Sleep issues are a common concern for children on the autism spectrum and can significantly impact their overall well-being and development. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects social communication and behaviour and is often accompanied by sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and other conditions that can interfere with sleep. Sleep problems can include…

Stimming, short for self-stimulatory behaviour, refers to repetitive or rhythmic movements or sounds a child engages in to stimulate their senses. These behaviours include hand-flapping, rocking, spinning, repeating words or phrases, and making repetitive noises. Stimming is often associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental conditions, but it can also be observed in…

What is a non-verbal cue? The best way to describe a non-verbal cue is to think about facial expressions and body language. Some studies say there are seven non-verbal cues, and others say ten. So here are the ten to ensure we don’t miss any: Facial Expressions Gestures Paralinguistics (tone, loudness, inflection, and pitch of…

Children with ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) may face additional challenges on their first day of school. However, there are several strategies that parents and teachers can use to help these children have a successful start to the school year. First, it is important to communicate with the child’s teacher and school staff about the child’s diagnosis…

Raising a child with a disability has challenges for the child with the disability and their siblings too. Siblings often feel left out but need to feel they are just as important as their sibling with a disability. They need to know the people in their lives care about them and understand what they are…

Why do some kindergarten children refuse naps while others have a meltdown without an afternoon snooze? Researchers suspect it may have much to do with a specific memory-related part of the brain. While young children all need a lot of sleep, they vary widely when they stop napping during the day. Some leave naps behind…

During childhood, when you bring your child to see a Paediatrician and other specialist services regularly, it may be easy to overlook the role of your GP in your child’s care. Your GP remains an important member of your team over time. In addition to providing health care, referrals and prescriptions as needed, your GP…

Most children with ASD are not diagnosed until approximately four years old, yet ASD can be reliably identified by the age of two. There is also expanding research on the early identification of infants who may be at risk for ASD. There are numerous reasons why early diagnosis helps not just the child but also…