New Jersey Leads the Nation in Autism Services

by Jacky G. State Resources
Autism Services and Awareness

Image source: Katscafe.org

A speech therapist can help children with a wide range of issues, from kids with articulation disorders treatable with Speech Buddies to children with severe autism who have extremely limited speech. Autism spectrum disorder affects children in so many different ways. And with the ever-growing public awareness of autism comes a growth in autism services, particularly in New Jersey. New Jersey offers much more in terms of autism services than other states, and this may be because autism rates are much higher in New Jersey than elsewhere in the U.S. According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), autism affects one in 88 children nationwide. In New Jersey, the incidence rate of autism is about one in 50. So what’s so special about New Jersey that would increase the rate so much?

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How to Talk to an Autistic Child & Get a Response

by Jacky G. Autism
Autistic Child Infographic

Image source: Behance.net

Every autistic child is unique, with his own set of particular challenges to overcome. If your autistic child has trouble with communication, talk to his speech-language pathologist (SLP) about at-home speech therapy activities and tools that can help him. Speech Buddies, for example, have helped many kids with autism learn to communicate more effectively. You can also use a few speech therapy techniques to encourage your autistic child to respond to you. It may help to adjust the way you speak. Always keep your audience in mind.

For example, if you’re at a family reunion and somebody asks you what you do for a living, you probably wouldn’t immediately jump into the details of corporate tax news. You’d just say you were a tax preparer because you’re less likely to get a blank stare in response. Likewise, by altering your language and the way in which you use it, you may be more likely to get a response from your child.

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Practical Advice for Parents of an Autistic Child: An Interview with Tim Tucker

by Jacky G. Interviews
The Tucker Family - Raising an Autistic Child

Courtesy: Tim Tucker

Autism can cause a wide range of symptoms, from sensory issues to communication difficulties. Kids with autism often require speech therapy to encourage vocalizations. This week we’re talking with Tim Tucker of Both Hands and a Flashlight about his advice for parents of an autistic child. Tim and his wife, Mary, have two adorable little boys. Jonas (aka J-Man) is 7 and Eli (aka Dale Jr.) is 3 ½ years old. Jonas was diagnosed with autism, and like most parents of an autistic child, Tim and Mary initially struggled to come to terms with the diagnosis. But despite the challenges, Tim advises parents to develop positive affirmations, to embrace the identity of being the parent of an autistic child. Read on to find out Jonas’ speech therapy techniques, and check out Tim’s free e-book, “I Am An Autism Parent.”

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Can Cord Blood Cure Autism?

by Jacky G. News
Cord Blood Bank

Image source: Kunstallations.blogspot.com

When your child was born, you may have counted his fingers and toes and checked him for other signs of health. But not all medical conditions are immediately obvious judging by physical appearance alone. If your child struggles with social interactions and communication, it is possible that he has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a developmental disorder. Researchers have long sought to cure autism, but to date, there is no magic bullet. Now, the Sutter Neuroscience Institute in Sacramento, CA, in collaboration with the Cord Blood Registry, has announced an FDA-regulated clinical trial to evaluate a new way to treat or cure autism.

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An Interview with Bonnie Korman – Mom of Two Special Needs Kids

by Jacky G. Interviews
The Korman Kids

Courtesy: Bonnie Korman

If you’ve done any research into special needs, you’ve probably been surprised by just how many different disorders and conditions can affect speech and language development. Like so many parents of special needs kids, Bonnie Korman and her husband Mark had never heard of Fragile X syndrome before their two boys were diagnosed with it. Fragile X can cause a wide range of symptoms, from communication issues to sensory overload. It’s also closely linked to autism. Today, Bonnie Korman is sharing her advice about parenting special needs kids and guiding them through the ins and outs of life. She’s also offered her tips on preparing kids for the back-to-school season, and notes that it’s important to customize your back-to-school preparation to your child’s unique needs. For more on Fragile X syndrome and the Korman Family’s story, head on over to Bonnie’s blog at The Fragile X Files.

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