Resources
“Behaviorally challenging kids are challenging because they’re lacking the skills to not be challenging.”
― Ross W. Greene, The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children
I Can Do This!
– Additional Helpful Resources
Every child is capable of trying new things. This resource page is packed with links to research based articles, as well as tips and strategies for families and therapists to help their children take on challenges with confidence. There are also links to trusted websites that sell specialized equipment to help children with special needs achieve their goals, and additional websites that provide training for families in a wide variety of topics. Whether it's learning to swim, visiting the dentist, or mastering a new skill, we have tools to make the journey easier. Explore, learn, and grow—because with the right supports and tools, your child can say,
“I CAN DO THIS!”
Getting A Haircut Resources
Resources for Children With Special Needs, Limited Language, Or Anxiety:
Recommendations of things to do before the haircut: AutismSpeaks.org
Visuals (including a visual schedule) to support getting a haircut: AutismSpeaks.org
Ways to prepare your child and hairdresser for the appointment, and ways to support a successful haircut: BrightPathBehavior.com
Getting Nails Trimmed Resources
Resources for Children With Special Needs, Limited Language, Or Anxiety:
Social Story for Nail Trimming: TeachersPayTeachers.com
Craft activity for children to practice cutting nails: YouTube.com
Additional strategies for trimming your child’s nails: connect.humber.nhs.uk/
Free worksheets and lesson plans for older children to learn about nail hygiene and the importance of keeping nails clean: ALoveForSpecialLearning.com
Learning To Swim Resources
General Resources For Benefits of Swim:
The American Academy of Pediatrics has put together an article describing the benefits of swimming for all children: Healthychildren.org
This research paper from August 2023 highlights the benefits of swimming on motor skill development in children ages 3-11: NIH.gov
Not yet convinced to try swimming with your child? The SafeSplash Swim School has an article about the benefits of swim for children with special needs, and links to additional research-based articles about the benefits of swim for all children: Safesplash.com
Resources for Children With Special Needs, Limited Language, Or Anxiety:
The National Autism Association created a resource that lists water safety tips and recommendations for finding a swim class near you: NationalAutismAssociation.org
The Autism Society of America has created a program specifically to increase water safety education for children on the spectrum and their families. They provide some free resources and supports: AutismSociety.org
Need special equipment to take your child into the pool? This is a great resource for supplies for both children and adults: Especialneeds.com
Potty/Toilet Training Resources
General Resources for Potty Training:
Things to consider related to potty training: HeathyChildren.org
Strategies for potty training success, as well as signs that your child may be ready for potty training: zerotothree.org
Signs that your child may be ready for potty training: WhatToExpect.com
How to position on the toilet to help have a bowel movement: bbk.org.uk (Bladder and Bowel UK)
Strategies to help your children have a bowel movement on the toilet: ClevelandClinic.org
Interview of a pediatric urologist by renown author Janet Lansbury discussing the age to start potty training, and problems that can arise when trying to potty train too early: JanetLansbury.com
Resources For Children With Special Needs, Limited Language, Or Anxiety:
Encopresis- Withholding of bowl movements: ChildMindInstitute.com
Strategies For Children With Special Needs Who Refuse to Go Into The Bathroom: AutismSpeaks.com
Tips for potty training children with autism or limited language: AutismSpeaks.com
Wonderful resource for children who experience anxiety related to toileting: ERIC.org.uk
Very informative resource for children with sensory processing issues and how it can affect toilet training: bbk.org.uk (Bladder and Bowel UK)
How difficulties with sensory processing can manifest in toilet training and how to resolve them: ERIC.org.uk
Additional Resources
Picky Eating:
Solid Starts: This website is a wealth of knowledge about how to safely introduce solid foods to infants, how to create a positive food relationship, and how to decrease unwanted mealtime behaviors (throwing, demanding dessert, etc.). The website includes a database of almost any food you can think of and shows how to cut it/prepare it safely for a variety of age levels. The team behind Solid Starts includes: feeding therapists (occupational therapists), a pediatric gastroenterologist, an allergist, a nutritionist, and a speech-language pathologist.
Your Kids Table: Pediatric occupational therapists created this resource to support picky eating, meeting feeding milestones (drinking from a cup, using utensils, etc.), as well as supporting children with sensory processing issues. They offer courses, workshops and handouts for families and therapists.
Yummy Toddler Food: This resource was created by a recipe creator, cookbook author and mother of three children, who wanted to create place to provide recipes and strategies for feeding a family, especially with young children. She has many delicious recipes, and explains how to be mindful of eating healthy while understanding that meals need to be affordable, quick, and enticing for even a young palate!
Behavior Management:
Big Little Feelings: This website was created by two friends/moms with backgrounds as a parent coach and marriage and family therapist. They have created courses and resources to support families navigating common challenging topics in the toddler years (ex. picky eating, potty training, sleep issues, tantrums, etc.).
Good Inside: Dr. Becky Kennedy is the clinical psychologist behind this incredible resource. She has books, online courses, and an app to help families understand why their child might be having big, challenging behavior, and what to do about it.
Child Development:
Center for Disease Control (CDC): The CDC put together a list of developmental milestones for families to use when monitoring their child’s development. There is also an app to help families track their child’s milestones and ways to support healthy development.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): This the website created by the national association for speech-language pathologists/audiologists. It is packed with resources for families about speech/language milestones, as well as milestones related to feeding and swallowing.
Books to Consider: (As an Amazon Associate I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases)
Learning Through Play and Videos for Medical Procedures:
The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne: This hospital produced videos that show children what to expect in a variety of medical procedures and tests. For example there are videos demonstrating CT scans, x-rays, MRIs, audiological evaluations, and more.
The Butterfly Pig: A pediatric nurse created this online resource and shop to sell play-sized medical equipment to help children act out an upcoming medical procedure on a doll/stuffed animal to reduce stress and fear of the unexpected.
Get in Touch
Whether you have a question, an idea, or a story to share, please reach out to me.
I can’t wait to hear from you!