Parents naturally want to provide the best possible environment for their children.When your child is on the autism spectrum, surroundings can make a big impact in helping her to prosper.Here are some suggestions to help you design the best possible bedroom for your child with autism. Create zones .  Creating zones in your child's bedroom can be a boon to helping her feel comfortable and thrive. Make a space dedicated to playing, another spa...

Does this sound familiar? Get your brand new baby ready for college! Prepare your child's resume to look spectacular. Get them involved in extracurricular activities early! Get them into classes to learn how to play sports and dance, so they can be the best when it counts. These are all opportunities that will set them apart and get them into the best universities. If your child is not involved in at least three extracurricular activities or unab...

Want to get your child a phone, but don't want to give them a smartphone? You're not alone. More parents are finding alternatives beyond internet- connected devices filled with apps. As young children start school, there's lots of changes. Previously they may have been in your care all the time, but now they're doing things on their own. They may be in afterschool programs, or staying overnight at a friend's house or on a school trip. Ages 5-12 a...

As a parent support specialist with Help Me Grow Utah, I sometimes get asked questions regarding receiving an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis. Frequent questions often sound like: Does Help Me Grow screen for autism? My pediatrician administered the M-CHAT to my child and it said he is at high risk-- doesn't that count as a diagnosis? My child just received an autism diagnosis-- what does she need now? For any parent that has similar que...

It seems like news and information about child development is always changing. It can be hard to keep up with the most current science, theories, and parenting techniques. ZERO TO THREE recently compiled a list of hot, new articles and we wanted to share them with you!  Touch to Baby's Lips Sets off Intense Brain R esponse New research reveals a special neural signature associated with touching a baby's lips. It's an indicator of h...

Did you have a pet growing up? I know I did! Dogs, bunnies, snakes, frogs, tarantulas-- you name it, and I bet you I had it! My dog was named Biff, he was my best friend! He would hang out by my side, steal my diapers, and give me countless cuddles. He taught me how to be gentle and loving; I pulled on his tail once, he did not like that and I learned that QUICKLY! He taught me to be responsible; dogs can't open doors or fill their water bowls! L...

Voting is an important part of civic engagement and is a privilege we should all use and teach our children to use. Talking with our children about the voting process, why we vote, and why it matters prepares them to be informed citizens when they grow older and enables them to help shape the world around them. You can even bring them with you to the polls or let them watch you fill out your ballot for a first-hand look at how our democracy works...

​ "Hand, hand, fingers, thumb. One thumb one thumb drumming on a drum. Dum ditty dum ditty dum dum dum" writes Al Perkins in the beloved children's book "Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb." As a young girl, my mom taught me how to play the piano. Like many young kids, I would moan and groan for the full 20 minutes my mom asked me to practice each day: one thumb, two thumbs, pounding-the-same-eight-notes in a scale over and over and over was not nearly a...

As children grow up, besides their usual everyday activities, arts and crafts form an essential part of their formative years. In schools these days, keen importance is placed on helping children discover and explore their creativity through arts and crafts projects, primarily. Arts and crafts do not only bring out the creativity children; health-wise, there are other benefits that children can gain from arts and crafts to boost their physical an...

By the time I was 2 years old, I had been to the Emergency Room no less than 8 times for breathing troubles. My first visit was at just 6 weeks old. A few months before my third birthday, I would be diagnosed with severe persistent asthma . Today, my asthma is so well-controlled that you would never know that for most of my childhood, I spent days at a time struggling to breathe, and the moments between these flare-ups being terrified that I migh...

When my son was three months old, a woman at my childhood church looked lovingly at me and said, "Isn't it just wonderful? Could you ever even imagine loving anything or anyone as much as you love him?" I cannot remember how I responded to her question, or if I even did. Inside I thought, "Well, I actually can. Because, I do not love him." Her comment, made in kindness, absolutely tore me into pieces. I was on a therapist prescribed vacation, see...

I love to play games, especially card games. There's just something about being surrounded by others and enjoying the conversation as you strategize your next move. I'm the first to admit that not all games are child-friendly. But with a little creativity, you can involve children in many games, even if they aren't able to comprehend the strategy involved. Games are fantastic for those times you find yourself waiting. For example, have you ever f...

 Adoption is a topic close to my heart because my husband was adopted. I have learned from him the wonders of adoption, but also the hard topics and situations that may arise due to having a child come into your family in such a way. Adoption can be a hard topic for families to talk about with their child. However, feelings about being adopted can influence a child's sense of self-worth and esteem. While every family's situation is different...

Have you ever noticed how life has a tendency to throw all sorts of unexpected twists and turns, especially at the least convenient times? I've heard enough experiences to know that this doesn't just happen to me; everyone has their own story. It's often hard for me (but really, most adults as well) to deal with these types of challenges. Imagine what it's like for a child! Yet we often have huge expectations of our children at their first sign o...

There is arguably nothing cuter than a baby's gummy, ear-to-ear grin...until they get two little teeth in the front, then it's game over. But that extreme level of cuteness doesn't come without a price, especially on baby's end. Fussiness, swollen gums, sleeplessness, and even a fever are just some symptoms your baby will express when teething begins. Teething usually begins around age 4-6 months, and by 3 years old your child...

Most of you reading this blog may have already had a baby or you are currently pregnant. Maybe this is your fourth, but you forgot what it was like and what to focus on. I have three best friends and they all have already had their first baby so I decided to pick their brains. I wanted to know the top things they wish they had done while they were pregnant, or what they would have changed. I wanted to know the things they did that helped them dur...

Not only did your partner just finish carrying the baby in her belly for 9 months, if she chooses to breastfeed, she'll be spending hours each day and night feeding. It can be easy to feel left out or uncomfortable with a new baby; there are a lot of adjustments to make! But don't worry, you aren't expected to know everything or be perfect. To help smooth over the transition to fatherhood a little better, here are some tips for first time dads an...

Looking for something fun to do with your children and only have a piece of paper? This is a fun way to entertain children (and yourself) while exercising your brain muscles: Tangrams. Tangrams is an ancient Chinese puzzle that has seven pieces (tans) of geometric shapes. Each set has one square, one parallelogram, and a variety of triangle sizes (two large, one medium, and two small). A simple way to play with tangrams is to print out ...

Your child's day is filled with noise, motion and lights. From TVs blaring, phones buzzing and more, their days can be filled with devices and distractions. These distractions make the brain work harder. A National Safety Council white paper said , "Human brains do not perform two tasks at the same time. Instead, the brain handles tasks sequentially, switching between one task and another." Over time, these distractions cause stress, decrease pro...

The warm weather means that more families look to the great outdoors for their activities. Bike riding is a great activity that many families with kids of all ages can enjoy. While bike riding can be a great experience for everyone, there are some important safety tips and guidelines to consider before you take your children for a bike ride. The most important thing to do before your child hops on their bike is to get them a properly fitted helme...