During the day, children spend most of their day playing, usually with people and objects around them. These seemingly simple moments are important, because play helps children to build new skills, practice skills they have already mastered, invent creative ways to play, and practice social skills. However, children with autism may have a different way of playing than their peers …

We grow up hearing the importance of “beauty sleep” or a “cat nap,” but a good night’s rest is often challenging for children with sensory processing disorder. Children with sensory processing disorder may experience hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to sensory input, so they experience stimuli in the world differently that other people. This might mean that the clothing tag on pajamas …

The human brain is incredibly complex, and this is especially true in examining how autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects brain development and learning in children. In a therapeutic preschool program, there may be multiple children with autism in the classroom, so it is important for the teachers and therapists to remember that autism occurs on a spectrum and affects every …

If you are a parent to young children, you know that snacks and mealtime can be challenging for little ones. If your child has problems with eating, it can be challenging to know whether the problems require additional intervention. If your child experiences developmental delays, including feeding challenges, then they may benefit from a therapeutic preschool program that provides support …

Planning a routine in a therapeutic preschool program can be a difficult task. There is a great diversity of learners in any classroom, and this is especially true in a therapeutic program where many children have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), sensory processing issues, or other developmental delays. One activity that benefits nearly all children in a therapeutic preschool program is …

Nonverbal communication is a pivotal skill for children to develop in a therapeutic preschool program. When a child understands and communicates through non-verbal language, they can interpret the thoughts, feelings, desires, and interests of others. With this skill, they can also use gestures, eye contact, and other nonverbal communication to communicate their needs with classmates and teachers. Nonverbal communication is …

Have you ever thought of finger painting or crayon doodles as being a pivotal part of early childhood development? If your answer is ‘no,’ take a moment to see if we can change your mind. As children are progressing through stages of early childhood development, it is important to expose them to many different skills, including art. While some may …

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience sensory processing issues, which means that these children experience sensory input in a way that differs from children who are typically developing. If children with sensory issues or autism is enrolled in a therapeutic preschool program, it is important for their instructors to take the time to identify the unique concerns of …

It may seem counterintuitive to have a child learning to feed themselves play with food. However, if a child experiences sensory issues involving feeding, playing with food can be a highly effective strategy. If a child is enrolled in a therapeutic preschool program, they may receive feeding therapy as a part of their daily routine in the classroom, particularly if …

Therapeutic preschool programs provide support with key developmental skills for young children, which can benefit any child. The additional support in this type of program may be especially beneficial for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), sensory processing disorder, or other developmental delays. Since children with autism also often experience sensory issues, a therapeutic preschool program might emphasize sensory integration …