Tag: Gersh Academy
Holiday Gift Ideas for Children with Autism
Holiday gift shopping can be an exciting time, especially when you find a gift that lights up your child’s face. For children with autism, selecting the perfect present is about celebrating their individuality, strengths, and unique interests. Each child has their own way of experiencing joy, and with a little thoughtfulness, you can choose something […] Read more »
3 Tips to Create More Self-Sufficiency with Your Young Adult with Autism
“Will my child be okay on their own?” “Are they really ready to take on these responsibilities?” “How can I best prepare them for what lies ahead?” It’s true–the journey to self-sufficiency for young adults is not without its trials.There will be moments of doubt, setbacks, and situations that test your patience and resilience. Of […] Read more »
Collaborative & Proactive Solutions: Gersh Academy’s Guiding Philosophy
If you have been at Gersh Academy for any amount of time, you already know we are more than just a school; we are a community deeply committed to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment tailored to the unique needs of each student. Every child’s educational journey is personal, filled with distinct challenges and triumphs. […] Read more »
4 Ways To Help Your Child with Autism Self-Regulate
Emotional regulation is the ability to understand, manage, and respond to an emotional experience in an appropriate way. For children with autism, this can be incredibly difficult. They often experience heightened sensory sensitivity, challenges with communication, and higher levels of anxiety. The goal of emotional regulation, then, is to help the child gain the necessary […] Read more »
How to Prevent Summer Regression for Children with Autism
We are deep into summer now, and though this season provides a welcome break from the school routine, for many children with autism, it can also exacerbate what’s known as the “summer slide”. Did you know that many children with autism can experience setbacks in both academic and social skills during these months? This is […] Read more »
Does My Child with Autism Have Sensory Processing Disorder?
Parenting an autistic child means endless questions, like “Is this autism, or is this developmental?” One thing many parents find themselves questioning is whether their child’s sensory sensitivities are a typical aspect of autism, or signs of SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder). Sensory Processing Disorder is characterized by the brain’s difficulty in handling sensory input. This […] Read more »
How to Build Self-Advocacy Skills in Your Autistic Child
As our children grow, so much time is spent focused on their education, wondering if they will have satisfactory employment and if they will be able to live on their own. Yet, the ability to self-advocate is what most determines the quality of a person’s life. Self-advocacy is the ability for someone to understand and […] Read more »
A Review of AAC Devices and Who They Can Help
Most parents will never know the difficulty of trying to communicate with a child who struggles to speak. If you have a non-speaking or primarily non-speaking child, you are all too familiar with the endless desire to simply understand what your child wants at any given moment. As a parent navigating the complexities of raising […] Read more »
How to Create a Care Map for Your Child with Autism
Between therapies, groups, and specialists, when you have a child on the autism spectrum, you probably feel as if your schedule is always booked solid. Beyond that, keeping up with all of this, and making the most of your resources, is a feat all on its own. A care map is a visual tool that […] Read more »
How To Prepare a Child with Autism for a Birthday Party
If your child with autism has received an invitation to a birthday party, you likely have mixed feelings: excitement they were included in the festivities, and dread of all the possibilities this unpredictable event might hold. For a child with autism, attending a birthday party can be both exciting and overwhelming due to the sensory […] Read more »
4 Tips for Holiday Gatherings for Children with Autism
The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. It is also a time of crowds, bright lights, loud music, and rushed activities. For children with autism, this presents a unique set of challenges due to sensory sensitivities, changes in routine, and social expectations. Preparing for and navigating through holiday gatherings requires a […] Read more »
5 Tips to Deal with After-School Meltdowns
All day, your child’s experience is completely planned out. They listen to someone else’s directions, are told where and how to sit, and receive reminders to focus, on top of the plethora of sensory needs not having a chance to be met. That sets the stage for something many parents, and especially parents of autistic […] Read more »
When and How to Seek OOD Placement: Part 2
When and How to Seek OOD Placement When a parent of a child with autism or other special needs begins their partnership with the local school district, everyone is optimistic. Maybe the first, second, or even fifth IEP meeting was productive and with good intentions, and the teachers and therapists all worked with your child’s […] Read more »
When and How to Seek OOD Placement: Part 1
For all children, and particularly those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), receiving appropriate educational services is vital for their growth and development. But what if you have argued for years for the substantial services your child is receiving at school, and they are not making the expected progress? What if the IEP (individualized education plan) […] Read more »
The Purpose of Echolalia for Children with Autism
A neurotypical child, by their third birthday, can be expected to put together sentences in their own unique way. By 4 and 5, they are expected to carry on conversations. What do these expectations mean for a parent of a child on the autism spectrum? Often a lot of anxious googling, discussions with a speech-language […] Read more »
What is Stimming: 5 Reasons Children with Autism Stim
What is stimming? Everybody stims! Think pen-tapping, humming while you wait, or twirling hair. “Stimming”, or self-stimulation, is a way to regulate emotions or even entertain yourself for a moment. For those on the autism spectrum, stimming is usually more pronounced and is even part of the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for ASD (autism spectrum disorder). […] Read more »
4 Ways to Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month
April is Autism Acceptance Month, which is a time to raise awareness and promote understanding and inclusion of autistic individuals. This month is an opportunity for individuals on the autism spectrum, their families, and friends to celebrate and honor the unique strengths and contributions of individuals with autism. As families that are part of the […] Read more »
6 Ways to Plan an Impactful Summer for Your Child with Autism
For many children, summer is a time of excitement, spontaneity, and freedom. For those on the autism spectrum, however, it also translates to a lack of routine, which can bring anxiety and overwhelm. Because children with autism rely so much on having a predictable schedule, planning and preparing them ahead of time is essential. Use […] Read more »
What is OT and How Does It Benefit a Child with Autism?
When your child is diagnosed with autism, a likely part of their care plan is occupational therapy (OT). This is because the intent of OT is to help the child adapt to their environments more easily and become independent and functioning adults. For many children with autism, filtering out sensory input is an endless challenge, […] Read more »
Tips To Help Your Child Seeking Sensory Input
Tips To Help Your Child Seeking Sensory Input It’s the kid who can’t sit still in the classroom. The one constantly distracted during the lesson. The child who gets so caught up in what they’re doing, they can’t transition to the next activity. Or the kid who melts down seemingly out of nowhere, when things […] Read more »
3 Ways Having a Pet Benefits Your Child with Autism
As a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, you likely already feel stretched too thin. The last thing you want to do is add even more responsibility into your household. However, we at Gersh Academy recognize the immense power animals have on our students. It is why we chose our campus at Cougar […] Read more »
Growing Gersh Academy at West Hills
Our West Hills, Long Island campus is expanding services to a full Gersh Academy K-23 therapeutic program for young people on the autism spectrum! Read more »
Gersh Academy 2019 Graduation Ceremony [VIDEO]
Check out our 2019 New York Graduation Recap Video. Congratulations Class of 2019! Read more »
Autism Day at Six Flags Great Adventure – May 8th
CEF and Gersh Academy return to bring you the sensory-friendly event people can’t stop talking about Read more »