Creating an after-school routine that promotes safety and comfort can be just what your child needs to unwind after a trying day. Learn more from Bloom Behavioral Healthcare.

Pencils and folders and notebooks, oh my! Back-to-school shopping is an essential component to a new school year, filled with a list of traditional school supplies like backpacks, gluesticks, and safety scissors. These are all useful things, but as a parent to a child with autism, there may be additional items you consider adding. While not required, these things may help support communication or emotional regulation, making the school day go by more smoothly. Every child is

The countdown to a new school year is on. Many children are excited at the prospect of school starting, but others feel a little more uncertain. School brings a complete change in routine, unfamiliar faces, and a new set of expectations. This can create a lot of anxiety in children with autism who thrive on predictability. The transition from summer to school days can go a little more smoothly with thoughtful preparation, though. A Little Conversation Goes A Long Way Instead

The Fourth of July is thought of as a day of celebration, full of fun, food, and fireworks. Many people look forward to this day each year, but it’s not a positive experience for everyone. For a child with autism, the traditional Independence Day festivities can result in more overwhelm than excitement. They may have to contend with crowds, unfamiliar faces, loud music, strong smells, booming fireworks, and routine disruption. Instead of a day of fun and celebration, it can b

Anyone who has ever been around a child knows that they tend to have very big, ever-changing feelings. Emotions are a part of life for all of us, but for children with autism those feelings can feel amplified and more intense than they do for others. That intensity can quickly become overwhelming, especially when they don’t quite understand why they are feeling that way. Overwhelm can lead to meltdowns and challenging moments for both the child and their family or caregiver.

Summer can be a time of fun and adventure, when many families find that their schedules have opened up to provide more family outings. This may include vacations, community events, and amusement parks, to name a few. These activities are full of opportunities for creating lasting family memories, but often proper planning and care must be taken beforehand to make sure those memories are happy ones. Unfamiliar places and new activities can create an overwhelming experience fo

Meaningful summer memories don’t have to come from packed calendars full of nonstop activity. Many children with autism thrive in a more low-pressure environment, making it easy to create a summer that feels calm and manageable without skimping on the fun. Find some fun, simple activities that are sensory-friendly to enjoy this summer!

Raising a child with autism can feel overwhelming at times. There are a lot of big decisions, big feelings, and what can feel like big obstacles. Sometimes, though, it’s the little things that can make the most difference. Therapy and structured support are key, but the foundation that holds everything in place comes down to routines and comfort. When things run smoothly and as expected, it can make life feel a whole lot easier for both you and your child. You may already be

If you’ve found yourself confused and frustrated while trying to find support for your child, you are not alone. The most simple desire - to improve life for your child - suddenly feels like a puzzle that can’t be solved. This is due to the fact that there are different systems involved - and they don’t always work hand-in-hand. The two systems most involved in understanding and supporting your child are the medical system and the educational system. Your pediatrician may su

Children with autism are communicating more than it may seem, you just need to understand their communication methods. Learn ways they may be expressing themselves and how ABA Therapy can help families communicate more effectively.

Easter is an exciting, meaningful holiday with plenty of opportunity for fun. But beyond the colorful eggs, sweet treats and family time, there are opportunities to sneak ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) strategies into classic Easter fun to create meaningful, stress-free learning moments.

Children with autism may express affection and connection in ways that differ from what some may consider traditional methods such as hugging or saying words like “I love you.” That doesn’t mean that they don’t feel that love, it just means they communicate in their own way.

It’s typical for families to notice behavioral changes after extended time off from school and therapy. You may notice difficulty with previously mastered skills, big emotions and/or a harder time dealing with transitions. While it can be discouraging to feel like your child’s progress has been set back, it’s important to understand that regression of this nature is not only common, but typically temporary.

The holidays can be overstimulating for anyone, but are a particular challenge for autistic kids. The combination of a change in routine, overwhelming events and unfamiliarity can very quickly create the perfect storm of dysregulation. If this sounds like a familiar occurrence, don’t worry - you’re not alone. With a bit of planning though, you can hold on to the holiday magic in a way that works best for your child and family.

The Thanksgiving holiday is all about celebrating the things we are grateful for. While some express that gratitude loudly and proudly, it may look different for families who are navigating autism. In ABA Therapy, we strongly encourage celebrating even the small wins and being thankful for any sign of progress.

ABA Therapy revolves around structure, routine, consistency and individualized goals. While these things can be accomplished many ways, we definitely find that it helps to have certain tools in our metaphorical toolkit to help make things run more smoothly. On that note, the team at Bloom Behavioral Healthcare LLC would like to share the top ten items anyone practicing ABA strategies should have.

Holidays, including Halloween, can be a daunting time for children with autism. Suddenly, they are inundated with new sights, sounds, and activities that often include changes in their typical routine. It’s perfectly okay to sit out any activity that is more stressful than exciting. However, if your child is interested in participating, there are ways to play ahead and incorporate ABA strategies that make things less stressful and more fun while building important skills.

We talk a lot about visual schedules in the realm of ABA therapy, and there’s a reason for that - they work!

While not many people are excited about the concept of homework, it is an inevitable part of school life - one that can easily become a battle. Luckily, there are simple ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) strategies that can help mitigate some of that stress.

Sometimes children need extra support at school, but navigating that topic can be overwhelming and confusing. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone, and resources are available to help your child thrive.