Category Archives: Anxiety

Gathering at TASH and The Magic People Map

Posted on December 11, 2014 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Before the TASH Conference, I was working this an idea to create a sort of People Map for H, so that he could be a bit more ready for the peopleing and could begin ahead of time to see faces … Continue reading →

Posted in ableism, acceptance, Activist, Anxiety, Autism, scaffolding, support, TASH, visual strategies, visual strategies and supports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Adding the I to IEP: H is at the table

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

There was another first for our 13-year-old this week. We worked with the wonderful team at H’s Distributed Learning School to update his Individual Education Plan (IEP) and for the first time ever H was there to take part. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Autism, Distance Education, Distributed Learning, Goals, HFASD, IEP, inclusion, scaffolding, self-advocacy, Shame, Special Education | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Aaaack!! Are we Thankful? Autism and the Family Dinner Party

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Originally posted on Thirty Days of Autism:
Navigating sensory issues, social stress and anxiety for children on the Autism spectrum can be a challenge at any time. However, I was recently asked by a parent for some tips or suggestions…

Posted in Anxiety, ASD, Aspergers, Autism, calm, connections, Cooking with kids, family, inclusion, mentor/apprentice, perspective of others | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Autism… and Mexico and Family and Inclusion and…WOW!

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

“When I asked H to help me with packing today… he got all excited. Turns out he though I asked him about “hacking”… Love that kid! And Yay!! Work at SFU [working at the university] is done – so I … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, Anxiety, aproximating typical, Autism, family, fitting in, Journey, Parent | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Cleaning H’s Room: Aaack! Will we ever move on from this?

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

H is a collector! He is a collector of facts, like the Amazing Craig (H’s Dad) and like myself! And also like me… he is a collector of stuff! We both love thrift stores and the thrill of a treasure … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Aspergers, Autism, executive function, HFASD, Indiana Jones, Journey, Michael Jackson, Parent, Star Trek, Star Wars | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 17 Comments

The Amazing Arizona TASH Adventure: A Roadtrip with H – Part 2

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Two big days! H and I were met yesterday morning by Laura Nagle and Susan Marks, and together with Barb Trader: the National Director of TASH, we were driven to the conference location. H and Laura chatted about Star Trek … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, Anxiety, Arizona, Arizona TASH, Aspergers, Autism, Behaviour, Documentary, Laura Nagle, Purchase Vectors of Autism: Laura Nagle, Vectors of Autism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Autism Positivity… and the motivation to reframe “tragedy”

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I will begin with the words of my son, H: “I am not a tragedy and autism is a part of who I am. Mom – autism means I think differently… and that is a good thing. Isn’t it?!?” I … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, Anxiety, Autism, Autism Positivity, Behaviour, diversity, Shame, The Gap, worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Autism and Poetry: The restorative power of language, mindfulness, and a sensory break

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

For the past 3 years H has been involved in a 6-8 week Art/Science program held at the nearby Blue Heron Reserve. This is a wonderful hands-on enrichment opportunity that is offered annually by his DL school, and for a … Continue reading →

Posted in acceptance, Anxiety, Aspergers, Autism, Behaviour, Communicate, Distance Education, Distributed Learning, Parent, Resiliency, Sensory Processing Disorder, SPD | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sometimes it’s just difficult… Anxiety, Autism and Brittle Balance

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

Tick, Tick, Tick… goes the time passing on the kitchen clock… Click, click, click… is quietly added, as my fingers fly over the keyboard of my computer. H is at a birthday party. It is for The Lovely S – … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, ASD, Aspergers, Autism, Neurotypical, Parent | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Contemplating Christmas: Autism and Giving to Others

Posted on November 7, 2011 by Leah Kelley, Ed.D.

I participate in a number of facebook groups. This past week one of them posted a theme on sharing Christmas gift ideas for people with additional needs. I’d like to take this on a slightly different angle (who’s surprised?!?) and … Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Aspergers, Autism, Big sister, executive function, sibling, Star Trek | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments