Exceptional teachers: Mrs. Tipping, an armchair and a fairy!

Shakespeare and I have been friends for many years. We first became friends when I was seven and since then we’ve always been friends. My dearest teacher Mrs Tipping introduced me to him, as well as to other great literary artists such as Gerard Manley Hopkins, Eleanor Farjeon, and Wordsworth.  I owe a great deal […]

Daily routines: give them a chance to communicate!

When do you teach your child to communicate?  Hand washing, toileting, mealtime, and naptime are some of the daily activities that occur throughout the day. These routines are predictable and regular and therefore can be utilized for natural teaching opportunities to address communication development and related skills. These routines can become ideal learning activities for […]

Whose role is that?

Autism, gender and culture. Autism crosses all boundaries: social, religious, cultural and linguistic. The treatments that we offer children and families must however address the differences in culture and language. When I was in Saudi Arabia conducting workshops, I gave an example of sorting laundry to help children match and categorize. This is an activity parents I have worked […]

My little mentor

I am spending Thanksgiving with my dear friend Susanna, her husband, children and family. This is my first American holiday. It’s postcard perfect. The house with the wooden front porch, children playing with autumn leaves in the back yard (garden), the aroma of turkey and pumpkin pie. Family traveling from afar. This is all very new for […]

Resources AAC and Hand Held devices

These are some useful resources if you are considering the the use of hand held device as alternative augmentative communication system for an individual with ASD. Supporting the communication of individuals with ASD leads to greater community accessibility and self-advocacy. If you want to be inspired I would suggest watching: Wretches and Jabberers this is an […]

A world of INCLUSION–Documentary

I am excited to be attending a film screening on December 5th 2012  of the documentary film INCLUSION — at 6: 30 pm  at Japan Society, in NYC. This will followed by a Q&A with executive producer and former First Lady Kayoko Hosokawa and a reception. This invitation has been kindly extended to my graduate students at Hunter […]