April 24, 2024
This time of year many parents are researching and planning summer camps for their children. That process is time-consuming, and it can be challenging to know which camps are right for your child. There are so many different types of summer camps – specialized camps for children with… Read More
June 16, 2023
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is considered the gold standard treatment and therapy recommended for children with autism. It is highly individualized and tailored to meet the needs and goals of each client, while empowering a child’s unique strengths and personalities to shine through. Here… Read More
March 13, 2023
What are the goals of ABA Parent Guidance? The ultimate goal for a child who experiences Applied Behavior Analysis therapy at Acorn Health is that they graduate from therapy and are supported by those in their lives when intensive therapy is no… Read More
February 17, 2023
While newborn parents expect the phase of sleepless nights to come with having a baby, parents of children with autism may not experience the same relief of more restful nights as their kids get older. As many as 40 to 80% of… Read More
December 19, 2022
Navigating the holiday season can often feel more stressful than peaceful. Families are busy shopping, going to holiday events, and visiting friends and family members between normal daily obligations like work and school. Throw in other holiday traditions like visiting Santa, holiday train rides, and seeing Christmas lights, and the season is packed with potential triggers for children with autism. Not to mention, the hustle and bustle of the season can throw off a child’s everyday schedule, which is important for children with autism to maintain.
As a parent of a child with autism, you can make special memories while still keeping your child comfortable with these tangible tips and methods. Read More
November 14, 2022
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but even with all the enjoyable holiday festivities to look forward to, for many families, it also means navigating all that comes with the holidays that can be overwhelming for a child with autism. Considering all the new aspects involved… Read More
October 26, 2022
Ghouls and goblins may be spooky fun for some — but for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this time of year can be challenging to navigate. Halloween is a holiday full of sensory overload including scary monster costumes, frightening decorations, elements of surprise and scaring one another during trick-or-treating, as well as dressing up and hiding behind disguises. It’s no wonder that Halloween may not be so happy for some families.
There are steps parents can take to help their child navigate the holiday and avoid circumstances that could make them upset or uncomfortable. First, parents should talk about what to expect before going to an event or trick-or-treating. The elements of those traditions can be very confusing to a child with ASD. Read More
September 7, 2022
What is Wandering? It may be confusing to some why a person may decide to wander away from their home. What we do know is that wandering (also known as eloping) is a complex behavior that is common in individuals with autism. In fact, statistics… Read More
June 6, 2022
Your child may be exhibiting signs they are ready to be toilet trained, or maybe you are just very eager to ditch the diapers. Toilet training a child requires the right balance between a child’s readiness to learn to use the toilet, and a parent’s readiness to do the training. When a child has autism, toilet training could come with specific challenges. What we know is that all children are different, so whether your child is diagnosed with autism or neurotypical, it’s a complicated process to sign up for.
That said, a toilet trained child is quite an accomplishment for themselves and for the parent. Say goodbye to the cost of diapers or pull-ups and improve your child’s confidence in being able to independently use the restroom. It’s worthwhile to begin the process of toilet training once you believe it’s the right time to do so. Read More
April 9, 2022
Research has shown that as many as 80% of children with autism spectrum disorder are affected by sleep issues. Inconsistent or inadequate sleep can exacerbate problem behaviors, so establishing a more consistent bedtime routine is worth the effort. When a child has a regular bedtime, it creates a sense of predictability in family routines. But it’s not only for Monday through Friday. It’s important that newly established routines carry through seven days a week. When all caregivers are committed and abide by a consistent bedtime routine, a child is more likely to learn the skills to fall asleep & stay asleep without disruption. This is especially important for children with autism, who are frequently most successful with predictable and consistent schedules.Bedtime routines should be short, predictable and expected. School-age children typically need 10-11 hours of sleep, however, there is research that suggests children with autism may need less. Read More
February 8, 2022
Winter can be a challenging time of year for parents. When the temperatures plummet and the sun hides behind the clouds for months, finding appropriate and enjoyable activities for your child with autism can be difficult. If your child is currently involved in applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, your child’s behavior analyst can be a great resource to ask for activity ideas to keep your child happy and healthy throughout the winter months.
Acorn Health is sharing several creative ideas that you can try at home with your child, and these activities also serve as opportunities to practice principles from ABA therapy at home. Read More
October 5, 2021
Every night at dinner, many parents promise delicious ice cream if only their children eat the vegetables on their plates. For parents who have children with autism, the mealtime battles can feel much more difficult. It’s extremely common for children with autism to have food aversions and sensitivities. In fact, researchers at Marcus Autism Center at Emory University School of Medicine found children with autism had a 5 times more likely chance of mealtime challenges, including tantrums or ritualistic behaviors. Other research has shown that up to 70 percent of parents with autistic children say they experience very picky eating habits. Read More
May 7, 2021
While early intervention therapy can be performed in either a highly structured setting or a more naturalistic setting such as a play environment, the most important aspect is that your child is relaxed and engaged. Our goal is to teach from joy — all children deserve to have access to enjoyable learning opportunities. The key to success for parents and children is consistency, whether it is 10 or 40 hours of therapy per week.
Early intervention ABA therapy will also teach parents how to teach their children how to learn appropriate behaviors in their own natural environment. Families can “graduate” from therapy once children are able to acquire new skills at an appropriate rate. Read More