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How To ABA

6 Tips For A Calmer, Easier Bedtime

bedtime.largeAs parents, you and I know that our sweeties need sleep – lots of it. Without enough, they wake up cranky and groggy (your morning routine will be rougher), have a hard time concentrating at school and are more prone to negative behaviour. Plus, getting enough Zzzs is important for their memory and overall health and development. Despite the benefits, many of our cuties fiercely fight going to bed. My daughter used to be a master staller and I had to be on my A-game not to give into all her requests and dawdling (seriously, she does not need to line up her 20 stuffed animals for 20 minutes!). For whatever reason kiddos are so resistant to getting ready for and going to bed, it’s our jobs as parents to make the process positive so they develop healthy sleep habits.

Over the last year, I’ve become more diligent about bedtime rituals. My husband and I stay firm with our rules – consistency is so important – and fill the routine with love and affirmations. The result: My sweetie doesn’t put on her boxing gloves to fight bedtime like she used to. She looks forward to story time and snuggles and she sleeps more soundly. If you want Timmy’s tuck-in time to go more smoothly, too, follow these tips. Promise that your evenings will be a lot calmer and easier.Read More »6 Tips For A Calmer, Easier Bedtime

Simple Ways to Speed Up Your Morning Routine

morningroutine.largeAre weekday mornings before 8 am the most stressful part of your day? Do you run out of the house without breakfast, make up half done and your hair sideways? I can completely relate! On weekends, my 4-year-old would wake up sweet-as-sugar, get dressed and go to the bathroom independently. But come Monday morning, she seemed to forget all that (you’d swear she couldn’t do anything by herself); and, as such, getting her fed, dressed, packed for school – and myself prepped and presentable for work – and out the door on time felt harder than juggling eight balls at once. It was frazzling!

Things have changed, though. Now we move more quickly; our morning routine is more efficient, more likeable and  less stressful. We even get out the door on time (usually)! The secret to our success is in these easy strategies. Put them to practice, parents, and I promise your mornings will speed up, too. Read More »Simple Ways to Speed Up Your Morning Routine

7 Resolutions You’ll Want To Stick To

We’re not really into cliché New Year’s resolutions. Been there, done that, fallen off the wagon countless times. We do, however, dig resolutions that help kids to learn and grow at home. They’re absolutely worthwhile. For example, let’s say you commit to helping Sally speak. With a bit daily work – you have to be consistent for good results — she could be saying “I love you” or “I want some crackers” instead of screaming for 15 minutes. Her words will be music to your ears and you’ll want to continue with your New Year’s vow. Awesome! So, sign up for a resolution that’ll help your kiddo bloom in 2017. Here are several suggestions.Read More »7 Resolutions You’ll Want To Stick To

Play is a Child’s Work

play Playing dress up, tea party, soccer and Hide-and-Seek is as easy as breathing for neurotypical kids. They innately know what to do and nothing makes them happier than games with their friends. That’s not the case for children with autism. For them, playing, especially with pals, isn’t second nature; it’s actually kind of foreign. What’s a parent to do? Teach your child with autism to play! It’s a fun job and an important one, because play has a lot of developmental benefits. For example, it builds social skills, joint attention, communication, imitation, problem-solving and turn-taking. To get your honey sweet on the idea of interacting playfully with you – and, later on, other kids – follow the steps below.Read More »Play is a Child’s Work

Simon’s Story: How ABA Has Helped Him Communicate

ABA+communication375Simon is really excited about Halloween. For weeks, he’s been pretending to be scary monsters and spooky ghosts, giggling as he tries to scare his ABA therapy team. BOO! ROAR! He asks everyone what they’re going to be for Halloween and shares that he’s dressing up as Super Mario. Such sweet words to hear! Just four years ago, Simon was nearly non-verbal and had a lot of tantrums; and now, after a few years of ABA, he’s an enthusiastic talker with a great sense of humour. Here are the highlights of his story.Read More »Simon’s Story: How ABA Has Helped Him Communicate