7/15: Offer your child alternatives to Potter-mania.
There's a new Harry Potter movie afoot, and many kids enchanted by the young wizard will be caught up once again in Potter-mania. That's a lonely time for children who find those big books full of made-up words and worlds to be more overwhelming than wondrous. ContinuedMore »
7/16: Cover the tray-table latch on airplanes.
The tray-table latch used to be a thing of fascination for my son on plane flights. I always wondered what was more irritating to the person in the seat in front of him -- having the table let down and let up and let down and let up an infinite number of times, or me saying "No! Stop that! Don't! No more!" infinity plus one. ContinuedMore »
7/17: Put a sympathetic behind in front of your child's airplane seat.
Make sure that the person in that seat your child is kicking is not a stranger in need of apology but a member of your own party. ContinuedMore »
7/20: Bring your routine along on vacation.
Help your family find some vacation middle ground by recreating as much of your child's normal experience as possible when you're in abnormal places. ContinuedMore »
7/21: Tired of the umbrella dance? Try a poncho instead.
You know the dance -- you try walking with a hyperactive or sensory-processing-impaired kiddo in the pouring rain, bobbing and weaving to keep the umbrella over a little head that's determined to go its own way. ContinuedMore »
7/22: Give messy eaters a dinner-plate time-out.
Your child is more likely to hear your warnings, clean up, and take up the fork again if the return of food depends on it. ContinuedMore »
7/23: Choose your dinner-table battles.
When getting food into the child is the top priority, table manners is a battle you may well choose to lose. ContinuedMore »
7/24: Change your behavior to change your child's.
Often, when children with special needs act up, it's a direct result of something going on in their environment, whether it's overstimulation or routine changes, difficult transitions or situations to which their neurological makeup is not well-suited. ContinuedMore »
7/27: Use Your Child's Obsessions to Motivate Good Behavior
When you're looking for something to motivate your child to do homework, finish a chore, or maintain good behavior, turn to the thing he's already telling you excites and drives him -- the object or subject he's obsessed with. ContinuedMore »
7/28: Do a Therapy Check-Up
Are those therapy sessions you truck your child to all through the week still working for you? ContinuedMore »