Welcome to my “Make a Difference” Blog.

Research has found that both exercise and sleep can improve attention, mood, executive function, and self-regulation. “Sleep disturbance impacts cognition, it impacts mood, and it impacts behavior.” Stanford University Psychologist Ruth O’Hara Research has found that two thirds of children with ASD have sleep problems, fragmented sleep, and early awakenings. So be aware that many […]

Setting Up for Success in 2018 Changing Teacher is like…. Moving to a Foreign Country For the child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) moving to a new teacher, classroom or campus is like moving to a foreign country. There is a different language (e.g. one teacher says ‘pack away’, new teacher says ‘clean up’ (Note: […]

Transition includes change in teacher, change in room, change in students in the class not just starting preschool, school, high school and beyond. The nature of ASD is such that transition can be extremely stressful, no matter what age or how BIG or SMALL the change maybe. Changing Teacher is like…. Moving to a Foreign […]

To Tell or NOT to Tell, and WHAT to Tell? I regularly get asked whether students should be told they have Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, etc. I believe telling children about their ASD helps them understand and actually increases their participation and engagement. “Until recently, much of the literature has focused on sharing the diagnosis with […]

Using the Word STOP What does STOP really mean? Being told to STOP can be very confusing for people with ASD. Many children with ASD, ODD have “Mind Blindness.” It means they often are literal, don’t know the inferred intent of language and have difficulty taking another’s perspective. This means the word STOP can be […]

How to Support Motor Skills: A Whole Body Approach By Sally McNamara (OT) As an occupational therapist I am often asked for ideas on how to support or ‘fix’ one aspect of motor development. For example, a child might hold their pencil incorrectly, have difficulty riding a bike or be unable to dress independently. While […]

Photo Cookbooks and Life Skills Cooking! Using Cooking to Teach Everything! Life Skills, Social Skills, Maths, Science, English and more! (See my Cook Books page for Books and CD’s available) Cooking is a daily activity for everyone. It is a wonderful activity to teach ALL ages and stages. Cooking is an activity families, schools, community […]

Using Communication Temptations to Motivate Communication Many children do not need to communicate as everyone in their environment thinks for them, gives them what they want or even anticipates their needs. When you create a communication enriched environment it is VITAL you create as many opportunities as possible for the child to communicate. In many […]

Here is How and Why to Use Visuals How and Why to Use Visuals Visuals include real objects, parts of objects or remnants (e.g. empty packet of sultanas), photographs of the actual object, photographs of similar objects, drawings, computer generated symbols (e.g. Boardmaker, Pics for PECS) and written words. Your child’s age and ability will […]

In my experience successful education for a child on the autism spectrum starts with a positive working relationship between home and school. One of the biggest challenges for parents/carers and teachers is to develop an effective relationship. It is in the interest of everyone involved child, staff and families that we create a positive partnership. […]

Using Breaks as a Tool Sensory tools are great to be used during other activities, but sometimes students/children actually need a ‘break’ away from the group as an effective tool. Break Cards (see examples below) Remember sometimes when feeling anxious, children with ASD have difficulty communicating effectively, so this is why we use visual cards […]

In is you will learn: 1. What is the Goal of a Fidget Tool 2. How to Select 3. Quick Tips for Sensory Tools 4. Top Tips to Introduce in your Classroom Understanding Sensory: ‘The Magic Wand’ to Improving Concentration and Reducing Anxiety Fidget Spinners – To Use or NOT To Use There has been […]

Many of you would have heard me say ‘It takes a community to raise a child with ASD’. It is the support from home, school and the wider community that can truly make a difference – and make it a success. I strongly believe that UNDERSTANDING is a key element of this. In this Newsletter […]

Last year when I asked people what they wanted help with in 2017 I got a huge response with a wide variety of requests. In this Newsletter I am addressing a few areas where a large number of people were wanting some additional support and strategies. To instantly view and download the Complete Term 2 […]

After many requests I have developed an Early Years E-Book aimed at the teachers, professionals and parents with younger children. Diagnosis Different Ways of Teaching Why and How to Use Visuals Being a Supportive Communication Partner Creating Communication Enriched Environments Use Rewards and Special Interests to Motivate and Engage in Learning Teaching Maths Concepts to […]

Getting the New Year off to a Good Start It can take a lot of energy and planning to get each student off to a good start for a new school year. In this Newsletter I have included some tips and ideas to help everyone get off to a great start: Key strategies for setting […]

Using Timers = Reducing Anxiety = Improved Behaviour I often find your best strategies come when you reflect on yourself and try to put yourself in a child with an ASD’s shoes. Think how you use time, when it goes fast, when it drags, when it helps you plan, when it makes you anxious, when […]

With So Many Autism, Aspergers, ADHD and ODD Resources Available, Which are Essentials for a Professional and Why? There are so many resources now available to help teach children on the autism spectrum and it can be difficult to know which ones will be the most helpful – and this is a question I am […]

It can take a lot of energy and planning to get each student off to a good start for a new school year. When you may have one or two children in your class on the Autism Spectrum, this is even more important for their benefit and your other students. Getting the Classroom Structures right is a […]

Understand their difference (strengths and challenges), accept their different way of thinking, learning, socialising, etc .(Great reference to understanding ASD is Dr Tony Attwood’s books). Break it down. Break tasks down into smaller parts and give them each step sequentially. If possible, give them a checklist to mark off as they do each step. Do […]

Here are some tips for Home that can be used at school too. Even if your cultural background does not celebrate Christmas it is impossible to get away from it in during December.  14 Tips for Christmas Social Scripts are great to use at Christmas to explain traditions, expectations (ie thank for present even if […]

Recently on my Facebook page I posted “Growing Up Autistic: 10 Tips for Teenagers with Asperger Syndrome or Mild Autism” by Chris Bonnello. It had a huge response and Chris has kindly given me permission to put the full article on my website. Parents, educators and teens all found the article very helpful so please, […]

Content of E-Book √ Top 12 Tips to Set Up for Success √ Using Sensory Toys to Improve Learning and Behaviour √ Different Ways of Teaching √ Use Rewards and Special Interests to Motivate and Engage in Learning √ 12 Top Tips to Keeping on Task √ Why and How to Use Visuals √ 9 […]

Many schools have introduced Lunchtime Clubs and had great success. Playgrounds are unstructured, unpredictable places where children with ASD struggle to follow and join in the numerous social interactions surrounding them. Children with ASD frequently return to class from the playground in a high state of anxiety. In addition, their self-esteem frequently takes a battering. […]

  Girls with ASD are often undiagnosed, because original diagnostic criteria have a boy bias. The criteria were created by actually examining mainly boys, and the girls can be very different. I think we all know ‘neuro-typical’ boys and girls are very different in their social, communication and behaviour. There are many characteristics that are […]

For those of on holidays or about to start the break.  I thought you might like some holidays reading -Term 3 Newsletter. By subscribing to our newsletter below you will then be able to print out or read online the complete newsletter. Many of you would have heard me say “It takes a community to raise […]

Puberty is a natural development for all children. Puberty starts in girls around 10-11 and boys 11-12. Menstruation for girls typically occurs between 12 and 13, while voice changes for boys is often around 15. We ALL need to have on-going discussions with the child and this is where having both home and school helping the child’s […]

 Has anyone ever told you to calm down? How did you respond? Have you ever sent a child to a “break area / time out” and it escalated the behaviour? Do you know children who have difficulty regulating emotions?  Do you know kids who struggle with friendships because of emotional reactions?   Are you struggling […]

Role of Writing and Fine Motor Skills  “The process of writing requires much more than the ability to form pretty letters. The writing process involves skills in language, organization, motor control and planning, and sensory processing: four areas that are problematic for many individuals with ASD. It is essential that parents and teachers consider how […]

Understanding Sensory Needs Dr Temple Grandin talks a great deal about her sensory needs, how sensory has been one of her biggest challenges in life, and how a huge amount of her behaviour could have been stopped by some simple clothing changes (e.g. pants not dresses). By recognising and understanding a child’s sensory needs we can put […]

  Recognising and managing meltdowns and tantrums is vital to support people with ASD. Every child with ASD will experience very individual symptoms that are unique to them. Not all individuals with ASD will experience a “meltdown” and instead may “shut down.”It is very important you are familiar with each child’s triggers and responses. In this […]

A Different Way of Learning and Engaging People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience the world differently. In this Newsletter I have explored and explained a range of different ways to support their learning, engaging, behaviour and more. Many children with ASD, ADHD, developmental delays, etc. need a range of adaptions and educational supports to […]

Autism Awareness Day Sat April 2nd (or anytime in April is Autism Awareness Month) Your opportunity to make Big Difference in 2016Great Books to Read to Children, Students, Family & Community during April Acceptance is the key to making a difference. When people understand that a child with ASD learns differently and needs different supports […]

Saturday April 2nd is Autism Awareness and a wonderful opportunity to raise understanding of ASD. As it is on a Saturday, I would love you to start planning now what you can do Friday April 1st in your school, preschool. That is 2 weeks away at the time I post this Blog Hope these  9 […]

In my experience successful education for a child with ASD starts with a positive working relationship between home and school. One of the biggest challenges for parents/carers and teachers is to develop an effective relationship. It is in the interest of everyone involved – child, staff and families – that we create a positive partnership. […]

Transition from One Activity to Another Many children with ASD have difficulties accepting change and transition from one activity to another. In fact, most behaviour happens during change/transition. In my experience this is because it requires problem solving, choices and adults tend to use more verbal information instead of visual information. It can also be […]

Many of you may just be finding out who the students are in your class or who is your child’s teacher. This is a great time to catch up on my Time Savers and Proven Practical Strategies if the student has an ASD, ADHD, ADD, ODD or SPD diagnosis. This Newsletter contains  How to Make the Biggest Difference in 2016 […]

For Schools: Concerts, Exams, Tests, Excursions, Transition to New Class/School, Orientation days and more. For Families: Holidays, Preparing for new teachers, Family Visitors, Christmas, New Year and more. 12 Essential Tips Concerts & End of Year Celebrations 1.    Use Schedules, Calendars, Diaries to forewarn about upcoming events 2.    Photos: Take Photographs or find pictures of people, places. […]

For many students on the Autism Spectrum, their biggest challenge is anxiety. This can be anxiety about making choices, friendship, making mistakes, separation anxiety, any change in routine or staff and the list goes on.  Research has shown that more than 75% of all children with an ASD, ODD, ADHD experience INTENSE anxious feelings. Some […]

Managing meltdowns is very important. I believe the key is getting in early and putting in place strategies before the behaviour escalates.  You will need a range of strategies to prevent the meltdown escalating. For some students strategies that may help include: ignoring, distracting, redirecting, send on an errand, and more. Understanding the Three Stages […]

Content of E-Book √ Total of 41 Tips & Strategies √ 8 Key Strategies for Setting Up for Success √ Schedules and Timers √ 10 Essential Strategies for Inclusion √ Creating Successful Playgrounds √ Summary Profile of Student  8 Key Strategies for Setting Up for Success If you have a student on the autism spectrum […]

Transition includes change in teacher, change in room, change in students in the class not just starting preschool, school, high school and beyond. The nature of ASD is such that transition can be extremely stressful, no matter what age or how BIG or SMALL the change maybe. Changing Teacher is like…. Moving to a Foreign […]