Where All The Pieces Fit

26/12/2024

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! I have to say that I was very happy with the outcome of our holiday this year. We did not have any meltdowns and my son is now verbalizing when he needs a break from overwhelming situations. So this season was a win in my book!
I would love to hear from my followers on how their holiday was and about the wins and challenges of the season?

10/11/2024

Christmas Sensory Bins!

Christmas time is absolutely my favorite time of year because it incorporates all my favorite scents. From cinnamon to pine, I love them all.
Creating a holiday themed sensory bin is not only fun but can help you incorporate some of the smells and textures that our kiddos will be exposed to during the holiday season. Some of the smells and textures of the season can be a little overwhelming; so using some of those materials in your bin can help children prepare for what they will be dealing with. The different things I like
to put in mine is different pine branches from the different Christmas trees, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, wood chucks, clove, beans, pine cones, and star of Anise. Most importantly have fun with it and incorporate things that you feel are unique to your kiddo and Household!

03/11/2024

While the holidays are a joyous time filled with friends, family, fun times, and exciting activities, for someone with Autism this can be an overwhelming, confusing, stressful, and frustrating time. The holidays come with changes in routine, unfamiliar faces, loud noises, and bright lights. For children on the spectrum it is always good practice to start explaining the events and what they might see and experience ahead of time. Social stories are a great way to do this. Make sure that they have an escape planned if they get overwhelmed. With my son we always make sure that we scope out the place if we are going to an event to determine where we need to go if he experiences a sensory overload. Same goes for family or friend’s houses. Make sure you talk with family or friends ahead of time to make sure there is an outside area or room where your children can go to regulate. I personally like to host the holiday events when I am able so that he can be in his space.
My last piece of advice is please never feel guilty for doing what you think is best for your child. If you need to leave an event early or step out, do not feel bad. The hardest lesson I have had to learn through our Autism journey is that he comes first and I have to make sure that he is in a good space.
Please leave some comments with ideas or things you do with your children. Remember this is a community and we are all here to help and support each other, so your comments are welcomed and truly appreciated.

Thank you and I wish everyone Happy Holidays! Please keep an eye out for more holiday post to come!

30/08/2024

Come out support one of our local organizations.

We recently discovered all of our MAC Members love pizza.

It's something we ALL have in common!

So we're getting very excited about our upcoming Blaze Pizza Fundraiser.

Please join us on September 6, and help us spread the word!
😋🍕

https://www.facebook.com/events/803988204916598/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D

24/08/2024

This is definitely something needed in all states, counties and cities.

17/02/2024

This is wonderful news!

SB1758 will expand services and provide additional funding to disability healthcare services if signed into law

16/11/2023

This is wonderful!

25/10/2023

Please get your free kits

Michigan police found the body of a 2-year-old with autism who wandered away from home. His mom wants to raise awareness about 'elopement.'

17/09/2023

Play Therapy for Children on the Spectrum!

As we all know, children with ASD do not play in the same manner as typically developing children. Children with ASD often lack the ability for imaginative play. While some kids are playing house or cooking in their pretend kitchens, children on the spectrum are often spinning the wheels on their toy cars or lining up their Thomas the trains in a pattern only known to them. So, you ask if a child with ASD cannot engage in symbolic or functional play then how could play therapy be effective for them? I will admit that I was skeptical too at first until my son finished the first year of sessions. I started noticing better eye contact, improved communication, and more typical play behavior. Since children on the spectrum will rarely naturally develop the ability to participate in functional play, play therapists are able to work with children on the spectrum to help them develop their skills by providing a structured play environment. Play for children is the key to their entire world. It involves interacting with others, which develops social skills. It involves sharing, communication, strategizing, and interpreting the intentions and feelings of others, all very important skills for children on the spectrum to develop.

To learn more about play
therapy and it's benefits
you can visit the Association
for Play Therapy or speak to
a local Play Therapist. We
have some wonderfully
talented Play Therapist right
here in our back yard.

20/08/2023

Getting out of the House......As a parent of a young child on the spectrum I definitely understand the fear of leaving the house and venturing out. But I have also realized how very important it is, not only for my child but myself as well. Children on the spectrum are more than capable of learning and developing new skills, but they have to be given the opportunity to do so. Even if it is done in baby steps over a long period of time, exposure is the best way to give them the chance to develop their social skills and find ways to cope with sensory overload. Grocery stores are high up on the sensory overload list of places not to visit. With my son we took it very slowly. We began by going to the store with no expectations of getting out with any groceries. He would sit in the car t with his headphones on and tablet in hand. The first 5 or 6 times we made it about 10 aisles. Once we mastered getting through the whole store with headphones and tablet, we were then ready to remove the tablet. Eventually long story short after about a year Walmart is his favorite place to go every Saturday and he can now make it through the entire store with no headphones or adaptations. One thing I worry about more than anything as an ASD parent is his independence as he grows. Getting him out into the world is one of the many ways I am making sure that he will be able to function as he grows in this crazy world, we live in. I would love to hear from parents in our community on ways you work on getting the kids out and about. What are some ideas and tips you use. Sometimes the best way to learn new tricks is to hear from others that have already tried them. Hit me up on my page, I want to hear from you.

20/08/2023

This one's for the tea lovers and change-makers! 🫖✨ Join us for Sip For Support, an enchanting Afternoon Tea Benefit, where every cup you raise contributes to a brighter future 🤍🌎 Purchase your tickets here: bit.ly/SipForSupport 🎟️💫

Your ticket unlocks a curated selection of teas, paired with mouthwatering tea delights! 😋 But that's not all – get ready for an exhilarating silent auction filled with treasures generously provided by our incredible community 🫶 And – for those with a flair for fashion, don't miss our much-anticipated Best Hat Contest – your chance to shine and win the coveted 'Best Hat' title 👒🏆

Beyond the scrumptious bites and stylish hats, your presence resonates with the heart of our cause 🙏 Tickets are limited, so secure yours now to be part of an afternoon bursting with connections and the joy of creating positive change! 🙌