Dear Melissa, I have discovered that playing the right music is the only thing that can bring my 3-year-old son out of an all-out-meltdown when all of my other strategies and approaches fail. Is this normal or crazy?  Well, you are onto something big here. It is not...

credit: envato images Dear Melissa, The holidays are approaching. Do you have any ideas for fantastic toys that my children will love, but that are also therapeutic? The season of yearly gift giving has begun! I get this question frequently. Parents want their...

credit: envato images Dear Melissa, Any ideas to help make the holidays run smoothly for my son with Sensory Processing Disorder? Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year's...the holiday season is upon us!  The holidays are a time of big changes in routine...

Dear Melissa, I have two boys, ages 3 and 7. My 7-year-old son was diagnosed with Autism when he was 2 years old. My older son has several self-stimming behaviors including flapping his hands, spinning in circles, and rocking. He primarily engages in these behaviors...

credit: Envato images Dear Melissa, My 3 ½ year old daughter has no other medical diagnoses but has the hardest time falling asleep at night! We minimize TV and other electronic devices in the evenings, and we have consistent bedtime and wake-up times throughout the...

Image Credit: Envato  Dear Melissa, Should I give my children the flu shot?  YES! Definitely! Absolutely! Without a doubt! And go ahead and stick in any other affirmative adjectives you can think of, it’s that important!  And by the way, make sure you vaccinate...

image credit: envato  Dear Melissa, I thought my 11-year-old nephew had Asperger’s Syndrome, but now my sister keeps referring to him as “Autistic.” When he was younger, he had frequent tantrums. But now he is a really great “quirky kiddo” who loves to tell his...

credit: Envato Images Dear Melissa, I have a 6-year-old son with Autism. He LOVES the idea of Halloween, but it often ends in a disaster!  He doesn’t like knocking on doors, he won’t say “thank you” after he gets candy, and the costume is always a complete disaster....

Dear Melissa, My 4-year-old son is having frequent tantrums at preschool. I was browsing a  sensory processing parent support group webpage when I saw several parents discussing “brushing” and how it helps with calming their children. What exactly is it, and...

Dear Melissa, My son will be starting kindergarten next fall. Do you have any suggestions on getting his fine motor skills ready for this transition? Good for you for thinking about this a year ahead of time! There are many, many areas that need to be addressed before...

Dear Melissa,  My 5-year-old just started kindergarten, and she is having a hard time sitting still during rug time. The teacher suggested that my daughter get a “weighted vest.”  What is it; how do I get it; and how will it help?  I hate to burst the bubble of every...

Credit: Envato Dear Melissa, My 4 1/2 year old grandson is a “chewer”. He has no developmental delays, but he seems to chew on EVERYTHING! He chews on his shirt collar, he chews on sticks, he chews on straws, he chews on toys…I tried to give him a chew necklace, which...

credit: envato images Dear Melissa, My 4-year-old son has sensory processing disorder and is the type to be more sensitive than most kiddos. He seems to enjoy watching the Razorbacks with me on TV, and I really think it is time for our first father/son football game....

Dear Melissa, I recently started watching my 4 ½ year old nephew while my sister works full time.  He is a really sweet boy, but he is so impulsive, so full of energy, and is very quick to throw a tantrum. I feel like I have to watch him more closely than I watch my...

image credit: Envato Dear Melissa, My 3-year-old daughter is identified as having Sensory Processing Disorder, and she just LOVES her blanket. She sleeps with it every night and rubs her hands on it as she falls asleep. Throughout the day, she will even take “breaks”...

Dear Melissa, My son will start kindergarten this fall. He has been in private Occupational Therapy for the past 2 years addressing sensory and behavioral difficulties and mild developmental delay.  My son’s OT says he is doing so well and advises us to decrease our...

image credit: Envato   Dear Melissa, My son was recently diagnosed with Autism by a Developmental Pediatrician. The pediatrician recommended several different types of services, but it seems very confusing. Is all of this really necessary? He is only 2! Forgive me for...

 Turning a little red wagon into a splash table...what fun! This week I suggest activities for children pre-K and older, but as you can see, toddlers really enjoy water play as well.  Dear Melissa, My son LOVES coming to therapy when it is Water Week at the...

Dear Melissa, At 18 months, is it too early to diagnose Autism?  Let me start by admitting that this blog is a bit more serious than the last few. Although this topic takes on a very serious tone, I must make a confession: I LOVE children with Autism. Period.   It is...

Dear Melissa, When my kids run to the backyard, I often have to remind them to put on shoes. However recently I wondered if the sensory experience of warm grass on their feet on a summer day is actually an important right-of-passage for a child. What are your...

Dear Melissa, "I feel like we are raising a generation of children who spend hours upon hours a day living in an altered iPad reality. What are the recommendations for iPad usage for children with special needs?"  This question is tricky. If you Google “iPad...

Dear Melissa, I just had a baby and I want to make sure that I am doing everything I can to give her a good start!  What is “tummy time” and how do I make sure I am doing it right? Ahh, "Tummy Time"…It seems like this is such a common buzzword among new parents these...

Dear Melissa, My 4-year-old son is very smart.  He knows all of his colors, numbers, and ABCs. Therefore, I was shocked when his preschool teacher said that he can’t sit in his chair, throws frequent tantrums and even occasionally hits the other kids. At home he has...