• Be prepared to keep evolving. Childproofing a house for a child with ASD is not a “one and done” situation. As children grow and get stronger, you’ll have to come up with creative new ways to keep them safe. When your kids figure out how to get around protective measures, it means they’re exercising their problem-solving skills. The challenge is to stay one step ahead of them.
  • Anchor everything. If you’ve got a climber, you need to tie down all of the furniture. Use furniture anchors to secure bookshelves, armoires, and dressers to the walls to prevent tipping. Be creative, finding ways to eliminate not only access to high places, but also the temptation to climb. Here’s a hack: if your child drags chairs around to get to desired heights, use Velcro to keep the chairs in place. Screw a two foot length of Velcro under the table by each chair. Then, when you finish your meal, push the chair in and wrap the Velcro around it. This should be frustrating enough to discourage interest in the chairs.
  • Prevent eloping. No, not the kind that ends in a Vegas wedding, but the scenario in which your child with ASD runs off from where you left them. Keeping kids with ASD inside can be tricky, so if you have an escape artist, consider installing alarms on your doors. Get creative about locks and other mechanisms for keeping your child indoors. Childproof your home with the usual safety measures, but go a step further, limiting access to unoccupied rooms, attic, basement, and garage.
  • Watch out for water. Children with ASD tend to be drawn to water. Be vigilant about water sources, using safety devices to keep bathroom doors and toilets locked and removing sink plugs. If you have a large body of water in the backyard (e.g., pool, hot tub), ensure access doors are always locked.
  • Use gates inside as well as outside. Baby gates are a parent’s friend, especially when that parent has a child with ASD. They can keep children off stairs, out of kitchens, and from getting into dangerous situations.
  • Create designated spaces. Sometimes, safety isn’t just about what kids aren’t allowed to do; it’s also about what they’re encouraged to do. Making special spaces for different activities and keeping a consistent routine can help keep your child with ASD calm and safe.

If your child has been diagnosed with ASD, STAR of CA is here to help by providing important support services. Founded in 2006, we provide behavioral and psychological services to people with ASD and related disorders in an environment that offers support for the entire family. You can contact us through our website or by calling 805.588.8896.

  • How COVID-19 has Affected Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

    The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Americans to stay apart for more than a year now. This has had devastating consequences on many people’s mental health. The negative impact of school closures, service disruptions, and endless at-home time has been particularly severe among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Even so, not all of the effects have been negative. 

    • Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research (SPARK) conducted a coronavirus survey last year to learn more about how families were coping, and over 8,000 people responded. About 93 percent of the survey participants were female parents or guardians of school-age kids, 80 percent of whom were boys. The average age of the respondents’ children was 12 years old. Here’s what the survey reveals about how COVID-19 has affected children with ASD.  

    Negative Effects of COVID-19 on Children with ASD 

    • Unwanted change: Many families reported struggling with the general upheaval and chaos brought on by the pandemic. Children experienced more anxiety, emotional breakdowns, and aggression because of the numerous disruptions to their routine. 
    • School closures and service disruptions: Almost every school in the country closed at some point last year. As a result, 63 percent of parents reported decreased access to the services and therapies their children rely on. A whopping 95 percent of these families said that the service disruptions negatively impacted their child’s behavior. The most severe disruptions to ASDS-related services occurred among families with children under five years old. 
    • Lack of childcare options: Parents expressed the difficulty of juggling work while their kids were at home with limited childcare options. The lack of trained people available to provide specialized services also proved problematic at the height of the pandemic. 

    Positive Effects of COVID-19 on Children with ASD 

    • Distance learning: While some parents reported that online schooling was challenging and inconvenient, many said that the controlled setting and slower pace worked better for their kids. 
    • Extra family time: Social distancing requirements left many families with more time to spend together. This created the chance to grow relationships, pursue hobbies, and explore mindfulness activities such as meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga. 
    • Remote services and therapies: While the pandemic has limited in-person services, 35 percent of families said they were receiving teletherapy. About 43 percent of these families expressed moderate to significant benefits from these services. 

    There’s no doubt that this pandemic has disrupted everyone’s lives. Most of us have felt stressed or overwhelmed at one time or another, which has impacted our physical, emotional, and mental health. Even so, resources remain available to help parents of children with ASD manage the ongoing challenges.  

    For instance, STAR of CA offers in-person services to anyone who can pass our fitness for service screening. Our program addresses developmental delays, behavioral problems, and other challenges associated with ASD using integrated, evidence-based practices. If you have concerns about participating in our program, please review our COVID-19 updates or contact us at 805.588.8896 for more information.

  • Traveling During COVID with Your Children

    This has been a stressful year, and many people have put off traveling because of COVID safety concerns. Now, as the holidays approach, they’re wondering if it’s safe to travel again. For those with children, particularly children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it’s even more of a concern. Travel can be rough on a child with ASD, even under normal circumstances, and a global pandemic certainly adds a new layer of stress. There are a few steps you can take, however, to make traveling safer.

    • The first big question, of course, is whether COVID makes traveling unsafe. The answer depends on several factors. Do some homework before you make a plan, determining whether COVID-19 is spreading in your home community or your destination. Assess whether anyone in your family is at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19. If you live in an area where rates are declining, you’re traveling somewhere that rates are declining, your family is healthy, and you’re willing to take a few precautions, you’re at lower risk.
    • If you do travel, what’s the best mode of transportation? Airlines have upped their cleaning procedures, installed hospital-grade air filtration, and put policies in place to adhere to pandemic guidelines. If you end up seated by an infected person, however, you risk contracting the virus. Traveling in a car with members of your household is relatively safe. The risk associated with car travel is, of course, stopping along the way to eat and use the restroom.
    • Traveling with children can be complicated. As a parent, you’ll need to prepare to meet your family’s needs. Currently, this means planning not just for travel, meals, and lodging, but also for COVID-19 protection. Teach children safety measures, like handwashing and social distancing, and explain that they’re going to need to wear masks in public places. Bring along hand sanitizer and wipes, and if you’re staying at a hotel or rental home, wipe down high-touch areas as soon as you arrive.
    • Prepare your child with ASD for the trip. Talk about the plans in advance, using tools like a calendar and social stories to explain what to expect. Rehearse situations you believe might be challenging and try to keep the sleeping and eating schedule close to the normal routine. Bring comfort items on the trip, along with documentation of your child’s diagnosis, in case you need to give someone an explanation. Make sure your child is comfortable wearing masks; airlines require them and be advised they don’t typically make exceptions for special-needs kids.

    If your child has been diagnosed with ASD, STAR of CA is here to offer support, keeping you informed of opportunities for fun with your kids and providing important support services. Founded in 2006, we provide behavioral and psychological services to people with ASD and related disorders in a nurturing environment that offers support for the entire family. You can contact us through our website or by calling 805.588.8896.

  • Fun Activities for Fall

    Fun Activities for Fall

    Fall is such a great time of year. Cooler days, nights bordering on brisk, cozy sweaters, and comfort foods are the hallmarks of the season. It’s also the perfect time to have some fun with your kids! We’ve got a few suggestions.

    • Go for roll. Rolling down a hill is great fun, and a great way to build large motor coordination and vestibular orientation. If your child seems put-off by the idea, sliding down a grassy hill on a cardboard square is just as fun.
    • Make the most of the fall leaves. Grab a couple of rakes and let kids rake them into piles, then jump in the piles to enjoy the satisfying crunch and earthy smell. After they’re worn out from the jumping, they can rake the leaves again and bag them. Raking, bagging, and dragging the bags down the driveway build muscle tone, improve circulation, instill a healthy work ethic, and promote life skills.
    • Go exploring. Take a hike, packing a snack and plenty of water. Or take it further into the woods and camp out overnight. Fall is perfect for camping and cooking over a campfire! It’s also a great time to explore fall activities. Hit the pumpkin patch, go apple picking, or take the kids on a hayride. There’s so much to experience this season.
    • Have fun in your own back yard. Or front yard, or sidewalk, or driveway- there are plenty of ways to have fall fun at home! Draw with sidewalk chalk, make homemade apple stamps, or create an outdoor obstacle course. Carve pumpkins, giving your kids the sensory experience of digging out the guts. Another fun thing to do is create a treasure hunt for your kids. Give them a list of seasonal items to find: a pinecone, a stick, a red leaf, and so on. When they collect all the treasures, discuss about what makes each item special.
    • Taste the season. Roast marshmallows and make s’mores, enjoying the flavors, scents, and ooey-gooey texture. Baking seasonal treats together is a fun and educational activity. Let your kids measure, pour, stir, and perhaps crack an egg! It can get messy, but the treat will be its own reward and your children will have built meaningful skills.
    • Make a sensory box. Fall has a wealth of wonderful sensory items. Mini pumpkins, bumpy gourds, dried corn on the cob, corn husks, popping corn kernels, and beans will have your child scooping, pouring, grabbing, and enjoying the textures and colors while developing motor skills.

    If your child has been diagnosed with ASD, STAR of CA is here to offer support, not just by keeping you informed of opportunities for fun with your kids, but also with important support services. Founded in 2006, we provide behavioral and psychological services to people with ASD and related disorders in a nurturing environment that offers support for the entire family. You can contact us through our website or by calling 805.588.8896.

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder Through Life

    Many people think of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as a disorder of childhood, but it’s actually a lifelong condition. It’s important to know, however, that while early childhood intervention can be extremely helpful, ongoing support is necessary to help people with ASD thrive throughout their lives. Like all people, people with ASD go through many significant changes in their lives. For a high quality of life, people with ASD need a firm foundation in childhood, but also ongoing support that meets their needs.

    • In early childhood, identification is important. Children can demonstrate behaviors associated with ASD as young as 18 months old, and if parents are paying attention to these symptoms, they can get an early diagnosis. Early diagnosis allows parents, therapists, and other specialists to start treatments early, which can reduce lifetime care costs by about two-thirds.
    • The next step is to build a solid foundation. During childhood and adolescence, parents and caregivers should work to help kids build life skills. You’ll want to help your child build communication skills, use a visual calendar to teach transitions between activities, and encourage self-advocacy and how to ask for things when he or she needs them. Working on self-care skills is an important step towards becoming independent, but in addition to knowing how to care for his or her own personal hygiene, your child should be learning to do household chores at an age appropriate level. As kids get older, they need to learn things like money management and safety in the community, and by the time they’re teenagers, they should be working on vocational skills. Another thing to consider when helping a child with ASD is leisure activities. Kids with ASD often have hyper-focused interests, and you can sometimes use these interests to engage them in community activities like team sports, music groups, and more.
    • Adults with ASD still need access to services and support. The goal should be maximized independence and the highest quality of life, and for many, this means employment and living in the community. It’s vital for people with autism spectrum disorder to know how to self-advocate, and it’s important for them to have support to help them live lives of happiness and dignity.
    • Each person with ASD is unique. Because of this, the experiences of each person and family are different. There are some consistent themes and issues, but it’s important to find the right support to help each individual succeed and thrive.

    If your child has been diagnosed with ASD, STAR of CA is here to offer support, not just by keeping you informed of opportunities for fun with your kids, but also with important support services. Founded in 2006, we provide behavioral and psychological services to people with ASD and related disorders in a nurturing environment that offers support for the entire family. You can contact us through our website or by calling 805.588.8896.

  • Summer Activities for Children

  • Anxiety during a difficult time

    It’s hard to imagine that there’s a person who hasn’t suffered some anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anxiety does serve a purpose: it’s meant to protect us from threats by preparing us to respond to a crisis. It becomes a problem when we feel paralyzed by the need for assurance that we’re safe. Some people can tolerate discomfort and manage their anxiety, while others may be having trouble coping.

    How do you know if anxiety has become a problem for you? The answer is different for everyone. It’s normal to be anxious when life has dramatically changed, and our health and welfare are both threatened. It’s reasonable to be anxious about that, and anxiety can bring symptoms like chronic worry, restlessness, insomnia, feelings of dread, tense muscles, irritability, and a fight response. You might feel sad or hopeless, or panicky and overwhelmed. Consider this: trying to figure out if your anxiety is a problem can actually make you feel more anxious. The best approach is to prioritize taking care of yourself and your mental health, being open to the idea of asking for help if you need it. Here are some thoughts on how to do that:

    • Limit your exposure to stressful information. Yes, it’s prudent to keep abreast of the facts regarding the pandemic. However, staying too plugged in will almost certainly result in heightened anxiety. Get your information from trustworthy sources, setting boundaries as to exactly how much information you consume. If this means disconnecting from social media, it may be worth the peace of mind.
    • Focus on what you can control. Certain things are within your control, like sticking to the recommended preventative measures. You might also prepare an emergency kit and stock your pantry with shelf-stable foods. Do these things calmly, making sure not to let yourself spiral into panic.
    • Give your anxiety 15 minutes, then set it aside. Write down your worries, taking the full 15 minutes, and then go do something else. You might try guided meditation to quiet your mind. Remember, you don’t have to act on your anxieties, and sometimes the very act of writing them down can help you release them.
    • Stay connected to other people. This may take some creativity, but it’s important to avoid the isolation that can result in even more anxiety.
    • Seek the help of a professional if you need it. It’s surprisingly easy to get help from a therapist these days. Many mental health professionals are offering telehealth visits, preventing the anxiety that comes with having to physically go to an appointment.

    STAR of CA is here to offer support for people with special needs, providing important support services for adults, children, and families. Founded in 2006, we provide behavioral and psychological services to people with ASD and related disorders in a nurturing environment that offers support for the entire family. You can contact us through our website or by calling 805.588.8896.

  • Supporting your Child Whose Sibling has ASD

    When you’re the parent of a child with ASD, you know the impact Autism Spectrum Disorder can have on your entire family. What you may not realize is how much of a toll ASD can take on the siblings of the child with ASD. Studies indicate that siblings of children with ASD are at risk of anxiety, depression, and social difficulties. While you’re coping with the challenges facing your child with Autism Spectrum Disorder, how can you support your child who does not have an ASD diagnosis?

    • Be understanding when your child has negative emotions about his or her sibling with ASD. Sometimes, a neurotypical child might be embarrassed by the behavior of a sibling with ASD, or jealous of the time and energy required from the parents. Whatever your child is feeling, honor that, and help the child to work through it.
    • Recognize that each child is unique, regardless of abilities or special needs. The child who doesn’t have ASD still needs to be recognized as a unique individual with his or her own needs, thoughts, hopes, and desires. Be mindful of your typical child’s needs, making a plan to handle difficult situations that may arise. This is especially important when ensuring that each of your children gets the academic support they need.
    • Nurture a relationship between the siblings. Sometimes it’s hard for a child to build a relationship with a sibling who has ASD. Fortunately, you can teach your children how to engage their sibling, so that the children can play together and form a bond. Most children with siblings who have ASD develop a fierce devotion and loyalty to their siblings.
    • Acknowledge that your neurotypical child may be responsible for his or her sibling later in life. It is likely that your child with ASD will outlive you and will need the support or even care of his sibling. Knowing this can be challenging to siblings trying to build their own lives, but you can help by encouraging them to form their own identities outside of the family, as well as discussing plans you have in place for your child with ASD.
    • Give each child one on one time. Your child with ASD needs to be a fully integrated member of your family, but that doesn’t mean that every activity must be shared by the whole family. Remember to give your neurotypical children regular, separate time, whether that’s one evening a week or just a few minutes each day. Make a point of celebrating each child’s achievements, and allow your children without ASD to be the central focus sometimes.

    If your child has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, STAR of CA is here to offer support. Founded in 2006, we provide behavioral and psychological services to people with ASD and related disorders in a nurturing environment that offers support for the entire family. You can contact us through our website or by calling 805.588.8896.

  • Enjoying Springtime Activities with your Child with ASD

    Easter is something fun that can be challenging for a child with ASD. If you celebrate this holiday, it’s important to take some steps to make it fun for your child and not overwhelming.

    • Manage your own expectations. Especially if you have neurotypical children as well as a child with ASD, you may have a picture in your mind for how Easter is “supposed” to be. You may need to let that go, and just let it be what works best for your family.
    • The egg hunt can be altered to be ASD friendly.
      • If you’re going to an egg hunt with other families, practice ahead of time, explaining the rules.
      • Consider an egg hunt at home, limiting the eggs to just one or two colors.
      • Look for inclusive egg hunts in your area.
      • Be prepared to leave if your child isn’t into it or becomes overwhelmed.
      • Bring whatever your child might need to feel comfortable, whether it’s headphones, sunglasses, a snack, or some comfort item from home.
    • Be prepared to navigate social interaction, with a backup plan if it’s too much. Easter functions can involve big crowds and tons of other kids. Sometimes they can be rowdy and loud, and sometimes they might involve family gatherings with people who might not respect your child’s boundaries. Have a plan in place to make your child feel safe, even If that means leaving.

    Of course, Easter isn’t the only thing going on in the spring. There are plenty of fun things to do with your children, and the key to managing spring activities is to understand and accommodate your unique child.

    • Playgrounds can provide exercise and socialization, but they can also be overwhelming. Observe the playground before you go, looking for times where the crowds aren’t heavy. Better yet, look for an inclusive playground.
    • Earth Day can be very meaningful, but it might be better to avoid festival crowds. Instead, do an Earth Day craft, plant a garden, or simply take a walk with your children.
    • Getting outdoors with your child with ASD can be great fun for both of you. Draw with sidewalk chalk, blow bubbles. Create an obstacle course in your yard, using household items like hula hoops and jump ropes, and letting your child help set it up.

    If your child has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, STAR of CA is here to offer support. Founded in 2006, we provide behavioral and psychological services to people with ASD and related disorders in a nurturing environment that offers support for the entire family. You can contact us through our website or by calling 805.588.8896.