Positive Development’s Post

Autistic play is not just for kids and is the topic for today’s #AutisticEmpowerment post! Many Autistic people are told that we play “wrong”. Many of us have been shamed for playing with something in a way differently than it was maybe originally designed, or playing with it in a way that others hadn’t thought of. And since when did people become the Play Police deciding what kind of play is and isn’t okay? All play is valid. Play has many, many purposes including boosting our wellbeing, learning, connecting with others, engaging in our interests, and – best of all – fun! How we achieve these things can be very personal. What is fun for me may not be fun for you, but that’s totally fine. The world would be dreadfully dull if we all played the same way. What can Autistic play look like then? Autistic play might include: Lining up toys in a specific order Laying out a scene with our toys Creating shapes and patterns Creating rich imaginary worlds with characters, rivalries, love and intrigue Drawing the same picture multiple times It could be building and caring for a collection Sensory seeking like swinging, climbing, hiding in small spaces, or spinning Scripting games before they begin Word play and puns Echolalia and palilalia Interest in something you’d expect from someone older/younger All of this is ok! Sometimes some Autistic people prefer playing alone. This can minimise distractions, cut out the stress of socialising, and allow us to dip into a monotropic flow state more easily. Sometimes playing with a friend or family member can be fun, especially if it is an organised game. Many of us love a good board or video game! Often we enjoy partaking in parallel play which we mentioned on Sunday when talking about love languages (missed that post? Go back and check it out!). In my home often we are all doing our own thing and sharing space while doing so. Sometimes that results in some co-operative play, sometimes it doesn’t, but it means we can talk about what we are doing in a safe space. How can you support Autistic play? First off – accept that our play may look different but that it is valid. Support our SpIns. Some people pathologise our interests and encourage parents to restrict our access to them, but they can bring enormous joy and help us to regulate. Buy toys we are genuinely interested in. Not just the toys you think we could like based on age and gender expectations. If possible, don’t just wait for special occasions. Our passionate interests can become all consuming and having to wait 3 months for a birthday could mean missing out on a lot of fun. Remember that if you are joining us playing that you are a guest in our play, not the other way around. Learn the way we are playing, subvert your expectations and you just might have a whole lot of fun! #autism #autistic #AutismAwareness #AutisticAcceptance #AutisticCommunity #AutisticCulture #play #AutisticPlay #childhood #ParallelPlay #boardgame #videogame #SpIn

🌟 Exploring Serious Mobile Games for Children with Autism 🌟 As technology advances, so does our ability to create meaningful and impactful tools for all members of our community. One of the most exciting developments in recent years is the emergence of serious mobile games designed specifically for children with autism. These innovative games are more than just entertainment. They serve as powerful tools to help children with autism develop critical skills such as communication, social interaction, and emotional regulation. By leveraging engaging gameplay and adaptive learning techniques, these apps can provide personalized support that meets each child's unique needs. Here are some key benefits of serious mobile games for children with autism: 1. Interactive Learning:These games offer interactive scenarios that help children practice real-world skills in a safe and controlled environment. 2. Engagement and Motivation:The fun and engaging nature of games can increase motivation and attention, making learning more effective. 3. Skill Development: Games can be tailored to target specific skills, such as language, motor coordination, and problem-solving. 4. Progress Tracking: Many of these apps include features that allow parents and therapists to track progress and adjust the difficulty level to match the child's development. As we continue to innovate, it's crucial that we support and promote technologies that enhance the lives of children with autism. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive world where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Let's celebrate these advancements and continue to advocate for inclusive technologies! #AutismAwareness #EdTech #SeriousGames #InclusiveTech #ChildDevelopment #MobileLearning

Why Can't Professionals Serving The Autistic Community See Us? Autistic kids are brilliant. They don't do imaginary play that applies for children with limited knowledge and experience. Autistic kids are born with open senses and that creates extraordinary talent in their most gifted areas. They take in enough inputs, in their gifted areas, to play/think like adults. It occurs intellectually not physically. They are spatially modeling it in their subconscious. It may not manifest like adults because the brain and body have limits and they are trapped in child bodies. This is why video games work. My kids make things in video games most adults simply could not fathom. This is extreme giftedness. I did not do imaginary play because for me the doll was not real. There was no making it real. Besides I could actually engage with a real live doll (my baby sister). We don't play until we fully understand it. We don't do many things until we fully understand. We take in so much this is a necessity. I didn't play mom to my baby sister, I was mom. My mom just handed her over to a me as a 5/6 year old because she was exhausted (4 kids in 5 years). I loved it. It was the love I needed to heal to be healthy. I have so much trauma from society trying to beat into me I did everything wrong because I didn't need to learn steps. My brain formed the patterns subconsciously and then I much more efficiently executed the process my way. Imaginary play is using your emotions to play. My emotions connect to my intellect. Others do not have this ability. Their emotions are more like religion. They fill in the blanks with parts and pieces of reality and the rest is fantastical. I don't fill in the fantastical. I know someday nature will fill it in for me with fact. I am comfortable with not knowing. I see it as opportunity to learn and grow. Autistic children have embodied intelligence. It's a shame professionals serving the neurodivergent community can't be more like these children and think for themselves to a greater degree. But I guarantee these children can and do. If you think I am being harsh remember many of us can talk. They could ask us what we need or why we do what we do. They don't. They still don't even when we hit adulthood. Instead they tell me I am wrong and they know me better than I know myself. Ha! Autistic kids know they are smart. This is why some are raging in their schools. They want to add value to society. But society that has excluded them and pretended they are less than. That is rage inducing. Society is missing out on seeing and understanding what these children can do and all they can offer the world. The answers to our future lie in these children and our societal arrogance about what and who is intelligent is in the process of killing us all. These kids are innocent bystanders and deserve so much better.

METRO encourages acceptance, understanding, and empathy while fostering equal access and opportunity for all. METRO is committed to employing from a diverse community and supports initiatives that promote inclusion. Autism by the Numbers ➡️ According to the Autism Speaks "Autism by the Numbers 2023 Inaugural Annual Report," 1 in 35 children in the U.S., aged 3 – 17, are diagnosed with ASD. The average age of diagnosis in the U.S. is 5 years old with the average age of first intervention being 4.7 years. In Texas, per the 2016-2019 data from the National Survey of Children’s Health, the average age of autism diagnosis is 6.4 years. As children progress as students, vocational rehabilitation (VR) services have proven to be helpful. The U.S. Department of Education data indicates that 60% of students who received VR services in high school obtained a job when they left school. According to the same data, in Texas, 63% of autistic students who received vocational services were employed when they left a VR service. Autism Speaks encourages employees to #ActFearlesslyForChange, by showing support and participating in one of the following activities: 1) reading books about Autism, 2) donating to Autism Acceptance Groups, 3) wearing blue, gold, or rainbow, or 4) patronizing businesses that embrace neurodiversity. To read the full Autism Speaks Autism by the Numbers 2023 Inaugural Annual Report, click here (PDF): https://bit.ly/4cWNv1M ^D

Patterns in Play: Using Play Schemas to Promote Social Engagement for Young Autistic Children FREE for NDBI Essentials Members https://lnkd.in/g5jjuZNx Webinar Description  Play is the language of childhood, and play schemas are the keys to unlocking a child's interest and motivation. In this webinar, we'll dive into play schemas – those fascinating repeated play patterns that provide crucial insights into children's development and thought processes which lead to social engagement with others. We will explore innovative approaches to understanding and supporting play schemas, while learning how to 'reframe' how we think about the child's special interests and self-stimulatory behaviors to better support social engagement and communication with others. An overview of the seven main play schemas will be presented, as well as numerous examples of play activities to support each play schema. Don't miss this opportunity to unlock the play potential in young children with autism, and discover how to create supportive environments that nurture social interaction, communication, and development, while adapting your interactions to foster engagement and learning for each child. Learning Objectives At the end of the webinar, participants will be able to: 💡 Play Schema Essentials: Understand the core concepts of play schemas and their significance. 💡 Recognizing Schemas: Learn to identify and interpret various play schemas in children's play. 💡 Supportive Strategies: Discover how to support and extend children's play using play schemas.

Today's Collab topic prepared by Pranaya (BT) Title: The Impact of Media on Autistic Children: Understanding, Challenges, and Strategies Introduction: Media, encompassing television, video games, social media, and other digital platforms, has become an integral part of modern life, influencing individuals across various age groups and backgrounds. However, for autistic children, the effects of media consumption can be particularly nuanced and profound. This essay aims to explore the impact of media on autistic children, including both the benefits and challenges, and offers strategies for promoting positive media engagement within this population. Understanding Autism and Media Consumption: Autistic individuals often exhibit sensory sensitivities and may struggle with processing complex social cues and information. In the context of media consumption, these characteristics can significantly influence how autistic children engage with various forms of media. Benefits of Media Engagement: Media can offer several benefits for autistic children, including: Educational Opportunities: Certain television programs, apps, and games designed specifically for children with autism can provide valuable educational content and help develop essential skills such as language, social interaction, and problem-solving. Visual Learning Tools: Visual media, such as videos and interactive applications, can be effective in teaching autistic children concepts and behaviors by providing visual representations and structured information delivery. Coping Mechanisms: For some autistic children, engaging with media serves as a coping mechanism for managing sensory overload or anxiety-inducing situations. Watching familiar videos or playing calming games can provide a sense of comfort and security. Challenges of Media Engagement: Despite the potential benefits, media consumption can pose significant challenges for autistic children, including: Overstimulation: Many forms of media, particularly those with fast-paced visuals or loud sounds, can overwhelm autistic children's sensory systems, leading to increased stress and agitation. Misinterpretation of Social Cues: Autistic individuals may struggle to understand the subtle social cues portrayed in media content, leading to confusion or misinterpretation of interpersonal interactions depicted on screen. Obsessive Behaviors: Some autistic children may develop obsessive interests in specific media content, leading to excessive screen time and potential difficulties in transitioning to other activities. #RaiseAgainstAutism #PinnacleSaysItAll #PinnacleBloomsNetwork #1AutismTherapyCentresNetwork

Schools are a launchpad for young people. They help set the foundations for life and should provide all students with the opportunity to flourish. Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) and Positive Partnerships' recent article explains how families and teachers can work together to ensure that every student’s educational journey is enriching, including those on the autism spectrum. "Effective daily communication is vital in ensuring families and teachers have the right information to support the individual student." That's why we're so passionate about creating digital ecosystems that help busy parents and teachers collaborate with more ease. Tap the link below to learn more. https://buff.ly/3NWq5in #childrenseducation #digitalhealth #neurodiversity

Are you from a mainstream school in Norfolk that needs assistance with understanding autistic and neurodivergent needs within your classroom? Or are you a parent? Or an autistic or neurodivergent child or a young person struggling with school because of your neurodiversity? Due to be introduced and launched on the 2nd April - National Autism week - project “Awkward Education” aims to critique the big issues around neurodiversity and autism in schools, not by criticising, but by untying the difficulties that lie within the policy and school framework when trying to understand and advocate autism. We are asking the ‘sociology of expertise’, to positively work together to research, understand, scrutinise, and recognise a theory of change for positive interventions, which can be delivered, monitored, evaluated, reviewed and implemented. We ask, what is the actual experience for the child in this moment of overwhelm, what would help them? Reflections will be made on ‘Behaviour Policy’. Real life is not ’tick-box’, social implications of frameworks like schools on us as developing human beings is a massive deal - labelling, self esteem and worth, school anxiety, all connected to us as individuals within our personal sociological framework. Imagine real, inclusive support for everyone, real support, from ‘the village’ mentality, not just a SEN room to sit in when it all gets too much, but an understanding of the human condition and how we can work with all the different narratives in our lives and become strong, resilient human beings not in spite of it, but because of it. If you are a school, a teacher, a parent, a child or young person on the spectrum, in a mainstream school, get in touch, let’s open this conversation, and make happen some inspirational, much needed, inclusive social change. 💛✨ @freedomwellbeingproject @freedomyoga_retreats @zenmuma_zenkids #autismadvocacy #norfolk #uearesearch

Happy to share this for Naomi Fisher as this sounds like an interesting and informative webinar. #specialneedsparenting #autismawareness #autismsupport #adhdcommunity #adhdsupport #children #childrenandplay #imagination #computergames #learninganddevelopment #neuroinclusion #neurodivergent #education #minecraft #lego #roblox