Kids with Autism LOVE trains! Here are some ideas for playing in a therapeutic way at a beginner level with kids you know who might have an Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Hi! My name is Christie I am a Speech-Language Pathologist (M.S., CCC-SLP) who has specialized in supporting children with communication disorders, cognitive delays, and behavior challenges (and their families!) since 2001. I have worked with a variety of developmental (from birth) and acquired (after trauma) diagnoses in public schools, private schools, private clinics, and in families' homes, as well as in church settings. During that time, my focus has been on providing love and support to children with disabilities and their families. My desire is to equip families, educators, and volunteers with strategies and tools that will help them support and understand the children in their lives, especially those with diagnoses and developmental differences. Find out more about me here: https://www.chirpcc.com/meet-christie...

#Autism #ASD #child development #early childhood #communication development #autism #echolalia #developmental delay #developmental disorder

Discovering which level your child should be playing and more hints to work at that level:
https://familyandhome.org/sites/defau...

More info on social-emotional skills development:
https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/famili...
https://pathways.org/topics-of-develo...

Find out more about early steps in relational development:
https://www.icdl.com/dir/fedcs/capaci...

The CDC's Diagnostic Criteria:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/hcp...

Here are ways you can learn more about helping people with Autism improve their social skills:
https://stanleygreenspan.com/node/47
Talkability - https://amzn.to/30Qo8vr
Social Stories by Carol Grey - https://amzn.to/3lywwau
The Social Skills Picture Book - https://amzn.to/2Fh7jSL
How To Talk With Friends, Social Skills Curriculum For Kids With Autism - https://amzn.to/36OhkC8

Find out more about interaction from the Hanen Center:
http://www.hanen.org/Helpful-Info/Art...

And from ICDL:
https://www.icdl.com/dir/fedcs

Here's my video series on using visuals to help kids learn to communicate:
   • Communication Book  

More communication ideas:

Boardmaker: https://goboardmaker.com/pages/boardm...

Laminator: https://amzn.to/3dBpcbm

Picture Exchange Communication System:
https://autismpdc.fpg.unc.edu/sites/a...

https://pecsusa.com/pecs/

https://www.nationalautismresources.c...

Sensory books:
Sensory Processing 101 https://amzn.to/3fzZt3G
Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals https://amzn.to/2SQacxh

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Please get a Speech-Language Pathologist working with you when all this calms down if you're concerned about your child's communication development! Find one here:
https://find.asha.org/pro#f:@Provider=[Speech-Language%20Pathologist]

Whenever you believe a child has atypical sensory needs, it's a good idea to find a qualified Occupational Therapist who's a specialist in sensory integration (not all of them are!) A professional can definitely help you understand your child's needs better and work with you to figure out how to meet those needs in more appropriate ways.

Find a sensory-smart Occupational Therapist:
https://www.sensorysmarts.com/find_an...

"Sensory Processing 101"
https://amzn.to/2X3BbW2

"Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals"
https://amzn.to/2D7gVuR

Discover some of the additional amazing equipment and resources I recommend here:
http://www.chirpcc.com/resources.html

Find out more about me and my life on my personal blog:
https://kittensfromthedarkside.blogsp...

Chirp is making the world more welcoming for people with special needs and their families and equipping families to provide excellent support for their developing children.