
Whenever we think of therapy sessions, it’s easy to think of the way they are depicted in movies – where you lie on a sofa and work with a therapist one-on-one. However, this is not always the case. To begin, therapies for children are much more active, as this is often the best way to make progress. Furthemore, group therapy – whether that be in the form of family sessions or peer support groups, can also prove to be very beneficial when it comes to autism and related disorders.
During group therapy, children will:
Group therapy can be an excellent way for your child to come out of their shell, especially as it helps them interact with other children who experience the world the same way they do. It can also be a valuable tool for families, as it gives you a greater insight into what your child is experiencing and gives you the chance to connect with other parents. For siblings of those with autism, it can help them learn why their brother/sister acts a little differently.
At Alee Behavioral, we’re passionate about helping children with autism, and related disorders develop the skills they need to thrive in all aspects of their life – from social interactions to schooling. One way in which we achieve this goal is by offering a wide range of therapy services that target different areas in which they may need support.
For example, we use speech therapy to help children with autism develop their communication skills and find their voice. Another effective therapy practice is known as occupational therapy.
Occupational therapy is a service that aims to help the user develop a range of daily living skills that allow them to navigate their way through a complex world. These services are often used to help younger users transition into the school environment, connect with their peers, and learn how to take care of themselves. They can also support those who may deal with sensory processing issues – which is a common complication for those with autism. In fact, a recent study found that approximately 80% of children with autism deal with some form of sensory processing issue.
During occupational therapy sessions, your child will work one-to-one with Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) and could work on any of the following:
To find out more about occupational therapy or the other clinical services we have on offer, please do not hesitate to get in touch today. We’d love to hear from you!
Our success, both within our personal lives and in the professional realm, is often dictated by how we are able to communicate with those around us. After all, so much of our time is dedicated to social interaction and interpersonal relationships, even during the pandemic when the majority of these interactions occurred behind the screen.
However, for children with autism and related disorders, developing effective communication skills is harder than it would be for the average neurotypical person. In fact, it’s estimated that 40% of people with autism are nonverbal – with many others finding verbal or face-to-face communication difficult (AutismSpeaks)
While no two people experience autism in the same way, those with autism or related disorders may face communication barriers such as:
However, there are various steps you can take to help your child with autism find their voice – with one of the most effective methods being therapy services such as speech therapy.
Speech Therapy has a long and well-documented history and rose to prominence in the early 19th century. While it is an effective tool for those with autism and related disorders, it is also used to support children and adults with learning difficulties, language disorders, and those who experience hearing loss (amongst others).
During the typical speech therapy session, participants will work alongside a licensed therapist to develop a wide range of communication skills that will enable them to thrive in any environment.
These services often help children with autism and related disorders in all aspects of their life. For example, they may find it easier to communicate with their peers and develop better interpersonal relationships as a result. They can also help ready teens for entering the professional world. However (and perhaps most importantly), speech therapy can help children with autism, and related disorders discover the benefits of self-expression. When they can communicate more effectively, they’ll be able to let others know when they are unhappy and why – which could reduce the chances of them dealing with meltdowns or emotional outbursts.
Again, the nature of the speech therapy support will vary depending on the individual in question. However, these sessions often include:
At Alee Behavioral, we provide children with autism and their families with a range of therapy services – including speech therapy, Applied Behavioral Analysis, and home-based therapeutic services. Get in touch to find out more!
Amazing Kids. Amazing Progress. Alee is a leading provider of clinic, school and home-based pediatric behavioral healthcare in New England.