Sweet Treats for Children with Autism

Birthday parties and Halloween can be tough for your child when it comes to candy; here are some helpful alternatives.

It is a known fact that most individuals with autism present an over or under response tendensie to sensory input. This quirk is called hypo/hyper-responsiveness (depending on the case), and it includes a child’s response to the flavor, smell and texture he perceives from food.

In this order of ideas, these particular cases either avoid or crave for very specific flavors, food textures and even colors. In some cases, a child might want to eat from only certain food groups, such as grains or dairy.

Some are fixed to certain food types, such as pasta or bread or sweets, which are the center of this particular article.

These doses of sweetness provide a powerful sensory input that many children would crave for. This craving can be even more powerful for an individual affected by autism.

The inclusion of sweets in an ASD child’s diet

It is important for your child to venture out of the sweet comfort zone, Autism Soccer suggests exploring healthier alternatives to provide the sensory input and properly nurturing the body. The key for this lies on creativity and patience.

Here are some of the alternatives we have lined up for you and your child:

1. The crunchy texture of cereals is appealing to some, but they contain way too much sugar. Make it healthier by crushing it to make a crumb powder. Sprinkle it on a more nutritive alternative such as an unsweetened cereal or homemade porridge or oatmeals. This will provide the specific input while introducing a healthier option.

2. There are some children fixated on carbonated drinks like soda. For this, try flavoring plain carbonated water (that doesn’t contain sugar) with natural fruit juice for a healthier, less sugary option.

Another practical option is to freeze some fruit juice in ice cube trays and put a few of the resulting fruity cubes in a cup of fresh sparkling water. The final product’s temperature of ice cubes helps soothe your child’s oral sensory cravings.

3. Who doesn’t love milkshakes? Homemade milkshakes are another tactic for providing nutrition with a healthy and so necessary touch of sweetness. Try blending some fruit or a sweet vegetable (go for carrots one day) with low-sugar yogurt or even ice cream.

4. Here’s a useful one: Use straws, they make it look all more appealing and offer an extra sensory input. Get your child a crazy-shaped straw with his/her next milkshake or juice-sweetened seltzer.

5. As odd as it sounds, freshly cooked vegetables provide a kick of unexpected sweetness. Slice sweet potatoes into strips and bake them for a sweet snack that’s also crunchy in texture. When in season, you might try sweet peas in the shell or some sliced zucchini, sweet and texturized..

6. For some children, cake is a must. Trick him and bake him a low-sugar version of zucchini, banana or carrot bread. If you add applesauce to the batter for extra sweetness and softer texture, al the better.

Here at Autism Soccer, we take into consideration all aspects of a healthy child’s life and make into useful, practical and educating articles for you; so don’t hesitate into writing your comments and questions in the section below, as well as following us on our social networking.

There are some sweet and tasty alternatives for special occasions to treat your child without spoiling the fun for them.

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5 Books Your Children Should Be Reading

In the process of growing up, children need to get the proper help in order to improve their imagination and further development of skills.

The development of children is something very delicate, and three important things should be present to assure their proper growth. No matter the condition or place they’re born in, these important aspects should be: the love parents give to them, teaching the proper values and manners for them to grow as responsible adults and help them develop imagination, as it is even more important than knowledge itself.

Both special needs children or not can get a lot of benefits from imagination, as it creates a door to knowledge and intellectual development in their brains. Reading in early stages of growth is highly beneficial for kids: you can check the benefits by reading here.

As the title says, here are the five books your children should be reading now, they will love reading them and will also improve their imagination:

The Harry Potter Series, by J. K Rowling

Not mentioning this series of books would be a mistake. Joanne “Jo” Rowling managed to create a magical world of wonders around a little boy who discovers he is a wizard. There’s no doubt these books will be excellent for your children. Keep in mind that the first books are for kids between 6-9 years.

The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

This book, first published in 1943, is a beautiful short novel and a classic among readers from all ages. The Little Prince is a tale about a young prince who lives in a tiny asteroid, who decides to leave in search for answers. This book is so unique that both you and your children can learn from reading this book.

A Journey to the Center of the Earth, by Jules Verne

The title itself says it all. Most of Jules Verne’s books have been adapted to movies, and there’s a reason for that: he created such fictional and yet successful stories, making him so popular among young readers. This book has been adapted for children, and there are many illustrative versions of it for kids who are just starting to read.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll

Commonly known as Alice in Wonderland, this is also another timeless classic book. The story is about a girl named Alice, a girl who falls through a rabbit hole to end up in a fantasy world. This book stimulates children positively, immersing them in this beautiful fantasy book.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, by Roald Dahl

There’s a reason for this book to be on almost every list that adults read as being children: the story of a kid who lives in poverty that manages to win a ticket to visit the wondrous Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. This book is both a lesson in humility and love with a unique story for children to fantasize with, so it's a must.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, imagination is “the act of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality.” With the help of books, this can be easily achieved, and you just have to choose the one that fits your children the most. With cognitive growth, there should also be physical development to compensate and stimulate that first process. Autism Soccer offers the best alternative for growth in special needs children, so get in touch with them to start playing in the best environment for them.

Reading also creates a positive habit for children, creating interest and a positive opening towards books.

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How to Become a Cyber-Parent

Checking on blogs and social media about what's common is a way to stay updated about the tendencies in young children.

In order to keep a safe control of what your children are doing, you must be vigilant and prepared. Being a parent is letting your children know that they’ll be okay and no matter what happens, you’ll be there for them. There are some things that might go out of your hands somehow, like the internet and how your children interact with it.

To be able to keep up with the way internet works, you need to stay informed of how young children use it and which networks they tend to use. Also, you must watch out for strangers on the internet that might want to take advantage of your children’s disabilities.

The point of doing this is to watch over your children and make sure they’re not accessing inappropriate websites or exposing on the internet. There’s a limit for this too, you can be logged in at all times. Talk with them before allowing the access on the internet: explain the risks of the internet, how he must stay out of risks. You’re a parent, not a security camera, and you must trust your children in this.

A parent who knows how to navigate through the internet will be able to find information to stay updated about special needs children. It’s important to investigate everything you can to be prepared for anything that might happen related to your children’s autism. It’s not necessary to be an expert in computers: with basic knowledge of how the internet runs, you have it covered.

With the internet as your tool, you have a positive tool for helping your children out when they need it. But try not to rely too much on this, as most of the information could be false and mislead you into making a mistake. Remember to look for the experts in the matter to get assistance if you feel lost. You can count on the experts of Autism Soccer, to make your children forget about the internet for a while and practice some sports. Contact them for more information.

Allow them to have their space on the internet, they're children and their identity must be developed in order to have a solid self-esteem.

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What Makes you a Great Parent

Regardless of what you might feel, the truth is that you are an amazing parent. 

Parenting is not an easy job. After all, you are raising another human being to turn into a grown-up and a highly adapted person, while also being trustworthy and their closest friend. Sometimes, it looks like an impossible feat. After all, there are many people out there who are basically super parents that make it look impossibly easy, those who manage to raise kids, be confident, present and basically all that seems unachievable without extra hours in the day. And if by any chance you are feeling a bit horrified by the idea of being a bad parent, this is the article for you.  

First things first: You are more than average, you are a great parent for your child. After all, you are taking the time to find out more about them every day. And being present is also incredibly powerful for them. While sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming, parenting not only changes your routines, it also changes who you are as a person. Your priorities shift, and sometimes your brain decides how to face those challenges with your child's’ best interest in mind without it being a conscious decision. That’s great parenting!

But sometimes, you need to scold them and be the figure of power in your children's lives. Tears, chaos, and tantrums are part of this process. Your child might feel offended, personally affronted by your negative to comply to their bidding, but you are the adult and you know better. This doesn't have to be a reason to feel bad, after all, you know that’s right in the end. Don’t be so harsh on yourself! Remember that a stone in your path does not define you, and if your child feels like every other child, in their adulthood they’ll understand why you did what you did. If you think by any chance that you are being a bad parent at any moment, remember that you are helping your child go through life at their own pace. And regardless of the emotions they might feel at the spur of the moment, you are an integral part of their world and they love you deeply.

Forget those notions of perfection, as you are as unique as your child. Facing the world in your terms is the best way to ensure a healthy relationship between you and your child. Just make sure to take the time to participate and be involved in their lives, especially when it comes to having fun. One of those alternatives are sports, activities they will enjoy and feel connected to. This will fuel their social skills and will increase their interest in things that will make them understand why you take the actions you take, making both of you grow integrally.

And if you are a parent of a special child, then Autism Soccer is the right place for you. In there, your child can experience wonderful memories, while you can be a part of those memories in a great and interactive setting. Remember to be a part of their lives, and boosting their interest in the rest of the world with the help of the right people.

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Children see their parents as their heroes. Think about that every day.

How to Explain Special Conditions to Other Parents

For parents of a child with special needs, one of the hardest things to do is explaining their child's condition to other parents. This happens because of many things that might interfere with the perception that others have regarding the situation of these children. It’s important for other people to understand how the condition not only affects the child but also everyone around them in the close environment of their home, as well as their community. To take the charge of that fact and assume the role of their child's advocate is hard work.

These children rarely have the chance to show others how they feel and what makes their condition different, that’s why for their parents explaining the situation to other parents it’s important. Why? It often sets the behavior of these special kids, as adults explain to them how they are unique and should be respected. It also helps them showcase their children in the best light, not making them the target of jokes, but instead, a learning experience for others. Parenting, in this case, is vital, as it makes the difference between a well-adapted kid with a special condition and a child that’s bullied and it’s not a part of the environment in the activities outside their home.

Here you have some advice on how to make explanations easier for parents of children with special needs:

Be positive: Let others know that although their condition is a challenge some days, you take it as a great experience and a unique moment in your life. That positivity sets their behavior towards your child in a better way.

Explain it simply: Yes, your child might have a thousand little medical conditions, but for parents that are not well-versed in the medical terminology, the simple explanation works better to make them understand your child.

Portray them in a good light: Once again, the way you talk about your child's condition is going to be the main factor that other people are going to consider when processing that information. Talk about your child in a good way, and good reactions will come.

Be proactive: When explaining what your child goes through, make sure to set them into action. Whether by inviting them to a talk if they show special interest, or introducing them to your child. Remember that you are their advocate!

Shake away the fear: Feeling guilt, remorse, failure, and such emotions might come to a parent of a child with special needs, but don’t let that stop you from showing others the wonders of your child. Don’t be afraid, the world is harsh but you can accomplish everything with a good attitude.

Show correct behaviors: Some children react strongly to other people, so when you are explaining their condition to other parents, it's a good idea to tell them about behaviors that are correct when it comes to interacting with your child.

What are you doing to let other parents know how you feel when it comes to your child? Remember that you are their first line of defense against the world and with your help, they can happily be a part of it. Some organizations bring together parents as well as children, helping kids reach out to others in similar conditions by sharing their unique stories. One of those is Autism Soccer, an organization that’s inclusive for both adults and children. Visit their website to know more about their initiative!

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Children’s Games: How to Make Exercise Fun

Create routines that feel like games for your children.

Children need to get sufficient exercise time per day in order to help their bodies develop and grow healthily. It boosts their self-esteem while also making happy hormones flow through their bodies, improving their mood and regulating their energy levels, helping them burn all that extra bit that gets them on edge when they are spending too much time without activity. But sometimes, getting them involved in said exercise takes more than just the experience of it. That’s why I would like to suggest some activities to make it fun for them.

How to make it fun?

For children, games are the ways of getting the most fun out of their normal experiences. That’s why helping them feel the joy of exercise is vital for them to create that healthy habits, and to see physical activity as an opportunity to have fun. For children, it’s vital to create routines that are both creatively exciting and interesting in order to make it a part of their daily lives.

Create games with it: Turning physical activity into games is part of what makes gymnastics fun for children. When you want to take those ideas into your home, use your creativity to transform a normal routine into a pirate game, or a scavenger hunt. Turn it into an exciting activity.

Put on some music: Music it’s great to make people want to move. Incorporate music into sports or exercise and you’ll see how your child will feel more comfortable right away. Make sure it is to his liking and set it the volume so that you can speak with each other comfortably.

Bring friends into the game: Making it an activity for a group of children is also a great way to make it comfortable for them. It also creates a sense of community that you would rarely achieve without games in the mix.

Make it a family event: Bring the rest of the members of the family into the mix. Why? This makes for a great activity to cement bonds between the members of a household, while also helping them reach a better health.

Use a dance-off: Dancing it’s a great way to do exercise. If you use music that has a great beat, you can coordinate movements to stretch and do physical activity in a fun way.

When you are the parent of a child with special needs, you have to think of ways to make their activities fun. It’s important to generate the necessary interest in them for the physical exercise to turn into a part of their day to day routine. One of those alternatives is Autism Soccer, a great option for creating a lasting bond with sports in a fun and unique way for children. Contact them now and see how you can participate with them!

Exercise doesn't have to be painful for children.

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How to do Physical Therapy at home

You have to know how to help your children get the necessary physical therapy. 

There are many situations in life when people need to do therapy. It is a way of recovering from certain traumas, both physical and psychological. Therapy uses tools and teaches us how to deal with the things that affect us. We can use it to learn to overcome obstacles that may come our way and to move on and live life to the fullest. There are different types of therapy, each specialized in a particular problem but each of these problems can have various ways of approaching them and tackling them. Many different things are considered therapeutic: some people prefer counseling, letting your feelings out and speaking with someone, some prefer working with animals, visiting different places, or working with a physiotherapist.

Therapy can be used to work on all sorts of problems. There's social therapy for people with anxiety and problems socializing with others. There's physical therapy for those who have suffered some kind of injury, and require help to get their mobility back. There's language therapy, learning skills therapy, psychological therapy, etc.

Most people think that in order to get therapy they need to go to a specific place like a health center or a school. But the truth is that there is also the possibility of doing therapy at home. There are plenty of specialists who will drive to a person's home to help them, and there are many benefits to this, as therapists are professionals specialized in helping others to become fully functional people again. Being at home creates a sense of comfort due to the familiar environment and the presence of family members. In some cases, home therapy is actually better than going to a Health Center. People with anxiety and socialization skills will do much better when they receive this help in a place that they feel comfortable in. Being in a safe place allows them to open up and makes the whole process a lot faster and more efficient. Some people just prefer to do therapy at home since they don't need to go through all the trouble of traveling from one place to another and then back. The Specialist to hire can help you by using the furniture in your house, they can help around with chores and be an extra pair of hands to help around.

We have all heard the phrase “There's no place like home” and there's a reason for that, and I don't mean the movie. Home is where we are most comfortable in, is where we feel the safest. It is where we want to be at the end of the day. Physical therapy is all about regaining strength and getting back to a healthy state of being, there's no place better to do that than home. For the kids of Autism Soccer, physical therapy, after any kind of injury playing sports, it's always better when it's done at home. These kids react better when they are in a familiar and comfortable place. They don't really like it when they have to visit new and strange places. Contact them now!

Pair physical therapy with another type of exercise, such as a sport. For example, soccer or yoga.

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