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Dec 22, 16 •
919 Views •
Local Resources, Newsroom •
Karen Krejcha •
1 Comment
Features include: Martial Arts and Autism • Striving for Disability Equity • Special Celebrations • Advocating for Community Inclusion • A Literary Hero for All Abilities • Holiday Travel • Dear Spectrums Readers – Annual Appeal • From...
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Dec 15, 16 •
1139 Views •
Local Resources, Newsroom •
Karen Krejcha •
Comments Off on From Surviving to Thriving with Jonathan Chase
From Surviving to Thriving by Karen Krejcha – Jonathan Chase is well-known and respected in the Portland metro area for being an advocate, educational consultant and mentor to youth and young adults on the autism spectrum. A bit of a Renaissance man,...
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Sep 26, 16 •
2080 Views •
Local Resources, Newsroom •
Karen Krejcha •
Comments Off on AWEtism We Embrace Support Group
By Shasti McLaughlin – A new kind of autism support group respecting the diversity of the human spectrum relaunched in Portland, Oregon in September 2016 and it’s free to attend! AWEtism We Embrace (AWE) is a facilitated support group for...
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Sep 22, 16 •
866 Views •
Local Resources, Newsroom •
Karen Krejcha •
Comments Off on From The Publisher – Spectrums Magazine Fall 2016
Features include: Autism “Rocks” – Pokemon Go Trainers Catch Autism Acceptance – Bullying Prevention – Helping Teachers Understand Your Child – Awetism We Embrace – Letting Go of “Normal” – Voting...
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Jun 10, 16 •
2029 Views •
Local Resources, Newsroom •
Karen Krejcha •
4 Comments
Dads helping Dads – Finding resources and programs for men by John Krejcha – When it comes to autism-related parenting resources, there are many blogs, books, support groups, websites and forums dedicated toward moms. Parenting resources in...
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Jun 8, 16 •
1207 Views •
Local Resources, Newsroom •
Karen Krejcha •
Comments Off on Dear Spectrums Magazine Readers
This is a copy of the welcome letter from Editor, Karen Krejcha that was published on pages 6 and 7 in the Summer 2016 issue of Spectrums Magazine. In April 2016, Spectrums Magazine was acquired by Autism Empowerment and became a nonprofit program of the...
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Nov 11, 15 •
1282 Views •
Local Resources •
Courtney Freitag •
Comments Off on Online Safety Checklist
Keeping kids and teens safe online is a must in our technology-based society. We have a handy checklist to share with the internet users in your home. Click here to download the PDF.  ...
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May 20, 15 •
1612 Views •
Local Resources •
Courtney Freitag •
Comments Off on Follow up: Facilitating Communication
By Joanna Blanchard, MOTR/L “Ask the OT” recently received a follow up question about the column: “Why is My Child So Cranky After School?” which brought up some great questions about facilitating communication. (Details and names have been edited...
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Dec 16, 14 •
2541 Views •
Local Resources •
Courtney Freitag •
Comments Off on At-home sensory space for teens
By Joanna Blanchard, MOTR/L Last month we explored ideas for children to find sensory input in the home. Here are some strategies for self-regulation to help teens during times of stress, transitions, homework or down times. By this age, your child may be...
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Nov 4, 14 •
1993 Views •
Local Resources •
Courtney Freitag •
Comments Off on Setting up a home sensory space
By Joanna Blanchard, MOTR/L Buying and finding space for sensory equipment at home can be daunting, but every space has potential. As the weather turns us indoors, here are some ideas. What to get: Before you buy, decide where it will go. How to Use...
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Aug 18, 14 •
1676 Views •
Local Resources •
Courtney Freitag •
Comments Off on Let Go or Be Dragged (Attributed to a Zen proverb)
By Joanna Blanchard As our youngest child gets ready to attend middle school in the fall, I want to post and re-post this video until everyone sees it and internalizes it: Ethan and I put this together one day, years ago when he was home sick in the third...
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Apr 22, 14 •
1677 Views •
Local Resources •
Courtney Freitag •
Comments Off on What can Occupational Therapy do for my child?
Q: What can Occupational Therapy do for my child? A: Occupational therapy uses meaningful and purposeful activity (or “occupations”) to help people achieve optimal quality of life. Pediatric occupational therapy practice specializes in the occupations and...
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Mar 10, 14 •
2160 Views •
Local Resources •
Courtney Freitag •
Comments Off on Exercise and increasing activity levels for sensory kids
By Joanna Blanchard MOTR/L Have you ever wondered, “Just how many more repetitions of that same obstacle course does he really need? What is this doing for him?” while watching your child’s occupational therapy session? It is likely your OT is working...
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Jan 5, 14 •
8648 Views •
Local Resources •
Courtney Freitag •
1 Comment
Q: Why does my child seem so tired and cranky after school and how should I respond? A: Many parents are frustrated when, after a typical day of school, their child is cranky or has a huge meltdown at home. His teachers report everything is fine during the...
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Oct 1, 13 •
4450 Views •
Local Resources •
Courtney Freitag •
Comments Off on Strategies for Self-regulation
Q: Why does my child constantly want to chew on things/pick his nose/put his hands in his pants? A: These are often ways children find to effectively self-regulate and soothe themselves. Many kids on the Autism spectrum are professionals at self-regulation...