What was your favorite thing that happened today? Who is your favorite singer? What is your favorite book? Do you have a favorite sport? I have a favorite time of the year, do you? My babysitter used to show me her favorite thimble. FAVORITE is one of my favorite words and it is powerful. I use it all the time and you should too. It's one of ...

As an SLP you have the skills to teach children and adults on all levels of the autism spectrum social strategies they will need throughout their lives. As an SLP you have the responsibility to speak up at an IEP in the school or any setting when you hear that ''social skills do not impact education'' and state all the reasons why they do. As ...

Liang Chow is the awesome coach for Golden Olympic Gymnast, Gabby Douglas. In a Time Magazine interview ''Chow admits that when Douglas first entered his gym, in October 2010, he could see her talent but wasn't sure he wanted to take her on.'' He also stated, ''Chow began by playing on Douglas' strengths: her lean physique and natural grace, which ...

An SLP isn't a celebrity, but we have influence in our school settings and communities. There are many celebrities who are speaking out against bullying: Justin Bieber, Queen Latifah, Daniel Radcliffe, Ellen Degeneres and Anderson Cooper, just to name a few. In the past few week's Autism Spectrum blogs, I've stated the language skills we ...

In last week's Autism Spectrum Blog, ''Time to Face It,'' I shared with you the most frequently asked question I get: ''What's the number one strategy you use with children on the autism spectrum?''  My answer was (and still is) Any item I can hold in one hand comes up by my face. I told you how simple, easy, speechy, and helpful ...

I wonder what Snow White would have searched on an iPad, or what she could have accomplished. Could she have made Dopey, less dopey? Was there a remedy for Sneezey or a medication for Sleepy and Grumpy? Perhaps Bashful could have been brought out of his shell with various applications. Doc and Happy, well, they were full of wit and joy already. ...

During the month of April, Autism Awareness Month, I have focused on a variety of topics. I have written about the characteristics of autism, the significance of the autism puzzle ribbon, and my own family and personal feelings. I hope you have enjoyed the journey. This week, I have a special poem, ''I Believe in Blue,'' that I wrote for my son ...

Continuing with Autism Awareness Month: ''Light It Up Blue is observed April 1 and 2 each year in North America. It is dedicated to raising awareness of autism. Autism Speaks, the world's largest autism science and advocacy organization, announced the launch of the inaugural Light It Up Blue campaign in 2010. This initiative is ...

In honor of April as Autism Awareness Month, I thought it appropriate to inform all SLPs about the colors of the Autism Awareness Ribbon. This ribbon is unique, and there is meaning behind the puzzle and colors that represent the autism syndrome. The Autism Society of America describes the ribbon as follows: The Autism Awareness Ribbon The ...

Autism Awareness Month began on Sunday, April 1. My son Doug's birthday is April 1. The fifth annual World Autism Awareness Day was April 2. World Autism Awareness Day ''aims to increase people's awareness about people, especially children, with autism. The day often features educational events for teachers, health care workers and parents, as ...