Stress and Sensory Sensitivities: How Sensory Sensitivities Contribute to Stress and Anxiety, and Techniques for Reducing Sensory Overload in Everyday Environments

For many people, stress comes from obvious things like school, homework, or social pressure. But for many children with autism, stress often comes from something that seems much smaller at first: sensory input that feels way too intense. For example, bright lights, loud classrooms, squeaky floors, scratchy clothing, or crowded hallways can make a normal environment feel overwhelming, even when nothing “bad” is happening. According to the Autism Research Institute, sensory sensitivities are very common in autism and can affect how children experience daily life and manage stress. That’s why some places can feel like more than just annoying — they can actually make a kid feel overloaded, tense, or anxious without any obvious reason to an outsider… Continue reading Stress and Sensory Sensitivities: How Sensory Sensitivities Contribute to Stress and Anxiety, and Techniques for Reducing Sensory Overload in Everyday Environments

An Interview with Sarah Schwartz, a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist (MS, R-DMT) who works with individuals on the Spectrum

In the first article of the Health Column Series, “The Therapeutic Power of Dance for Kids on the Spectrum,” I shared an overview of clinical studies highlighting the benefits of dance for autistic children and young adults. In this second installment, I continued the conversation by speaking with Sarah Schwartz, a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist (MS, R-DMT) through the American Dance Therapy Association’s Certification Board. We discussed how a dance therapy session works, the impact she has witnessed in children on the spectrum, and her advice for our FCSN families who want to support therapeutic goals at home… Continue reading An Interview with Sarah Schwartz, a Registered Dance/Movement Therapist (MS, R-DMT) who works with individuals on the Spectrum

Health Column Series: The Therapeutic Power of Dance for Kids on the Spectrum

A growing and diverse body of research has investigated the therapeutic benefits of dance and movement for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities, consisting of randomized controlled trials, pilot studies, qualitative research, and meta-analyses of multiple clinical trials and studies. Clinical trials have provided strong evidence that structured dance interventions can improve a range of developmental outcomes… Continue reading Health Column Series: The Therapeutic Power of Dance for Kids on the Spectrum

自閉的優勢

早上7點整,季齡站在我臥房門口。 “ Breakfast!” 他是一字大師, 惜字如金,卻總是一語中的, 直切重點。例如,我開車時, 季齡是最佳導航,我只要告訴他去哪兒,他一路簡短的說:left lane; 或 right turn;  當我偶一分神, 季齡總是很平靜的提醒我,” straight” or “exit,”  有時快到紅綠燈還沒踩剎車,他會緊張的說:” stop! stop!“ 這是唯一說兩次的話。只有提醒,絕不指責!季齡是絕對的好夥伴。 Continue reading 自閉的優勢

Perfect Autism

At 7 am sharp, Chiling shows up at my bedroom doorway. “Breakfast!” He is the master of one word expressions; cherishing his words like gold, he always gets to the point with just a single word.  For instance, as my driving navigator, I simply have to tell Chiling the destination, and he will direct me with perfect instructions: “left lane,” or “right turn.” Sometimes, when I get distracted, he never fails to calmly remind me of the next step: “straight” or “exit.”  When he sees a red light coming up and I have not started to hit the brakes, Chiling will raise his voice nervously: “Stop! Stop!” This is the only situation with two words.  I always receive gentle reminders from Chiling, never harsh criticisms. Chiling is undoubtedly my best partner. Continue reading Perfect Autism