April is Autism Awareness Month

 

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts social communication and behavior. Children with ASD may have difficulty talking with family and peers. For instance, they may be overly focused on a topic that is not of interest to others, and their conversation may lack a back-and-forth quality. Nonverbal language, including eye contact and gestures, may also be problematic. Children with ASD may have difficulty picking up on social cues. Additionally, their play may lack imagination. Repetitive behaviors, such as flailing of arms, may be exhibited. Children with ASD tend to enjoy routines, and may have difficulty adjusting to changes in their schedule. An additional feature often seen in children with ASD is oversensitivity to sounds (e.g., fire drills at school), touch (e.g., elastic bands in clothing), and smell (e.g., difficulty eating in the cafeteria due to the odors).

 

Assessment for Autism Spectrum Disorder will include tests specifically designed to measure areas of social communication and restrictive interests/behaviors. Both the child and parents are involved in the evaluation process. Cognitive functioning (e.g., intelligence and academic testing) is often included, as well as a language assessment. There is a wide range of functioning among individuals with ASD. Test results will highlight strengths as well as weaknesses.

 

Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder can be provided within the home, school, or private offices. The treatment team may include a psychologist, speech/language therapist, and occupational therapist to target the relevant areas of functioning. Early intervention can be very helpful. Even when a diagnosis is made later, most children with ASD will improve with the right combination of treatments. 

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Cyberbullying

While social media can serve to augment peer relationships in adolescence, it can also provide a forum for negative exchanges that can be quite hurtful. Those being bullied may experience academic problems, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

Cyberbullying is more pervasive than traditional bullying, with little escape. Images and videos are often more invasive than face-to-face taunting. There is more opportunity for others to join in – either to help or hurt – than in the traditional bullying that occurred at parties or the school cafeteria. Although, the wide pool of onlookers the internet provides makes people less likely to step in, as they often assume someone else will defend the victim. Fear, frustration, hopelessness, and powerlessness are often increased when the cyberbully is anonymous. In this situation, it could be anyone – even someone the person being bullied considers to be a friend.

Many teens think their parents or teachers will make the situation worse by bringing more attention to it. As such, parents may need to monitor their children’s online activities. Emotional support from parents is very helpful in these situations.

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Is it really still winter?!

The cold and dreary weather provides families with opportunities for problem-solving.

Be creative. Try some fun things to take your mind off the winter weather. The next time it snows, instead of dwelling on the disbelief that it happened again, do something fun with it. When the snow starts to melt again and your child’s snowman starts to disappear — make a new one out of cotton balls to keep the cheer alive!

Don’t go through it alone. The winter months can feel isolating for everyone — reach out to others to cope and ease the stress. Plan activities with other families. Reach out to those who live on their own to offer help or company. Local agencies provide guidance or support for those in need. 

Find your calm. Winter can cause stress and anxiety — conflicts can arise from being stuck in close quarters, and the loss of control can take its toll. If you can’t make it in to the office, work in your pajamas, or practice mindfulness. 

Build in consistency. The abrupt weather changes this time of year can make one’s head spin. If change is particularly hard — whether from the loss of routine that comes with winter storms, or the fluctuating temperatures — be sure to structure your days as best you can to keep yourself on track.

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Coping with Winter in Chicago

For some of us, winter means skiing, snow days, and fun! For others, it is a dreaded time of year.  Arctic temperatures and snow can keep us from getting things done outdoors. The unpredictability of the weather can cause stress and frustration, particularly for those who have difficulty coping with change.  Each of your family members may have different needs at this time of year.

Age matters. Your kids may not understand why they can’t play outdoors, and complain of being bored. It can be difficult to manage children who tend to be hyperactive while they’re stuck indoors. The fluctuations in weather: -20 one day, 50 degrees the next, can be confusing. Parents are likely to view thawed snow as a good thing, while a child may feel sad that their snowman melted.

Parents may encounter difficulty with their commutes to work and running errands. There can be added stress of arranging for childcare when schools are closed.

For older adults, winter can be an isolating time of year. Some lose their independence by not being able to walk or drive on icy roads. Tasks such as getting to the doctor become more difficult.

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Summer: Balancing Work & Play

 

While children need a break from the obligations of the school year, summertime responsibilities are often inevitable. Parents can help their children with time management and organization skills.

 

Summer School: For some children, summer school provides the opportunity to catch up. Other children benefit from year-round instruction to maintain their academic skills. Many children are assigned homework to complete before the school year begins. While children need structure to their days, it’s important not to overdo it, and leave time for relaxation.

 

When it comes to summer jobs, the search gives teens the opportunity develop their resume and interviewing skills. Don’t assume that your teen knows the correct protocol. They may need guidance in determining follow-up after interviews, the appropriate outfit to wear to work, and how to request a change in schedule.

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Socializing over the summer

During the summer, there are no longer opportunities for socialization provided within the school setting, but lots of time for social outings. Children with social anxiety or poorly developed social skills can experience feelings of isolation. On the other hand, socially active children/teens may feel stressed if they do not attend every possible activity. They may fear that he or she will lose their social status if they are not present at an event. This anxiety is even seen in their text messages (FOMO = fear of missing out).

Parents can encourage less social children to reach out to peers and get out of the house. Look for activities that might suit them, or help them send texts or call friends to initiate plans. For overly social children, try to ease the anxiety that can come with trying to fill every moment with a social activity by encouraging moderation and balance.

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                      Tips to Make Summer Vacation Less Stressful and More Fun!

Set a balance for your children between structure and freedom. Studies show that keeping bed and waking times within one to two hours of the typical routine during breaks is helpful. During summer, the daily routine can be altered a bit.

 

Parents’ schedules are often the same year-round, while kids have more flexibility over the summer. It can be helpful to coordinate schedules (e.g., carpools, playdates) with other families. Planning ahead can make the summer run more smoothly and reduce stress.

 

The summer schedule provides opportunities to help your children learn time management, organizational and independence skills. For example, you may create stations for children (e.g. drawing, blocks). They can move from one activity to the other without continuous monitoring by you.

 

Traditions and rituals help build family cohesion. Research shows that high levels of family cohesion and support are related to good coping skills. Summer can be a time to build meaningful, memorable moments with your kids.

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