Connie Hammer

A Diagnosis of Autism: Making Adjustments to Manage Feelings of Loss and Grief

Having a child with a disability is every parent's nightmare. Once you have heard the words, "Your child has Autism." the disappointment, anger and the feeling of isolation can leave you in shock. How long you remain there will be determined by how well you deal with your emotions. Disappointment, anger and self-pity are natural feelings to have when you first receive a... (posted by Connie 13 days 2 hours ago.)

Responding to Difficult Behaviors With a Different Approach to Time Out

All children want to be good and please their caretakers . Young children don't PLAN to misbehave or fall apart. When a child has an emotional meltdown it signals they are having trouble controlling their emotions, especially when the demands of the environment exceed their current ability to cope. Handling emotional outbursts may seem daunting yet there are many proactive things... (posted by Connie 27 days 6 hours ago.)

Am I Spoiling My Child With Autism or Pushing Too Much?

We all want to be confident that we are doing our best as parents but confidence can be difficult to maintain when our well intentioned friends and relatives sometimes judge us to be too demanding or too indulging where our children are concerned. Their declarations and suggestions come from the non-Autistic world - a perspective that has limited knowledge of raising a child with Autism and... (posted by Connie 43 days 7 hours ago.)

The Power of Positive Self-Talk for Kids With Autism

What type of messages do you think are going on inside your child's mind? Children with special needs such as Autism will intuitively grasp that they are different and pick up on the less than positive judgments from others - however subtle they may be. Do you pay attention to that voice inside your head? I am not talking about auditory hallucinations here. I am referring to the things we say to... (posted by Connie 54 days 15 hours ago.)

Reducing Bathroom Battles When Potty Training Your ASD Child

Potty training a normal, healthy child can propel any parent into a state of anxiety, overwhelm and exhaustion. Now let's consider what potty training is like for a parent when their child is on the Autism spectrum? A child with Autism may have sensory issues that get in the way or they may not even understand what it means to use the potty. Here are some things to consider when potty... (posted by Connie 70 days 3 hours ago.)

A Successful Transition to Adulthood for My Child With Autism

All parents worry about their child's future. Many of us wonder what our children will be like when they grow up. Will they go to college, join the military, find a good job and be financially independent? Will they have healthy relationships and become parents themselves? Are the concerns of a parent of a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) any different? Except for some young... (posted by Connie 82 days 10 hours ago.)