Screen Time: Why It’s Risky for Brains with Autism

We hear a lot about screen time and the effects on developing brains, but children and young people with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) are particularly at risk of adverse side-effects. Families struggling to cope with life with a child or teen with ASD are also at greater risk because of the exacerbated symptoms of excess

What Are Your Plans for Self Care and Smart Action This Year

That’s right! What are your plans for self care and smart action this year? Check this out! This week we have a vlog! Feel free to watch above or read below. Hey, how are you? It’s the beginning of the year. It’s the first week of term here in New South Wales where we are.

Tips for Surviving the First Weeks of School

Written By Deb Hopper, Occupational Therapist Planning for Back to School Success Summer holidays are ending here in Australia in the next few days. As parents’ ideas for how to fill in time start to dwindle, and we finish off the back to school shopping, it’s really important to talk to and plan with our

Supporting Children Through End of Year Routine Changes

Here are great and useful pointers on supporting children through end of year routine changes! It’s that time of year again, when we are all coming towards the end of another school year. As the end of term approaches and the summer holidays beckon, we can all look forward to a relaxed and chilled out

Depression in Parents with Children with Special Needs

Learn the depression in parents with children with special needs… and how to help them Recently I came across a Facebook post on my feed and I shared it to my Life Skills 4 Kids Facebook page and I was just blown away by the impact. This post was entitled “Special Needs Parent Depression”. Within

Creating the Best Home Environment for Your Autistic Child

Great Ideas for Creating the Best Home Environment for Your Autistic Child Written by : Jenny Wise, Special Home Educator Autism affects the way a child interacts with the world around them. As parents, it’s important that we do whatever we can to keep our children comfortable and safe. While you can’t adapt the entire

Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and Anxiety – How are they similar and different ?

Written By Deb Hopper, Occupational Therapist Does your child (or the children you work with) have Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)? Does your child (or the children you work with) have anxiety? How do you know where a child’s SPD and anxiety begin and end? Have you noticed that your child’s (or the children you work

How Do Fidget Toys Help Kids Learn and Manage Anxiety?

What are fidget toys? How do the different shapes of fidget toys help kids learn and manage anxiety? Are fidget toys effective tools or classroom distractions? There are a lot of claims that fidgets toys have been very useful tools in improving concentration and focus in students with ADHD. Fidget toys…. fidget spinners… Kids love

Alternate Seating in the Classroom to Improve Concentration and Attention

Written By Deb Hopper, Occupational Therapist Alternate seating in the classroom to improve concentration and attention The impact of the environment on kids being able to concentrate and attend to learning are becoming much more accepted. Gone are the days when kids had to sit in rows, be silent and never speak until spoken to.

Supporting Emotional Well Being At Home Using Visuals

Written By Deb Hopper, Occupational Therapist Do you struggle in supporting emotional well being at home for your ASD child? As parents, we all want our kids to be happy, well adjusted and enjoying life. Kids with ASD respond to using visuals to understand routines, transitions and expectations of them. In the school environment, ASD