Tag: Autism Awareness

As a parent of a child with autism, you know that emotional regulation can be one of the biggest daily challenges. Whether it’s frustration over a change in routine, sensory overload, or difficulty expressing feelings, big emotions can take over fast. We have a lot of tools we use at…

Transitioning from high school to adulthood brings new responsibilities and expectations. For many autistic young adults, challenges with executive functioning, like time management, organization, and task completion, can make this transition overwhelming. The good news? Technology can be an extremely helpful tool in building independence, structure, and confidence in their…

For many children, and especially those with autism, new experiences can be overwhelming. Whether it’s attending a family gathering, getting a haircut, or even riding an escalator for the first time, not knowing what to expect can create stress and anxiety.  Even everyday situations like going to a restaurant, joining…

Teaching good hygiene habits is an important part of supporting your autistic young adult’s growth and self-sufficiency. However, personal care routines can often feel overwhelming due to sensory sensitivities, executive functioning challenges, or difficulty with task-switching. For many autistic individuals, hygiene tasks involve multiple steps that require motor planning, body…

Parenting a child with autism is an extraordinary journey filled with love, learning, and growth. Yet, it also comes with unique challenges that often feel overwhelming. Balancing therapy appointments, advocating for your child, and managing daily life can leave little space for personal care. This leaves many parents with the…

It’s the time a parent of a child with autism has on their minds since diagnosis: transition into adulthood. Of course, it’s a pivotal time for any young person, but for autistic children, it often comes with unique challenges and considerations. Navigating this period requires understanding a host of terms…

“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…

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…

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…

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…