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Autism and Sleep Issues: Tips for Establishing Healthy Routines

Introduction: Sleep plays a crucial role in our overall well-being, and this is no different for individuals on the autism spectrum. However, many individuals with autism struggle with sleep issues, including difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, or maintaining a regular sleep schedule. These sleep challenges can have a significant impact on their daily lives and overall quality of life. In this article, we will explore some practical tips and strategies for establishing healthy sleep routines for individuals with autism. Establish a Consistent Sleep Schedule: Maintaining a regular sleep schedule is essential for individuals with autism. Help them establish a consistent bedtime routine, ensuring they go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, including weekends. Consistency can help regulate their internal body clock and promote better sleep. Create a Calming Bedtime Routine: Develop a relaxing bedtime routine that includes activities such as reading a book, listening to...
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Happy Teacher's Day !!!!

  My son is the best teacher I ever had.... He taught me to celebrate small achievements.... He taught me to smile no matter what happens...... He taught me to ignore the words of people....... He taught me to believe in myself..... He taught me to work hard....... He taught me to connect with loved ones....... He taught me that it is OK to be carefree in life....... He taught me that by taking small steps we can achieve greater things..... He taught me to be thankful...... He taught me to be kind regardless of the fact who that person is...... He taught me to be patient... He taught me to believe in the words not the meaning behind them.... I am still learning .... HAPPY TEACHER' S DAY #autism #AutismPakistan #autismawareness #autismfamiliesunderstand #autismspeaks #autismacceptance #lifeofamom #lifeofaspecialmom #HappyTeachersDay #acceptance

Motherhood!!!

Being a mother is not easy but being a special need mother is exhausting, more demanding, unpredictable and at the same time it is rewarding, exploring inner-self and celebrating small success. It’s exhausting, because you have to be alert all the time despite of the fact that your child is toddler or adult. You will be doing same things for your child all the time like feeding, bathing, etc. You will be handling society pressure as if it was your “fault”! Exhausting in such a way that you will not be able to rest for longer period of time. Thoughts of if’s and but’s will surround your brain. It’s demanding, because you will have to be there for your child, ALWAYS!   You have no social life. Whenever you plan for socializing, you will have a complete list of items/ activities that you would have to take with you so that your child does not get bored.   You have to plan your day according to your child’s routine. A small change in routine results in a disaster. It’s unpre...
For 6 years, almost every night, I would dream that Abdullah started talking and finally one day he did.... When your child is talking and expressing his feelings and needs, it is a blessing. But with special needs that is not the case. We celebrate our smallest successes that are not even realized in normal world. Talking, eating every food, realizing potential danger, chewing on food are just a few examples. I realized that when Abdullah did not spoke for 6 years. He babbled and stimmed but was unable to talk. It was a dream that one day he will talk. His speech therapist once said that Abdullah said" ch" for chips, but he didn't said that once in front of me. I thought she is just making up or confusing some other sounds with "ch". We started PECS with Abdullah, he started communicating by exchanging pictures.  He understood that by giving a specific picture card i will be able to get that thing. It was a small but a strong step towards communication. I broug...

Red flags of Autism !!!!

"He is fine!" "He will start speaking soon" "Boys are usually late talkers and hyper-active". These were the comments I used to hear when my son Abdullah did not speak for 2.5 years. He was very hyper, full of energy and was not willing to sleep even at night. Being newly into motherhood, I knew nothing about the milestones of toddlers. Abdullah was born through C-section with a healthy weight of 3.2 kg and had natal teeth. The only thing his doctor said was that some newborns have natal teeth and there is nothing to worry about. GREAT! Abdullah was a happy, healthy, adorable and pampered child till the age of 1.5 years suddenly, he REGRESSED. I had no idea what's going on! What happened to him? Toddler who used to sleep at day and night suddenly became hyper. I would try hours to make him sleep during the day but NO! For Almost a year I struggled, he would run away in parks not knowing that he can get hurt, I always had to hold his hand stro...

From A Special Parent's Heart.....

When I was told that my son has AUTISM , I had no idea what Autism was! I had never heard that word before. I came home and Googled "AUTISM " and what that word holds, you all know! That day changed everything, me , my life, my son, my thoughts, my vision, my dreams, we as family, everything! The damaged happened that day, was healed in years. We started therapies the very next week but, we were trying to absorb the diagnosis. I believe that when there is a special needs kid in a family, the whole family becomes special. Our thinking, our way of living, socialization, outing, travelling everything becomes SPECIAL. First priority becomes that child, who is overload to the sounds of vacuum, tv, grinder, passing bike outside the house, specific pitch of a sound! Who is not eating anything except 4 foods! Who is not willing to sleep at night! Who is listening to the same nursery rhyme 100th time ! Who would cry while coming back home after an hour of wondering on roads! But a...
 Abdullah has been using laptop for quite a while now. He knows how to search on Google, how to use YouTube and can type in to watch his favorite videos. He is very fond of roaming around the world on Google Earth. Mostly he uses laptop alone but I always keep an eye on him as to what he is watching. Today there was a technical problem with the internet and he has nothing to do. He was not in the mood to study so, I opened paint and made him draw different shapes. He selected the colors of the shapes he drew and then matched the shapes color to their names. That was really fun. He was very interactive during this activity.