Many of us hope our child will excel in sports, as participating in sports activities in the community is a crucial aspect of child development. For example, I once aspired for my child to play in the NHL. However, it soon became apparent that this…

      Dancing. Swimming. Riding a bike. There are many gross motor skills that we take for granted as adults. Children have to learn the basics and slowly refine. For children with autism, sometimes even the fundamentals can pose a challenge. This is where…

      No matter what you do in life—be it your occupation, or your day-to-day interactions in the community—it is going to involve working around other people. The soft skills surrounding how to effectively navigate around these other humans are invaluable, lifelong lessons. Children…

Transitioning between activities can be challenging, particularly when moving from the classroom to recess, which can be highly stimulating. There are strategies to support children in feeling comfortable during this shift. Allow the child to go out five minutes earlier. This time can be used…

      If you have a child with autism, deciding on where you will send them to school is an important decision. There are many pros and cons to weigh depending on whether you were thinking of an inclusive education or a specialized school.…

    There are visual learners, auditory learners, and students that learn by doing. Every child is different in how they process new information. This difference, however, is magnified in children with autism. Teaching children with autism requires a lot of patience and understanding. One…

      Threading a needle isn’t as easy as it looks. At least not for a kid. Neither is shuffling a deck of cards, or tying your shoelaces. It all takes practice. And at one point all of us had to learn these fine…

    It’s a big deal when a child learns to make their own breakfast, even if it’s just a bowl of cereal. The first time you see your child put their own laundry through, it will make your heart sing. Encouraging independence in children…

  We all need to stand up for ourselves now and again. As an adult this takes some moxie. Yet, we have a lifetime of practice. Children, especially teenagers, are a little less prepared. They need to learn some of these self-advocacy skills themselves. For…

Is your child held back in life by their shyness or reluctance to interact with others? It’s not uncommon amongst children with neurodivergence. Monarch House offers social skills programs for children with autism in a structured environment so they can develop essential interpersonal abilities. Working…