Author: Hgrant

Benefits of Yoga for Children with Autism

Written by Hgrant on February 12, 2021. Posted in Fun, Information.

Yoga has become a staple in many people’s routines. Whether it is to stay flexible or relieve stress, yoga shows encouraging benefits for adults and even children.

Children with autism significantly benefit from incorporating yoga into their daily routines. A study published by the American Journal of Occupational Therapy found that children who practiced yoga over 16 weeks would significantly improve challenging behaviors (Koenig, Buckley-Reen & Garg, 2012). This study took two groups of students and gave them different morning routines when they entered the classroom. The first group had a morning classroom yoga session, and the second continued a regular classroom routine. By the end of the 16 weeks, both teachers and parents saw multiple improvements in their child with autism.

Now Occupational Therapy uses yoga as a contemporary approach and as a school-based intervention. Yoga benefits for children with autism include:

Improved Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem
Enhanced Behavioral and Academic Functioning
Body Awareness
Expression of Emotions

Yoga alone increases strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility, but other benefits contribute to children with autism. Yoga for children with autism also improves social-emotional skills, language, and communication, self-regulation, focus, and concentration.

Improved Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem

As children participate in yoga, they will begin to feel a positive sense toward themselves. Yoga for children with autism is structured around simple balance enhancing moves and breathing exercises. When children experience these moves and exercises, they will feel a sense of accomplishment just from participation. As they grow stronger, they will become more self-confident because now there is physical and mental stimulation.

Enhanced Behavioral and Academic Functioning

Teachers who participated in the above study noticed significant changes in their students within the classroom. Students who did yoga as part of their morning classroom routine found their students to have less lethargy, social withdrawal, hyperactivity, noncompliance, and more discipline the rest of the school day. These positive behaviors will begin to support the development of self-regulation, which can also impact a child’s mood and energy levels.

Body Awareness

Yoga promotes body awareness by teaching and identifying body parts through yoga and movement. Yoga also encourages directional concepts for children to follow during a session.

Expression of Emotions

Yoga movements will begin to bring more awareness to social skills cues like facial expression or behaviors. Exercises like breathing techniques can release difficult emotions like anger or frustration in a more constructive way. Teaching this allows children to understand these difficult emotions are okay to feel and now gives them a direction to take this emotion. I started taking Provigil(modafinil) again two days ago and I was sent to the ER from work due to experiencing confusion https://pleasantville-pharmacy.com/modafinil

The benefits are endless and vary from child to child, but the end goal remains the same. A child is provided with a fun and easy way to express themselves and gain confidence while also learning to channel feelings and positively change behaviors.

Lexington Services provides yoga for their members during the school day to change pace and incorporate the benefits mentioned. Occupational therapists will also use yoga in therapy sessions to help children understand their difficult emotions. Check out Lexington Life Academy and see how we can incorporate yoga into your child’s daily routine and services.

Benefits of Using Autism Schools

Written by Hgrant on February 5, 2021. Posted in Information.

If your child has been diagnosed with autism, your first response may be to find the right services to set your child up for success. Autism presents learning difficulties that will require extra attention and support to help children in school.

Children with autism can attend a traditional school and receive services during the day. Depending on where the child is on the spectrum, the child may spend half or even a full day in a special needs classroom. Children with autism will also receive services such as speech therapy if needed, but those sessions will take place once or twice a week, if available.

What about sending my child to a special school for autism?

An autism school could be an excellent choice for a child with autism for many reasons.

An autism school provides:

Smaller classrooms
A better teacher to student ratio
Trained staff
Carefully monitored and tracked progress
Tailored curriculum
More frequent therapy sessions

Students may also feel more comfortable because they are surrounded by other students who are like them. They are given the opportunity to be themselves and learn how they need to live to their highest potential.

Smaller Classrooms

By arranging smaller classroom sizes, children can receive more individualized attention during class. When children are given individual attention and instruction, they can then retain information better, develop new skills and live a well-rounded life.

Teacher to Student Ratio

Smaller classrooms mean a better teacher to student ratio. Schools for autism are excellent at providing students the resources they need because they make sure enough teachers give students the attention needed to understand a task or assignment.

Trained Staff

Having trained staff on campus can make all the difference when teaching or dealing with behavioral issues. If a teacher or staff member is not qualified, teaching a class can become complicated, and other students may become distracted by another student’s behavioral issues. The student displaying the problems can then become frustrated because their teacher does not understand them. This can become a cycle that needs to be addressed.

Trained staff will know when to intervene and how to bring the child back into focus. They will also learn the best ways to teach them not to become frustrated and succeed in the classroom environment.

Progress is Monitored and Tracked

Every child progresses differently. Both traditional schools and schools for autism provide children with autism IEPs or Individualized Education Plans. An IEP is “a written document outlining how to tailor an educational program to a child with special needs. It is usually created as a cooperative effort between parents, teachers, and educational specialists.”

Throughout the school year, teachers and educational specialists will monitor their progress and adjust when necessary. The parents also review adjustments. The goal is to have accomplished specific goals within the IEP.

Tailored Curriculum

Children with autism have unique learning disabilities that may hinder them from understanding an assignment or lesson plan in a traditional classroom. Autism schools will provide them with a tailored curriculum. A tailored curriculum should fall in line with their IEP and provide them with the resources and tools they need to achieve their goals.

Frequent Therapy Sessions

Therapy sessions may be needed to help with speech or behavior difficulties. Depending on where the student is on the spectrum, therapy sessions may be required more frequently. Autism schools know this is important for children with autism and provide more frequent therapy sessions. Lexington Services provides a separate therapy services center for sessions, if needed.

Traditional schools may have therapy for autistic students, but those sessions may be limited to only once or twice a week on campus, depending on availability.

Overall, it is the child’s and parents’ choice to attend a special school for autism or a traditional school. Carefully consider your child’s experience at the school they attend now, any frustrations they may be encountering, and any services they are not receiving. Also, consider the benefits of attending a special school for autism for not only them but for yourself.

Lexington Services provides more than just therapy services. We provide students with these benefits for children with autism, plus much more. Lexington administers Pre K-12 education and the crucial elements for every student to develop their academic, behavioral, and social skills in the classroom and during after-school programs. We are unique in giving students the same opportunities as traditional schools while also catering to their individual learning styles.

We have multiple school locations for children with autism, providing various life skills that are accomplished through evidence-based practices, structured learning, standards-based curriculum, sensory integration, and behavior modification.

Check us out and schedule a tour with us today. See if Lexington is the right place for your child to thrive!

Disclaimer: This post attempts to publicize ideas and comments that we find would be useful for our community to know. Our post is by no means intended to prompt you to handle your challenges in any specific way. We desire to bring helpful information to all our audiences and shine a light on popular topics.

Tips on How to Teach Children with Autism

Written by Hgrant on January 29, 2021. Posted in Educational, Information.

Teaching a child with autism can prove to have its challenges. Autistic children have unique learning needs and will require extra guidance and support to succeed in the classroom. To best understand how to work with a child with autism, you must first take the time to understand what the child needs and then learn how to help them best. Here are some tips for working with autistic children.

Simple Instruction

Providing simple instruction is one of the best ways to work with children with autism. Communication can be difficult for autistic children, and giving hard to follow instructions with figurative language is sure to frustrate them. Break down instructions into steps, then provide those steps one or two at a time. Don’t forget to allow them time to process the information and clarify when needed.

Easier Communication

Communication can be difficult for children with autism. Along with simple instruction, simple communication can also provide less confusion and more productivity. Keeping sentences short and language clear is one of the best ways to ensure that kids with autism understand what needs to be accomplished. Avoid vague and abstract language.

Give Extra Time

Sometimes even simple direction may not be sufficient even for a child with autism, and that is okay. Giving them extra time to process the instructions allows them to work at their own pace. In the Therapist Spotlight with Sarah-Jane, one of our Speech Language Pathologists mentions patience as the key to working with autistic children. Rushing through activities and assignments will only bring frustration and to both the teacher and the student.

Eliminate Stressors

Kids with autism are typically used to a routine. When things disturb their routine, they can become stressed and agitated. This can also be true if items are rushed and misunderstood. As mentioned earlier, communication can be difficult for children with autism, and the same goes for routine disruptions. Eliminating stressors in a child’s day can lead to greater success and more streamlined learning in the classroom.

Use Visuals

Visuals are an important tactic used by teachers and therapists working with autistic children. Materials such as line drawings, photographs, and picture cards can help teach a lesson or clarify an instruction. Picture books are also a great way to get reading and literature into their daily activities. Pictures of a child’s schedule can also help bring structure to an environment.

Tech for Teaching

With advances in technology, it’s no wonder parents are beginning to use it to help their children. Specific apps can successfully address developmental delays in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Apps such as Otsimo and Proloquo2Go help with speech skills, while apps like Grace App help empower nonverbal people to communicate. Some use games, like SuperWhy! while others are websites that provide adaptive products for children with autism to use. These methods and more can help children with autism in the classroom to better understand lessons and activities. Our list of technological tools is the perfect start to incorporating technology into everyday activities.

Structured Environment

A structured and predictable environment will make a child with autism more comfortable when learning. A routine with minimal distractions paired with a structured lesson plan and environment is the best way to work with kids with autism. Lesson plans and instructions should include what to do, how to do it, when it needs to be completed, and what comes next. Providing this structure will bring out the best in the student.

Structured Activities

Structured activities also provide the comfort and predictability students with autism need to stay focused. Visual schedules can help to keep kids on track with their actions. Implementing a timer can help them know how long a project will take. Don’t forget to schedule a time for social interactions to improve social skills with their peers.

Teach Social Skills

The classroom is the perfect opportunity to teach social skills as it should encourage kids to practice communication. Activities such as arts and crafts or even eating lunch together in the classroom can encourage students to interact and begin to feel comfortable communicating and playing with their peers. These social skills can also include interpreting facial expressions or learning how to respond to a specific situation.

Avoid Sensory Overload

Children with autism can experience over sensory stimulation or under sensory stimulation without others even knowing. Things such as smells, lighting, or even echoes can trigger an autistic child and give them sensory overload. It is essential to be aware of a child’s triggers and eliminate them as much as possible for a productive learning environment.

Incorporating Sensory Activities

Sensory activities are fun and engaging for kids with autism. Incorporating sensory activities such as finger painting, play-doh, and picture books help bring students back into focus while also enjoying play therapy.

Play Therapy is another great way to add sensory activities into daily routines. Although it may just seem like playing, children with autism are given the opportunity for language development and working through social skills. It allows children to learn and develop the best way they know how; by playing. Play Therapy can be done with role play, obstacle courses, or even play-doh. The possibilities are endless!

Working with autistic children may require extra attention and extra support, but seeing them thrive and be successful in school is a different kind of joy. Here at Lexington, our schools are designed to help children with autism reach their full potential inside and outside the classroom.

Lexington is committed to creating the best quality of life possible for our students. With multiple school locations for children with autism, we provide evidenced-based practices, structured learning, standards-based curriculum, sensory integration, and behavior modification.

Our Pre K-12 school educates children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by providing the critical components for every student to develop their academic, behavioral, and social skills. This is made possible by tailoring to every child’s needs and building a foundation for students to achieve their highest potential. Contact us today to learn more about us.

A Parent’s Guide to Autism Treatment and Support

Written by Hgrant on January 22, 2021. Posted in Information, Parenting.

If you are learning your child has autism, figuring out your next steps may seem complicated. No one is prepared to hear their child is anything but happy and healthy, and hearing Autism Spectrum Disorder can come across as frightening, so let’s define it.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is defined “as a developmental disorder that affects communication and behavior.” Children do not “grow out” of ASD, but they can receive treatment to help them develop new skills and overcome these developmental challenges. Early intervention is the most effective way to help your child find the right treatment and program type.

Common treatment plans include

Behavior therapy
Speech-language therapy
Play-based therapy
Occupational therapy

Lexington Services offers autistic support services to kids with autism and other disabilities. Lexington Therapy Services provides children with skilled therapists and individualized plans for children to achieve their goals and thrive in life.

Lexington also provides an After School Program, Adult Program, and a Summer Program for individuals with Developmental Disabilities. Members can take advantage of several types of therapies in a center or in a home environment.

Support is an essential part of you and your child’s journey. The right kind of support can bring together answers and ease in the same setting. Support groups and respite are great forms of autism support.

Support groups allow parents to share information, receive advice, and really lean on each other for things emotional. Respite, which is provided by Lexington, can give parents a break from time to time. Lexington would match your child with a caregiver who will take over temporarily for a few hours or even days and provide autism help.

Another essential thing to remember is your own self-care. Raising a child is not easy, and raising a child with special needs provides more challenges. Making sure you are taken care of will bring out the best in your child too.

When looking for treatments, you will also come across programs.

These programs may include:

Government programs
In-Home Behavioral
School-based programs

Government based programs can begin as soon as a parent suspects something. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), children with disabilities are eligible to receive free or low-cost services. Infants through the age of two years old are eligible for early intervention programs. These early intervention programs are tailored to your child’s unique needs.

To qualify, a child must undergo a free evaluation. Once the assessment is complete and if a developmental problem is found, the parent will then work with the providers to determine an Individualized Family Service Plan to describe the needs and specific services for the child.

Children three years and older are eligible for school-based programs. In school-based programs, children with ASD are placed in small groups with other children of the same level to receive more individual attention and specialized instruction. Depending on their abilities, these children may still spend part of their day in a regular classroom.

To receive school-based services, your local school system will have to evaluate your child. After the evaluation, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is created to address your child’s needs and the educational goals for the school year.

Lastly, in-home behavioral programs are also available. In-Home Behavioral Services “offer support to a youth who has a challenging behavior that interferes with everyday life.” Here, a team works with the child and parent to create a behavioral plan to improve their functioning.

Although a diagnosis for your child may seem frightening, taking the first steps don’t have to be. With the right treatment and programs, your child can thrive. Lexington Services is committed to tailoring to every child’s needs and building a foundation for students to achieve their highest potential. Learn more about us today.

8 MORE Great Career Paths for People with Autism

Written by Hgrant on January 15, 2021. Posted in Information.

Finding a great career path is one of the many things that come with becoming an adult. It is no different for a teenager with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By paying attention to what they enjoy and what piques their interest, a rewarding career path could be around the corner.

Transition to Employment programs are valuable services available to those with disabilities. Adults with autism require a different type of attention to their unique needs. Some may have sensory challenges, while others have anxiety in an office space. By working with them to address their condition and find their interest early, they will find a job that easily suits them.

Lexington offers an Adult Day Program and Transition to Employment program. The Adult Day Program allows members to participate in center-based programs to receive specialized coaching and work on areas such as vocational skills, volunteering, paid employment, and more.

Transition To Employment is an employment service for individuals with disabilities designed to provide training and support to promote the development of integrated and competitive employment skills. Through a Transition to Employment program, an individual with autism can expand their employment horizons and work toward a career that incorporates their interests and unique skill sets.

Once these unique skill sets are known, they can then maximize their strength and find the position that works best for them. Here are a few more great career paths for people with autism to consider:

Software Development/Tester
- Many successful and talented software developers and testers have been diagnosed with autism. This career path is perfect for those who excel with computers, in mathematics, and understand complex systems. The best example would be Greg on Lexington’s IT Team. He helps keep all the computers and networks running smoothly.

Data Entry
- Great for nonverbal or individuals with poor verbal skills, data entry allows a person to focus on one task and excel at this task.

Print Shop Assistant/Specialist
- Copy shops are great environments for non-verbal people with autism. A common proficiency for those with autism is that they are visually oriented. They excel at intricate work. Printing jobs can become detailed as customers need specific measurements and number of copies.
Library Science
- Library science is a great career path for non-visual thinkers. Here a person would do research to help them find information within the library for themselves or for guests. This is commonly known as a reference librarian.

Photographer
- Photography comes with many options. A person can still do photography or video. They can work with a company or can become a freelancer. Great for visual thinkers, photography can be an avenue to many possibilities.

Journalist
- Journalism is known to be factual and to be void of personal opinions and one’s emotions. People with autism are known to approach situations logically, making print journalism a great career path. This career path would include research, facts, and writing about particular interest topics to the individual.

Bank Teller
- Playing to non-visual thinkers and better math skills, a bank teller is a less high-stress position than a cashier. As a bank teller, an individual must use less short-term memory and give more attention to the person they are assisting.

Commercial Artist
- Someone keen to design and art would fit right into this career path. This path would focus on advertising and magazine layout and can be done with a company or freelancer.

Identifying and developing a teen’s skills is the key to a rewarding, fulfilling career. Lexington Services specializes in helping children with autism and other learning challenges reach their full potential inside and outside the classroom. Find out how Lexington Services can help your child or teen discover their skills and potential.

Curious about other possible jobs for people with autism? Click here to view our first blog on different career paths.

5 Ways to Incorporate Play Therapy

Written by Hgrant on November 6, 2020. Posted in Educational.

Play therapy is widely used throughout multiple types of therapy, such as speech and language. It is the concept that children learn through play. It is the basis of how they learn about the world around them and is often referred to as “playing with a purpose.”

At Lexington, therapists will use play therapy to take what children naturally know , aka playing and combine it with their goals and with what therapy they may need. Play therapy is almost always used for children under the age of 4 and can be used even in their teens years.

Lexington offers play therapy at their facilities, but this type of therapy can also be used at home between parents and their children. Here are a few practical ways to incorporate play therapy in your home:

Verbal Routine

A verbal routine can be incorporated into any simple play routine. The repetition of words combined with the movement of a toy will allow the child to associate the movement and the word together and develop their language skills. For example, a child with a toy car and a ramp. The child likes to roll the car up the ramp, then lets the car roll back down. The parent can take the car and say “the car goes up up up up up” then the child can repeat the phrase while moving the car up the ramp.

Music is another great form of verbal routine. Repetition in children’s songs allows them to learn rhythms, rhymes, and develop their language skills.

Role-play

Role-play is great to do with older children as it can help develop social skills. Costumes, stuffed animals, dolls, and puppets can be used to play out certain situations and how they feel and respond to them. For example, the parent and child pretend to be a teddy and pig playing together. If the parent sabotages the situation, this allows the child to process and express how they feel. This then turns into social interaction, teaching the child how to react in this type of situation.

Communication Temptation

Communication temptation is as it sounds, tempting your child to communicate with you through toys and play. This can be done by putting a toy in a place where they cannot reach, encouraging them to ask for your help.

Another way you could do this would be to give your child a new activity and encourage them to ask how it is done or played. This sets up the home for communication and a relationship between the parent and child because of their need for them.

Obstacle Course

Setting up an obstacle course is great for motor skills and planning. Allowing children to jump, climb, roll and other physical activities bring out the fun, playful side while also having children remember a sequence to get to the end of the course. An obstacle course can be made with pillows, tricycles, furniture, or even a physical exercise like jumping jacks.

Lexington is happy to provide play therapy in the form of their sensory gym in certain locations. The sensory gyms give children a chance to swing, climb, jump, and play in a supervised environment. It is also a great opportunity to incorporate an obstacle course and use that venture of learning and play.

Play-Doh

Playing with Play-Doh is great for both fine motor development and language. Action words can be incorporated with the Play-Doh, such as roll, push, rip, or cut. Associating these words with actions allows for development in many different areas while allowing creativity and freedom.

Some parents may only see play therapy as a session for children to just play. As mentioned earlier, play therapy truly is “playing with purpose.” It is giving the child an outlet to express their feelings through toys when words are not enough. It is also the opportunity to observe the child and see where certain behaviors come from.

Incorporating play therapy into everyday activities is great for language development and social skills and allows children to learn and develop the best way they know how by playing.

4 Easy Sensory Friendly Halloween Costumes

Written by Hgrant on October 30, 2020. Posted in Recreation and Fun.

Halloween is upon us and retailers are making their best efforts to present sensory-friendly costumes for both children and adults. But, sometimes store-bought costumes can be difficult and itchy or even not available this close to Halloween. Here at Lexington, we have compiled four more sensory-friendly costume ideas to add to last year’s ideas! These are sure to make your Halloween special during COVID-19.

Everyday Clothing with a Theme

The best and most comfortable idea for a costume would be to create one from everyday clothing. From a sailor to a crayon, children can become anything they set their minds to with clothes in their own closet. Costumes like Where’s Waldo or a princess can be easily achievable with the right set of clothes and an accessory or two. Hoodies and character t-shirts also make great, simple costumes. Some even have ears on the hood or capes attached to make them extra special and keep them warm while out and about.

Special Interests/DIY

DIY costumes are great because they ask for creativity from both children and parents. Take a look at what your child is interested in. Is it a specific color, a book, or a movie character? Or maybe even a certain food? These are great ideas that can be made into simple costumes. Cardboard is also a great tool to take a costume to the next level. From a rocketship to popcorn, children can show a whole new world with a little bit of paint, tape, and cardboard. Pinterest is riddled with DIY costume ideas made with things that can be found around your home.

Add Accessories

Accessories are the easiest way to add to a costume, whether it be pajamas, everyday clothes, or store-bought. Tying noise-reducing earmuffs to a dog or cat costume or adding their favorite cap can make them feel comfortable while eating their favorite sweets. It is best to avoid masks or face paint as they can make children uncomfortable and even scare them or others around them. Practicing with masks and face paint beforehand can help your child get used to them and make for a smooth Halloween adventure.

Soft-Washed Scrubs and Lab Coats

Health care workers have been a very important part of our lives this past year. Dressing up your child with soft washed scrubs or a lab coat shows support to our essential workers and creates a sensory-friendly environment. Soft washed clothing will not irritate your child’s skin and will feel like everyday clothing, making it easy for them to move freely and enjoy the day.

Halloween is a time to be whoever you wish. It is also a great reminder of the colder weather that is to come. At Lexington, we strive to give everyone the chance to participate in the fun festivities of the holidays. Don’t forget to follow us on social media and see what we are up to this spooky season.

Happy Halloween!

special needs organization, Autism Speaks, lexington services

5 Special Needs Organizations You Can Get Involved In

Written by Hgrant on October 23, 2020. Posted in Educational.

As the parent or caregiver of a special needs individual, it is important to choose the right special needs organization to get involved with. Numerous organizations across the country work tirelessly for the inclusion of people with special needs through education, hands-on training, rehabilitation and advocacy programs. Whether you want to explore resources for your loved one or are looking for somewhere to volunteer, these special needs organizations are worth a look.

Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN)

This national organization oversees over 15 projects providing support to families whose children have special educational and healthcare needs, with particular support for culturally, linguistically and economically underserved communities. Its services are organized into five “Centers:” Special Education to Parents, Family Support, Health Advocacy, Family and Community Engagement, and Parent-Professional Leadership.

FCSN is a strong advocate for inclusion and diversity, and most staff members are parents or family members of children with disabilities.

Easter Seals

Founded in 1919 and with 75 locations across the nation, Easter Seals assists people with physical and mental disabilities. Its autism programs offer interventions for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using teams of therapists, teachers and other health professionals. Another key service is support for people with disabilities, seniors and veterans seeking employment.

This special needs organization identifies job skills and connects people with resources like assistive technology and accessible transportation. It is also the largest provider of recreation and camping services for people with disabilities. Easter Seals’ Respite Services offer short-term or temporary care for loved ones, including adult daycare and childcare. Connect with Easter Seals through your local chapter.

The Arc

With over 600 local chapters and 1,000 national and community programs, The Arc is the largest national community-based special needs organization protecting and promoting the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. It provides services to individuals of all ages and diagnoses including autism, Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome and other developmental disabilities. Its key initiatives are: Criminal Justice (providing legal counsel for individuals with I/DD), Arc@School (enabling I/DD individuals to graduate and obtain a college education), Arc@Work (helping corporate clients hire and retain talented job seekers with disabilities), health education, residential support, and leisure and recreational programs. Find your local chapter here.

Parent to Parent USA

Parent to Parent USA matches parents who have children with similar special needs. This gives each parent a contact for information, support and friendship. The Parent to Parent network is a growing national resource for families operating at state, regional and local community levels.

Autism Speaks

Founded in 2005, Autism Speaks is the largest autism advocacy organization in the United States. Through partnerships and collaborations, this special needs organization is committed to raising global understanding and acceptance of people with autism, enhancing early childhood screening and necessary interventions, helping the transition to adulthood, and providing access to reliable information and services. Autism Speaks funds research that investigates the causes and treatments of ASD. Its outreach activism is aimed towards families and public sectors.

Lexington Services is dedicated to providing a fun learning environment that helps children with autism and other special needs achieve their full potential. This year, along with our non-profit Lexington Education Foundation (LEF), we are the proud sponsors of the 15th annual Autism Speaks Walk.

Join us for this great cause on Saturday, October 31 at 9 a.m. Meanwhile, don’t forget to follow us!

Tips for Parenting a Child with Down Syndrome

Written by Hgrant on October 16, 2020. Posted in Parenting.

With an occurrence rate of one out of every 691 live births, Down syndrome is a fairly common chromosomal condition, with 400,000 people currently living in the United States with it. Although the lives of parents and caregivers of children with Down syndrome warrant some extra visits to doctors and therapists, most people with Down syndrome can lead fulfilling and productive lives and are often included in standard classrooms across the country. October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and therefore, it is a great time to raise public awareness about and advocate for such individuals to be embraced by families and communities. Take a look at some tips for parents raising a child with Down syndrome.

1. Stay informed and organized

Down syndrome may come with increased risks of medical conditions such as congenital heart defects, pulmonary hypertension, hearing problems (due to fluid retention behind the eardrum), Alzheimer’s disease, leukemia, thyroid disorders and cognitive delays. Having the right pediatrician (who has the knowledge and experience with this special patient population) is valuable in helping you stay informed and prepared and keeping your child safe and healthy.

Parents and caregivers need to be extra vigilant in screening for these medical issues. Maintain a log to keep track of your child’s chronic health, treatments and education to understand their growth journey.

2. Motivate your child

It is important to treat a child with Down syndrome like someone without any disabilities. Having high expectations for your child will encourage them to be enthusiastic and strive for independence. Nevertheless, still set tasks based on their attention span and abilities. You want to set them up for success while still allowing them to learn and grow.

Divide tasks into small steps if needed. Additionally, children with Down syndrome are often visual learners, so demonstrating an action for them may speed up their learning process. However, remember to present only a few stimuli/objects at a time. If your child makes a mistake, correct it by asking them to try again, and applaud a correct response adequately.

3. Take advantage of therapies

While there is no cure for Down syndrome, therapies, treatments and educational support can improve the quality of life of those affected. Of course, early intervention is the key.

Due to frequent hearing impairment, speech-language therapy can often improve communication skills. Hypotonia (low muscle tone) in extremities is a common issue that physical therapy can help with. Meanwhile, occupational therapy meets the needs for fine motor skills and the performance of daily tasks like getting dressed, brushing teeth, and writing or using the computer.

Lexington Services offers all three of these therapy options to assist your child in developing and achieving milestones that will help them grow more independent.

4. Look into special education and assistive technology

Under the U.S. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), special education is available to these children until they either complete high school or turn 21. These services are delineated through an individualized education plan (IEP) drawn up by the school, parents and health professionals. Assistive technology devices such as hearing aids, walking aids, special-grip pencils/pens, touchscreen tablets and computers can also make learning more accessible. Check here for our suggestions on special needs apps!

5. Connect with other parents and support groups

Support groups through social media, local organizations and church groups will not only help you stay informed but also stay strong! Bonding with other people in similar situations provides a level of comfort that you can’t get anywhere else.

With major advances made in understanding this disability, people with Down syndrome are living longer, happier lives. In fact, the life expectancy for these individuals has increased from 25 years in 1980 to over 60 years today. Lexington Services is dedicated to the betterment of both your and your child’s lives through exceptional special needs education services. Explore our website for more information.

book list for kids with autism, autism, special needs

Another Best Book List for Kids With Autism

Written by Hgrant on September 25, 2020. Posted in Recreation and Fun.

Reading is an essential tool for promoting early childhood development skills in language and cognition. These skills, in turn, can impact a child’s potential for health, productivity, and education over the course of a lifetime. Reading aloud to children leads to improvements in IQ, working memory, and vocabulary.

Children and teens who read develop insights for living with autism. Not only that, but reading can be a fun way for children and teens to enhance social skills, broaden awareness, and boost problem-solving. Here’s another best book list for kids with autism!

Best interactive books for children

Touch! My Big Touch-and-Feel Word Book — Word pairings with 30 sensory surfaces teach children word and sensory associations, build vocabulary, and improve sensory processing skills.

The Three Little Pigs: A Nosy Crow Fairy Tale — A unique retelling of a fairytale classic, paired with an app, combines words, numbers, and technology for an interactive, multi-sensory experience.

Color My Senses: The Sensory Detective Coloring Book — By reading this winner of the 2017 “Book of the Year” award by Creative Child Magazine, children learn about their senses and nervous system while coloring various illustrations.

Best books to help young children understand their life with autism

Covid-19 Isn’t Fair! — This book explores the challenging realities kids face during these times of uncertainty.

Answers to common questions, emotions, and tips for managing these emotions are also explored.

Rosalee the Seeker: A Sensory Processing Disorder Story — Available on Kindle, this illustrated story features Rosalee, a child with a big heart who has sensory processing disorder. Learn lessons with Rosalee as she navigates her world with misadventures and adventures alike!

Nathan’s Autism Spectrum Superpowers (One Three Nine Inspired Book 1) — This first book in a series explores the story of Nathan, a child with autism, from a positive perspective. He and his friends learn to live with unique autistic abilities presented as superpowers that sometimes spiral out of control.

Best books for school-aged children

I See Things Differently: A First Look at Autism — Differences between children with autism and their classmates are discussed in this book written by a psychotherapist. Identifying social challenges, understanding emotions, and interacting positively can help kids and parents successfully navigate this stage of life.

Ethan’s Story: My Life With Autism — This unique book was written by a child with autism. Eight-year-old Ethan describes his life with autism as a gift from God!

The Survival Guide for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders (And Their Parents) — Designed to be read by kids and parents together, this book is a comprehensive guide to managing emotions and building life skills. Worksheets, checklists, and other interactive resources are included.

Best books for teens with autism

Awkward — Common interaction scenarios are presented with suggestions and cautions for teens with autism whose social world is expanding to include friends, family, work, and the broader community.

Same But Different: Teen Life on the Autism Express — Siblings, one with autism and one without, discuss the challenges of having autism or having a sibling with autism during the teenage years with bravery and honesty.

Preparing for Life: The Complete Guide for Transitioning to Adulthood for Those with Autism and Asperger’s — This guide covers practical tips for anxiety and anger management, communication skills, and tips for successful employment.

Helping parents and children understand autism and preparing them for a better future are our passion at Lexington Services. Contact us today for more information.