Spices
Life can get pretty hectic! As parents, we are busy. As the end of the week rolls around, we’re dog tired. When I was having a particularly long and challenging week, one way I kept Michael happy was to include him in what I was doing. On this particular night, I was cooking dinner from scratch, and I used the chance to teach Mikey about the ingredients.
This made cooking (or watching Mom cook) an educational experience. He got to smell the foods, hear the names and maybe try saying them himself (or finding the buttons on his AAC).
Include Them
Each day is an opportunity to include your child and create a verbal environment for him or her. Talk to them, show them the world around them. A day spent this way may not look glamorous, but as these days add up, your child will learn and grow from your investment of time and energy.
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About the Author
Erica Mauro is a mom to two teenage boys, Will who is neurotypical and Michael with Autism and cognitive delays. She holds a BA in Psychology from Colgate University and a Masters of Psychology in Education from Columbia Teacher’s College. Before staying home with her children, she worked as an elementary school teacher. For five years, she served on the Board of Directors of the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation, a charity dedicated to enriching the lives of children with special needs. In partnership with her husband Dave, she aspires to parent by using daily life as an opportunity for therapeutic intervention, seizing on real experiences as opportunities to build skills and strategies for Michael in a joyful, loving home environment. On the tougher early days, she just tried to get everyone safely to bedtime and start fresh in the morning. *wink* 
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