In 2005 I was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, consistent with Asperger’s Syndrome, Non Verbal Disorder. After this diagnosis I felt I finally had an answer to many years of disappointments and frustration. My family was finally relieved that we finally had an answer. Follow my journey. [read more]
When you have a child or family member on the autism spectrum, creating a safe and functional home environment is an important task. Autism can have a huge impact on an individual’s development, lifestyle, and social connections. People on the spectrum can be particularly sensitive to lights, sounds, and other stimuli. Many crave order and routines to make sense of the world. Safety can be a concern for those who wander, are drawn to water, or are prone to head banging or self injury.
It can be difficult for children with autism and other special needs to fall asleep and stay asleep at night. Those lost hours of slumber not only take a toll on the children – who may be more irritable and prone to behavior problems – but also on their bleary-eyed parents. If you are struggling to help your child “power down” or relax at night, you are not alone.