For many children, scissor use emerges as a typical developmental milestone as early as age two. For Michael, this skill didn’t take shape until he was four. Yet, within months, he not only grasped it but mastered it. For me, his ability to use scissors signifies far more than

Michael is undoubtedly the biggest Pig fan! It’s a show I’ve come to appreciate as well, not only because he enjoys it so much, but also because its gentle, relatable storylines and simple language make it ideal for his learning. Peppa Pig content offers countless opportunities

This year, we went trick-or-treating in our community. With Michael being one of only 4 children in the neighborhood, the entire community still came together to celebrate the children with warmth and kindness. It was heartwarming to see neighbors gathering to prepare special

Here’s a quick update on Michael’s progress in theater class! He’s getting more comfortable with the routines and group dynamics, showing better focus and engagement during activities. He’s also starting to follow directions more independently, relying more on visual cues from

Here’s a progress update on Michael’s speech and ASL finger spelling of the alphabet. He’s continuing to make strides in both areas, showing increased engagement during our spontaneous interactions. His speech progress is marked by clearer attempts at producing sounds and

🛝We customized the indoor play gym for him—check the🔗 link under 👉🏻Brand Partners for the products we used to create it. 👑 Catch all the Exclusive Mini-Vlogs on the Subscribers’ Page. 📔eBook on Joint Attention & collection of activities, link in BIO 🔗 📔[NEW] eBook on a

To all my Korean/Asian followers who know what #Kpop Norebang is all about—it feels like those karaoke days were just yesterday… 🎤 I do miss those times every now and then, but I definitely don’t miss the late nights. These days, I’m all about going to bed at a reasonable hour!

Transitions have improved steadily over time. Some days are smoother than others, but overall, each passing year has brought noticeable progress. Communication and patience have been key to this growth. I make a conscious effort to avoid taking an authoritative approach to

To all the parents who’ve taken on the role of hairdresser out of necessity—raise your hand! I’ll be honest: if I were more skilled, I’d keep doing it for as long as possible. I’m probably one of the few adults who finds a trip to the salon to be more of a chore than a treat.

It’s crucial to distinguish between different types of screen time and understand that the impact on children depends on how and why screens are used. Not all screen time is inherently harmful—it is merely a tool, and its impact depends on how we use it. Educational content,

Just when I thought there couldn’t be any more milestones for the remainder of his fourth year, I am proud to say that Michael knows his ABCs at 4 years and 11 months old. This accomplishment is particularly special, marking a significant step in his language development. This

Through theater, Michael can engage in role-playing and experiment with various facial expressions and body language. This not only enhances his communication skills but also boosts his confidence and social interactions. His very first performance for the 🧜Little Mermaid Jr as

Problem-solving skills are primarily associated with the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain located at the front of the frontal lobe. This region is responsible for higher-order cognitive processes, including planning, decision-making, social behavior, and flexible

Understanding the purpose of doctor visits for Michael required much more consideration and creativity than for typical children, due to his language limitations in both comprehension and expression. We had to devise strategies that would make these visits less intimidating and

Breathing exercises have recently become a highly effective co-regulation strategy for Michael. We hadn’t introduced this well-known approach before because Michael lacked the imitation skills and motor control necessary for blowing air in and out. But now, we use it daily.

We’re experiencing so many incredible small but significant breakthroughs with Michael’s language development. Michael has always had a larger receptive vocabulary and understanding compared to his expressive abilities. However, determining the full scope of his receptive

Michael rarely has meltdowns or experiences extreme dysregulation. A significant reason for this is that his environment is carefully controlled and accommodated to keep him regulated and comfortable. Additionally, we continually practice challenging his comfort zones through

As an autism parent, the smallest basic interactions and communications become incredibly cherished milestones. Each gesture, word, or sign represents significant progress in a journey that often requires immense patience and dedication. When Michael makes eye contact, follows a

⚠️ If you've made it to the comments section, here are disclaimers for those who might not have anything more constructive to offer than negative remarks. ⚠️ This is a glimpse into our journey with my nonspeaking autistic son, documenting his progress, and offering insights for

For many witnessing Michael’s progress today, it's important to recognize that this development is the result of a long and dedicated effort in nurturing his ASL journey and continuously helping him build the necessary skills to effectively connect spoken language with sign