Tools for Supporting Challenges with Motivation Collection

This toolkit is designed to provide autistic persons and their families with an introduction to the 8 sensory systems, questions to help determine the individual’s most impacted sensory systems, and to give an overview of strategies to try at home. Additional resources, including an overview of professional treatment options, are provided along with recommended reading and websites.

This workshop provides information about our current scientific understanding of the brain and the issues that can contribute to sensory processing differences. Presenters explain the science, and viewers learn a variety of evidence-based strategies for families to try at home. This workshop aims to help improve sensory reactions and empower autistic individuals to manage their sensory experiences. This resource was developed in partnership with the Pacific Autism Family Network.

Summary: "Does your child exhibit... Over-responsivity--or under-responsivity--to touch or movement? A child with SPD may be a "sensory avoider," withdrawing from touch, refusing to wear certain clothing, avoiding active games--or he may be a "sensory disregarder," needing a jump start to get moving. Over-responsivity--or under-responsivity--to sounds, sights taste, or smell? She may cover her ears or eyes, be a picky eater, or seem oblivious to sensory cues. Cravings for sensation? The "sensory craver" never gets enough of certain sensations, e.g., messy play, spicy food, noisy action, and perpetual movement. Poor sensory discrimination? She may not sense the difference between objects or experiences--unaware of what she's holding unless she looks, and unable to sense when she's falling or how to catch herself. Unusually high or low activity level? The child may be constantly on the go--wearing out everyone around him--or move slowly and tire easily, showing little interest in the world. Problems with posture or motor coordination? He may slouch, move awkwardly, seem careless or accident-prone. These are often the first clues to Sensory Processing Difference--a common but frequently misdiagnosed problem in which the central nervous system misinterprets messages from the senses. The Out-of-Sync Child offers comprehensive, clear information for parents and professionals--and a drug-free treatment approach for children. This revised edition includes expanded information about SPD “look-alikes,” including Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and autism; about diagnosis and treatments; and about other topics."

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Summary: "Do you ever feel like your classroom is just too loud? Maybe it has too many noisy kids in it?! Or maybe you wish there were more colours on the walls? There is a reason you feel this way and it's all because of your eight (yes eight!) senses. In this workbook you will get to know all about your senses and a number of friendly animals along the way. Fun activities will help you pin down what sorts of smells, sounds, textures, tastes and movements you like, which you don't like and how much of these is too much. By completing the worksheets you'll learn all about sensory processing and what effect it can have on how you feel. Because by finding out for example, that you hate scratchy jumpers, but that the sounds of birds chirping really calms you down, you can find the right kind of sensory input to make you feel better when you need it most! And adult helpers - there is an instruction manual available for you to know exactly how to coach the child you are supporting, so you can both work together on making sense of your senses!"

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Summary: "Every teacher knows them - the students who are continuously balancing on their chair legs or who prefer to hide in their hoodies all day long. These students are using all kinds of tricks to be able to stay focused, as they are under- or overresponsive to sensory input and trying to restore their balance. Children who struggle with processing sensory input can experience a wide range of symptoms, including hypersensitivity to sound, sight and touch, poor fine motor skills and easy distractibility. Using this accessible, science-based guide, school staff can support these students by understanding their symptoms and how they impact their learning. Teachers can learn to look at students in a different way: through so-called 'SPi glasses', introduced in the book. With these glasses on, you learn to recognize behaviours linked to sensory processing and respond quickly, easily and with more understanding, without using a diagnosis, medication or therapy. The techniques provided help children feel settled and soothed at school, enabling them to learn and communicate better. Creating the perfect learning environment for all students - a sensory supportive classroom - this tried and tested guide is an essential tool for teachers (with or without prior knowledge of SPD), to better support and understand their students and their sensory needs."

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Summary: "Sensory needs are being recognised as a vital part of learning, development and engagement within the classroom and are being used more often to make education both accessible and fun. To harness the full potential of sensory supports, using these strategies correctly is key! This is the essential guide to using sensory strategies successfully with school children, from occupational therapist, Kim Griffin, who has 20 years of experience supporting sensory needs. As you make your way through the book, you will be joined by Isla and Noah, two children whose stories will help illustrate how information in the book can be used practically. In addition, the book includes personal anecdotes from Kim, links to further reading, reflective questions and teacher perspectives to show how a teacher might use the information in the classroom. These features will help you easily identify sensory needs and use sensory tools effectively."

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Summary: "Do you know a child who hates the feel of certain items of clothing? This is a child's perspective on a largely unrecognized condition called tactile defensiveness, a physical condition that causes hypersensitivity to certain touch sensations. Intended for adults and children to read together, the illustrated book explains reasons a child may become emotionally overwhelmed by daily routines such as putting on clothing, socks and shoes. The workbook format allows children to express and explore their own feelings through drawings or words, in order to explain their misunderstood behavior. A perfect book for children, families, teachers, therapists and other professionals dealing with tactile defensiveness suitable to be read with children aged 4 and above."

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Summary: "When your child dysregulates, half the battle is managing your own response. In the moment, you're at the mercy of many competing feelings: embarrassment, fear, panic, exhaustion. Being able to recognise your own triggers and behaviours in order to stay calm and provide the best support to your child, is not a skill that comes easily. Helping parents and carers to reflect on themselves, think about how they manage sensory meltdowns and give them some simple ideas on how to manage their own emotions in order to help their child, this is a short and simple guide for those that parent or care for a child with sensory needs, or a sensory processing disorder (SPD). Drawing on Porges' polyvagal theory, and using easy-to-follow animal analogies, this will empower parents to build empathy for their child, and themselves."

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The International Society for Autism Research (INSAR) is the largest autism research conference in the world. At this year's conference, the topic of motor skills difficulties in autism was explored by researchers from various fields. One presentation discussed the barriers to timely diagnosis and the long-term impact of motor issues for autistic adults. The second presentation discussed Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and the use of a screening tool in assessing autistic children for DCD. Links to useful screening tools are provided so individuals can bring their concerns regarding DCD to their doctor.

Summary: "In this fully revised third edition, Corinna Laurie sets out practical strategies to help autistic children develop their sensory and motor skills. Learn to identify possible challenges, recognise signs of overload and work in a co-productive way with your student or child, developing sensory regulation strategies and improving motor skills to aid well-being. The simple, low-cost activities provide practical solutions to help children meet the demands of any situation, building skills from handwriting and using scissors to improving posture, co-ordination and motor planning. Sensory strategies include calming techniques and simple environmental modifications to prevent overwhelm, among many others. Helping to improve functional abilities and enable children to thrive and build independence, this is an essential resource for anyone working with children on the autism spectrum."

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Summary: Summary: "In 1994, I was diagnosed with dyspraxia, and I was unable to do everything that children are expected to do by the time they're in school. For me, this included everything from riding a bike and catching a ball, to reading, writing, and basic math." When talking about her dyspraxia, Rosemary Richings is often met with confusion. Why do so few people understand dyspraxia, or even know what it is? Rosemary shares her experience of growing up dyspraxic, and how it impacts her sense of space, time and co-ordination. Diagnosed with DCD at the age of four, Rosemary shares her insights and experience dealing with challenges, from coping with bullies in school to choosing a dyspraxia-friendly university, pursuing self-employment and travelling abroad. Rosemary shares guidance for others about what helped her develop her skills, including ballet and gymnastics, the Wilbarger Protocol (brushing therapy) and equestrian therapy. Full of practical tips and insights into the strategies that gave Rosemary the confidence to succeed, this is an essential guide for other dyspraxics and those supporting them, which shows you how you too can thrive as a dyspraxic person."

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Summary: "With the help of this handy guide, you can bring tried and tested occupational therapy activities into your home and encourage your child to succeed with everyday tasks while having fun in the process. This expanded edition of the award-winning book includes new advice on toilet training, coping with changes in routine, repetitive behaviors, self-regulation and much more. The simple explanations and easy exercises will soon make daily activities enjoyable and productive."

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Summary: "All About Dyspraxia follows in the best-selling footsteps of Kathy Hoopmann's All Cats are on the Autism Spectrum and All Dogs have ADHD. Through engaging text and full-colour photographs, this book shows how people with dyspraxia see and experience the world and highlights the unique characteristics that make them special. A perfect introduction to dyspraxia for those recently diagnosed with the condition, as well as their families, friends, and the people who work with them. People with dyspraxia will also appreciate the book for the way it shares their perspectives on life with care and gentle humour."

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This webinar will teach caregivers and support persons what rumination is, how to recognize the signs of rumination and perseverative thoughts, the connection between mental health issues and rumination, and how to diffuse rumination before it morphs into behaviors of concern. Strategies used in low arousal approach practices such as exercise, anxiety reduction, distraction and sensory regulation will be explored as well as how to build some interoceptive awareness. Building these tools through available resources will round out the webinar.

Being trauma-informed is about acknowledging the need to understand a person’s life experiences in order to deliver effective services. With this approach, service providers can improve engagement, health outcomes, and wellness for their community. This collection of resources can assist service providers and individuals to develop an approach that improves understanding, and helps to recognize, and respond to the effects of all types of trauma.

Exploring the similarities and differences around ADHD & Autism!

Join Asst. Clin. Professor (adj.) and therapist Alina Kislenko as she explores the links and differences between ADHD & Autism, common misdiagnoses, and what to do after you or a loved one is diagnosed. There will be much raw honesty, shared experiences, trauma exploration,ridiculous but effective strategies, and sillyness because life is better with extra Neuro-spicy sauce.

Alina will also be discussing the Pi Method, a therapeutic model invented at her counselling centre (and taught around the world) that focuses on trauma healing for ADHDers & Autistics specifically. Alina is a proud Neurodivergent person and sweary creator of the biggest ADHD page on facebook, ADHDinterrupted.

Demand avoidance involves the experience of having difficulty to do an action when requested or expected, and refers to responses made to avoid demands. This toolkit is intended to introduce demand avoidance, and offer some potential options related to how to respond

Summary: "Eliza Fricker gets it. Her compelling, hard-hitting and irreverently humorous illustrations follow a family through the early days of school avoidance, the process of accessing support and the challenges of coping in the meantime. Can't Not Won't illuminates the absurdity and frustrations that often arise when dealing with health, social and educational systems, and will help any parent in the same boat feel seen. This guide acts as a way to communicate these difficult circumstances with others. Wonderfully relatable, the book also includes written guidance for parents and professionals on what works best when it comes to managing school avoidance."

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Summary: "If kids with anxiety could see themselves the way we see them, they would feel so much bigger than their anxiety. They would feel so much bigger than everything. ‘Hey Awesome’ explains how the same brain that can make them feel anxious sometimes, also comes with amazing strengths. It also includes powerful tips for children on how they can manage their anxiety. First we let them know how awesome they are, then we give them what they need to feel it for themselves."

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Summary: “Drawing on the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), this book sets out a clear, enjoyable, step-by-step approach for addressing the sorts of anxieties, fears and phobias that are so common in children and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and related challenges. Using this easy-to-follow model, parents and professionals will have the tools they need to help children and teens cope with and sometimes overcome anxieties caused by everyday occurrences. The book covers seven common scenarios, from fears of environmental sounds and visiting the doctor or dentist, to anxieties around transitions, changes to schedules and an intolerance for making mistakes. The model can be adapted to suit almost any anxiety or phobia and is ideal for use at home, at school and in clinical settings where it can be integrated into a variety of treatment approaches and styles. Designed to help parents of children with autism spectrum disorders and the teachers and therapists who work with them, this book is an excellent resource for successfully alleviating many of the anxieties and phobias that interfere with life enjoyment, not only for the child but for the entire family.”

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This toolkit is designed to help those who interact with autistic individuals understand and accommodate potential verbal understanding challenges. Sometimes we assume that our loved ones understand us but a directive has not been followed, This can lead to feelings that the autistic person is non-compliant, defiant or even oppositional.

Summary: "Do you find yourself constantly asking your child to "pick up the pace"? Does he or she seem to take longer than others to get stuff done--whether completing homework, responding when spoken to, or getting dressed and ready in the morning? Drs. Ellen Braaten and Brian Willoughby have worked with thousands of kids and teens who struggle with an area of cognitive functioning called "processing speed," and who are often mislabeled as lazy or unmotivated. Filled with vivid stories and examples, this crucial resource demystifies processing speed and shows how to help kids (ages 5 to 18) catch up in this key area of development"

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Summary: "Armed with the wealth of understanding and strategies in this guide, students will discover how they can learn best, to make studying and revision more effective (and less stressful). Packed with simple, tried and tested strategies and workarounds, this study guide for supporting kids and teens who learn differently (such as those with ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia or ASD) explains what memory and processing issues are, and how to work around them. Written by a tutor and specialist with years of experience of working with students with learning differences, this book enables the student to understand the best ways they learn and the reasons behind this. Unpacking processing speed, sensory processing, metacognition, and executive functioning, including working memory, this uniquely relatable and empowering study guide will provide students with the self-understanding they need to manage exams and academic tasks at school with confidence and peace of mind"

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This article summarizes research where parents of students with autism (5-21 years) completed a survey about bullying experiences and mental health issues. Being chronically victimized is reported to be related to mental health problems.

Summary: "This comprehensive and accessible guide contains everything that needs to be known in order to set up and run a Minecraft® Social Group for children with autism spectrum disorders. Minecraft®, often described as 'digital Lego', provides an ideal forum to help children with autism and related conditions to develop social and communication skills. This book offers guidance on how to use the game to support the learning of social and emotional concepts such as having a conversation, showing interest in others and understanding another person's point of view. With over 100 pages of photocopiable and downloadable session plans, visuals and handouts, this manual is essential reading for professionals working with autism who are interested in introducing Minecraft® to support social skill development in their students."

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This toolkit is a resource to better understand a child’s right to publicly-funded education. It offers information related to attending school in Canada, and the pursuit of one’s right to education.

Summary: “This book was written for parents who are considering a psychoeducational evaluation for their child to help them become more knowledgeable about the process. The various chapters address: how to decide if a psychoeducational evaluation makes sense, what might take place at an intake meeting, what are the different types of testing, observation, questionnaires and other procedures that may be suggested, how psychologists may adapt the testing to individual needs, how to interpret the scores from a psychoeducational evaluation, how to present test findings in a way that is useful to teachers, what happens at the feedback meeting and how to advocate for your child after the evaluation. The author provides a list of frequently used tests and explains what they measure and what age they are used for. There is also a list of frequently asked questions that are answered. The goal of this book is to help parents to become more savvy about the testing process so that they are more able to work collaboratively with the evaluator to obtain information that will ultimately be beneficial in planning for their child's educational needs.”

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Demand avoidance involves the experience of having difficulty to do an action when requested or expected, and refers to responses made to avoid demands. This toolkit is intended to introduce demand avoidance, and offer some potential options related to how to respond

Teaching self-care techniques can be challenging for some children, especially if they struggle with sensory processing differences. In this toolkit developed by OT Moria Pena, common personal hygiene issues are discussed and practical strategies are provided.

The Sleep Workshop was developed by the Centre for Autism Services Alberta's Occupational Therapists. This workshop will give you a solid foundation of knowledge about sleep and how you can support your child in developing healthy sleep habits.

This short animated video provides tips for developing healthy sleep habits for individuals with developmental disabilities. The script was written by Dr. Penny Corkum of Dalhousie University and was developed and narrated by Dr. Fakhri Shafai of AIDE Canada.

Sleeping issues are often reported among the developmental disability population and are particularly common in children and youth on the autism spectrum. This toolkit summarizes our current knowledge around sleep differences in individuals with developmental disabilities and provides an overview of evidence-based strategies that can be tried at home. There are also links to additional resources and questionnaires that can help you discuss these challenges with your child's medical team.

Summary: "Problems with sleeping are common and make life difficult for the individual who is affected and for those around them. Sleep difficulties are particularly prevalent amongst people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and often cause or worsen other difficulties. This comprehensive guide to the management of sleep problems, introduces all the proven remedies and focuses on the problems commonly found in ASDs and related conditions. The author discusses sleep in depth, including how we currently define and understand it. The full spectrum of sleep disorders is explained alongside the range of possible treatment approaches. The book also examines why some sleep problems are more common among people with an ASD than others, how sleep problems evolve over time, what can be done to treat them and the likely benefits from different treatments. This book is a complete resource for professionals, families and carers working with those suffering from sleep problems of any kind. It will be of great interest to anyone wanting to gain a thorough understanding of sleep in relation to ASDs."

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