Category: Parenting

Toddlers need hand strength to complete everyday functional skills like throwing a ball, stacking blocks, and gripping rails. Hand strength is also important for school skills like using scissors and writing with pencils. Including fun hand strength exercises into your toddler’s play will help them develop their grip and master

Nonverbal games are just as fun as verbal ones. With a few tweaks, we don’t need words to play games and increase our communication skills. Communication skills are important for autistic toddlers and children because these skills don’t come naturally for them. These activities and games for nonverbal toddlers are

Social stories help autistic kids understand and cope with schedule disruptions. Social story printables help parents tell a simple story about coping skills. Big A was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at age two. Reliance on rules and routines is a typical marker of those on the spectrum, and our

I’ll have both my toddler and preschooler home all day during winter break, and I gotta be honest: I’m a little terrified. I’ll need some easy Christmas crafts to take the edge off. I’ve scoured the interwebs for a variety of crafts that can be done quickly with common household

You know who needs gifts? New parents. The first three months of a newborn’s life are commonly referred to as the “fourth trimester.” This phrase was coined by Dr. Harvey Karp and it’s a clinical term for “hellish conditions.” The fourth trimester can be a rough season. New parents are

Smack. Big A starts from his position in my arms. Our heads swivel about. My youngest son is now howling and attempting to pull Big A from my lap. Welcome to a Tuesday afternoon. Big A has recently started school and has been engaging more at home since. Josh and

My youngest son feels aaalll the feelings, intently and in five minute interludes. As the mostly sensible adult that I am, it’s easy for me to side-eye these emotional displays. I understand that Mickey will be right back after a brief commercial. “It’s ok,” I’d respond to my toddler’s emotional

The weather is getting cold and my toddlers are going stir crazy. Thank goodness for fall crafts! Gather your extra fall-colored paper, empty toilet paper rolls, and some apples (don’t forget the glitter!). Encourage creativity, fine motor development and problem solving with these 10 fall crafts for toddlers. 10 Fall

It’s Big A’s birthday month! Big A has grown sooo much this year. He’s more engaging and connected to those around him. His therapists call it “hatching.” Big A’s communication skills have improved in leaps and bounds. He seems to understand everything we say, though that doesn’t mean he always

In the spirit of Big A turning three this month, I’d like to share some of the best toddler toys for autism we considered for his birthday. It’s not so much that a toddler diagnosed with autism can only have certain toys. Or that certain toys that will make symptoms