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Nurturing Self-Esteem in Autistic Children

Help for parents, caregivers, and therapists

Autism
Are Social Stories for Autistic Children Effective?

Bozena Zawisz MA on October 17, 2024

Social stories can be powerful tools that parents can utilize to help expand a child's understanding of a situation, or help them master a task.

Social stories can be powerful tools that parents can utilize to help expand a child's understanding of a situation, or help them master a task.

Is it autism or another diagnosis?
Autism
Is It Autism or Another Diagnosis?

Bozena Zawisz MA on July 18, 2024

Parents can be unaware that there are many conditions that, at face value, share common characteristics with autism.

Parents can be unaware that there are many conditions that, at face value, share common characteristics with autism.

The role of the amygdala in the relevance detection theory of autism.
Autism
Autism and the Brain

Bozena Zawisz MA on June 16, 2024

Amygdala relevance detection theory sheds light on why individuals focus their attention on aspects of their inner experience and environment in unique ways.

Amygdala relevance detection theory sheds light on why individuals focus their attention on aspects of their inner experience and environment in unique ways.

Are autistic children less socially motivated?
Autism
Are Children With Autism Less Socially Motivated?

Bozena Zawisz MA on April 18, 2024

It is important that caregivers and educators not make inferences about the social motivation of children with autism from how they perceive their nonverbal cues.

It is important that caregivers and educators not make inferences about the social motivation of children with autism from how they perceive their nonverbal cues.

Vagus Nerve
How the Polyvagal Theory Inspired My Parenting

Bozena Zawisz MA on February 2, 2024

Polyvagal theory inspires an appreciation of the impact of my nonverbal cues and emotional practices on nurturing cues of safety and calm in my children.

Polyvagal theory inspires an appreciation of the impact of my nonverbal cues and emotional practices on nurturing cues of safety and calm in my children.

Navigating communication differences between autistic and neurotypical persons
Autism
Navigating Communication Differences for Autistic Persons

Bozena Zawisz MA on December 20, 2023

Using the metaphor of the poem "Welcome to Holland," we can better understand challenges in communication between autistic and neurotypical individuals.

Using the metaphor of the poem "Welcome to Holland," we can better understand challenges in communication between autistic and neurotypical individuals.

Mindfulness
Why Caregivers of Autistic Children Need Mindfulness

Bozena Zawisz MA on November 17, 2023

Mindfulness enables parents to stay receptive to discovering how their children experience the world, what they need, and how their environment can better support them.

Mindfulness enables parents to stay receptive to discovering how their children experience the world, what they need, and how their environment can better support them.

Autism
Autism and Alexithymia

Bozena Zawisz MA on July 15, 2023

For a subgroup of autistic population, alexithymia is associated with emotional processing challenges, which, in turn, is associated with higher rates of mental health diagnoses.

For a subgroup of autistic population, alexithymia is associated with emotional processing challenges, which, in turn, is associated with higher rates of mental health diagnoses.

Autism
Harnessing the Power of Positive Reinforcement

Bozena Zawisz MA on May 25, 2023

Positive reinforcement is an evidence-based intervention for children on the autism spectrum, and a foundational strategy for supporting your loved ones' goals.

Positive reinforcement is an evidence-based intervention for children on the autism spectrum, and a foundational strategy for supporting your loved ones' goals.

Autism
What Impacts Autistic Children's Learning?

Bozena Zawisz MA on May 7, 2023

Perspectives on how neurodiverse individuals learn are shifting away from a deficiency model to embrace the appreciation of environmental factors.

Perspectives on how neurodiverse individuals learn are shifting away from a deficiency model to embrace the appreciation of environmental factors.

Autism
Sensory Downtime: Autism and Auditory Processing

Bozena Zawisz MA on April 22, 2023

Autistic children demonstrate many strengths and challenges associated with auditory processing, and they benefit from environmental adjustments such as sensory breaks.

Autistic children demonstrate many strengths and challenges associated with auditory processing, and they benefit from environmental adjustments such as sensory breaks.

Autism
What Is Monotropism?

Bozena Zawisz MA on March 31, 2023

Monotropism, an orientation of attention that focuses on a narrow range of interests, is a helpful schema that offers insight into many aspects of autistic children’s lives.

Monotropism, an orientation of attention that focuses on a narrow range of interests, is a helpful schema that offers insight into many aspects of autistic children’s lives.

Autistic Children’s Visions For Their Future
Autism
Autistic Children’s Visions for Their Futures

Bozena Zawisz MA on March 16, 2023

Many parents would like greater consideration of their autistic children’s interests and visions for their futures to make their learning journeys more meaningful.

Many parents would like greater consideration of their autistic children’s interests and visions for their futures to make their learning journeys more meaningful.

Autism
Autism and Theory of Mind

Bozena Zawisz MA on March 4, 2023

The theory of mind includes abilities such as insight into other people’s intentions, understanding of the underlying rules for interactions, and reading implicit body language.

The theory of mind includes abilities such as insight into other people’s intentions, understanding of the underlying rules for interactions, and reading implicit body language.

Mindfulness
Can Mindfulness Interventions Support Autistic Children?

Bozena Zawisz MA on February 19, 2023

Research into mindfulness interventions for autistic children shows positive preliminary results across many areas, like anger management and behavioral functioning.

Research into mindfulness interventions for autistic children shows positive preliminary results across many areas, like anger management and behavioral functioning.

Autism
Autism and School Readiness

Bozena Zawisz MA on February 5, 2023

Profiles are effective communication tools for parents of autistic children and offer insights into the underlying variables that shape their children's behavior.

Profiles are effective communication tools for parents of autistic children and offer insights into the underlying variables that shape their children's behavior.

Autism
3 Supportive Attitudes for Coping With Meltdowns

Bozena Zawisz MA on January 21, 2023

Despite the relevance of meltdowns to parents of children on the autism spectrum, research into meltdowns is limited, especially around supporting parents with constructive coping.

Despite the relevance of meltdowns to parents of children on the autism spectrum, research into meltdowns is limited, especially around supporting parents with constructive coping.