Posts by Michelle Ibarra

It is that time of the year. Everybody is getting ready for the holiday celebrations, decorating their houses, and buying presents for their children. Everybody seems excited, full of joy, and energized. Everybody but you. It’s not the fact that you are ungrateful, or unhappy, it’s just simply the fact that you feel exhausted. Sounds…

Thanksgiving is finally here! All the excitement, food, and family gatherings can make these celebrations one of the most anticipated ones of the year. However, for families on the spectrum, all these schedule changes, new meals, and visits can represent a huge challenge. Thankfully, it is possible to have fun and ease these issues, and…

Potty training is probably one of the greatest challenges for most parents. Children will refuse to poop on the potty, or they would just simply feel comfortable in the pull-ups and avoid it. Now for parents on the spectrum,  the challenge goes to a new level. Non-verbal difficulties, and sometimes even movement challenges can raise…

Tantrums can be a nightmare for almost every ASD parent. Once the tantrum starts, it can be almost impossible to stop the train. What starts as a call for attention, can end up as a war between the mom and the child, or at least that’s how it looks to people staring. Fortunately, there is…

Spooky season is here and with it lots of celebrations and festivities. Although  Halloween is considered by most children as one of the happiest seasons of the year, it can represent a challenge for parents and families on the spectrum. Crowds of people, noises, lights, candies, and many sensory stimuli that can end up in…

Is your child crying uncontrollably upon something outside your control? Have you seen him/her burst in tears over small inconveniences? Has she/he ever been aggressive to you without a reason? Probably for most parents, this is a scenario that has been seen occasionally, but for parents on the spectrum, this can happen regularly.  The reason,…

Autism Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella used to identify a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders. Communicational and verbal challenges are common among children on the spectrum, and they range from mild to severe. Today, we will analyze the challenges, symptomatology, diagnosis, and therapies to ease and improve communication. Symptoms of Nonverbal Autism The main symptom to…

The body is naturally equipped with systems that help eliminate toxins. Unfortunately, the level of toxins in the environment typically overwhelms the body’s ability to detoxify itself. ASD children are genetically more susceptible to oxidative damage and environmental toxins than children with typical development. The reason behind this is because they often have interferences within…

Made out of sugar and artificial flavors,  empty calories, and almost no nutrimental intake, candy is probably the most popular children’s treat in the world.  For neurotypical children, candies and treats represent a risk of cavities, obesity, and diabetes. But for children on the spectrum, it can additionally lead to increasing autistic behaviors and more…

Are you concerned about your child’s nutrition and weight? If so, you are not alone. Close to 80% of autistic children are reportedly suffering from picky eating and sensory issues that make eating a challenge itself. Additionally, and contrary to neurotypical children, children on the spectrum are not supposed to eat most of the things…