GPS Blog

  Consistent, good habits can contribute to a positive and healthy lifestyle. This is true for all people, but especially impactful for people with ASD. Committing to good habits will directly help with routines and as you may know, children with ASD feel more at ease when routines are practiced consistently. When children know what to expect, and thus feel less anxious, they are set up for success. Additionally, good habits will help children become more independent, as they can grow to rely on themselves and feel accomplished as a result. Here are GPS’ tips on how to build good habits, just in time for the new school year approaching! First step  A good place to start when evaluating what habits to strive for could be thinking about what areas your child needs more independence or help with. Perhaps it’s getting ready for school or bedtime, meals, tidying up after themselves, or doing homework. Once you decide what type of routine you want your child to build good habits for...

  Going on vacation may seem like an overwhelming task for families with ASD. A trip, full of new and unpredictable experiences, though exciting and fulfilling, may seem out of reach. While it may take a lot of work to manage a smooth, successful trip, it will certainly be worthwhile for kids with ASD to experience new things as well as overcome the challenges of travelling. Luckily, there are many resources, both anecdotal and expert advice, that can help support you in preparing for your big trip. Here are a few of GPS’ tips: Be in tune with your child’s needs and set realistic expectations The first step to taking a vacation is planning it. In the midst of planning for a trip, it is important to consider your child’s needs, likes and dislikes. Plan for plenty of breaks and rest in between activities. It may also be a good idea to have a planner on the trip - it will be useful to see your planned out activities visually, and to take notes of what worked and didn’t work. Most imp...