NEWS

Growing up with a sibling is a wonderful thing. Of course, there are always ups and downs with any sibling relationship, just as there are with most relationships. But for siblings, you’re essentially “stuck” with each other and it can sometimes be challenging to get along. Add the extra challenges of living with autism and […]

According to the Autism Society one out of every 68 babies born in the United States has Autism and over 3.5 million Americans are currently living on the spectrum. Yet despite Autism’s prevalence it continues to be a misunderstood condition. There are also several autistic symptoms and disruptive behaviors that seem to reinforce these stereotypes […]

Sarah Dooley’s Director Adam Dreyfus and Dr. Ted Hoch of George Mason University were invited to conduct a 3-day workshop on the lovely Caribbean island of Nevis by the Nevisian Island Administration (September 13-15, 2016). This was the second visit to the island nation and marks a deepening of their partnership with the Nevisian Education […]

The holiday season is upon us! You may be excited about holiday gatherings, festive decorations, elaborate meals, exchanging gifts and enjoying time and traditions with family, but all of these things can be challenging if you have a child with Autism. Kids with Autism thrive on structure and routine and, while the holidays are a […]

Screaming, crying, kicking, even rolling on the floor…These are all behaviors observed during a tantrum or meltdown. As any parent is aware, tantrums are a common occurrence for young children. Kids with Autism, however, often deal with meltdowns as well. To many people, a tantrum and meltdown appear to be the same thing. In fact, […]

The dreaded tantrum. Tantrums can test the limits of even the best parents, especially when you’re dealing with one in public. Any parent of a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) knows that kids with ASD are more susceptible to tantrums and have more triggers than other children. What’s not always obvious to parents […]

Trick or treating is a tradition that many families look forward to each year, Unfortunately, some aspects can be truly frightening and overwhelming for those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Unfamiliar faces/costumes and sensory stimuli, such as strobe lights, sound effects and fog machines are some of the common encounters children with autism struggle with on […]

Parenting a child with autism and children without autism can be a unique, and sometimes daunting, balance. You have to provide extra support for your child with autism and navigate the path of what is best for him, while also carving out time to ensure his brother’s and sister’s needs are met. Research shows that […]

Summer can provide a welcome break from the demands of the school year and a chance to create special memories of family vacations and adventures with friends, which is why preparations for the new school year may seem bittersweet as September draws near. Transitioning back into school routines can be extra challenging for students with […]

Bullying occurs at an alarming rate and, sadly, kids with Autism and Asperger’s are much more vulnerable targets to bullies. If left unchecked, there can be serious consequences for children that are chronically bullied. These risks include: Withdrawing from school participation, lowered test scores and deteriorating GPA Skipping class or dropping out of school Suffering […]