by Tara McClintick | Mar 2, 2017 | Attitude and Integrity, Autism, Challenging Behaviors, Communication and Education, Health, Health Challenges, Nutrition Awareness and Discussion, Planning for Success, Spiritual, Supporting Child Development
Parents of a child who has special needs will almost surely hear at one time or another, “Now you know your child will never [fill in blank.]” These gloom and doom forecasts are meant to be helpful, I know. They are meant to prepare us for REALITY. I used to get...
by Tara McClintick | Mar 2, 2017 | Autism, Challenging Behaviors, Communication and Education, Interactive Adaptable Games, Supporting Child Development
Persuading a child on the severe end of the autism spectrum to engage in verbal exchanges can be quite a challenge, and I’ve found that ENJOYMENT works better than anything else. I’m super grateful for the Dr. Seuss classic Mr.Brown Can Moo, Can You? My son, Jake,...
by Tara McClintick | Mar 2, 2017 | Attitude and Integrity, Autism, Challenging Behaviors, Health Challenges, Planning for Success, Supporting Child Development
The Challenge When you are saying these words, what you want most desperately is for someone, ANYONE, to help you figure out how to get your kid to stop smearing poo. Stop touching it, playing in it, smearing it, eating it, and so forth – how can I get my child to...
by Tara McClintick | Mar 2, 2017 | Attitude and Integrity, Autism, Challenging Behaviors, Spiritual, Supporting Child Development
Full version of this story entitled “Overcoming my ‘Autism'” is published in When God Spoke To Me by DavidPaul Doyle It was a beautiful day as I cheerily loaded my kids in the car to take my youngest son, Jake, to Occupational Therapy. He eagerly...
by Tara McClintick | Mar 2, 2017 | Autism, Planning for Success, Supporting Child Development
Having gone on family vacations to various beaches since I was a small child, I’ve never been afraid of swimming in the ocean. Even when the waves were big or rough, I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of trying to ride them to shore. I’ve become a bit more chicken,...
by Tara McClintick | Mar 2, 2017 | Attitude and Integrity, Autism, Challenging Behaviors, Nutrition Awareness and Discussion, Planning for Success, Spiritual, Supporting Child Development
Holiday gatherings have led to some of the most humongous meltdowns we’ve experienced with my youngest son Jake, who is diagnosed on the severe end of the autism spectrum. I can’t say I haven’t joined him a time or two either! Once the tears have cleared and the...
by Tara McClintick | Mar 2, 2017 | Autism, Challenging Behaviors, Interactive Adaptable Games, Planning for Success, Supporting Child Development
To throw and catch a ball may seem like such a basic skill, but for a child with motor isms, it may seem more challenging than going for an Olympic gold medal! It is amazing the amount of skills involved that are typically taken for granted. For instance:...
by Tara McClintick | Mar 2, 2017 | Attitude and Integrity, Autism, Challenging Behaviors, Health, Nutrition Awareness and Discussion, Planning for Success, Spiritual, Supporting Child Development
Do you remember the horrific story of Alex Spourdalakis with his severe aggression and meltdowns? The full story has now been made into a documentary. Alex’s story really hit home because our family has experienced a hell similar to the one they were living....