Children with Autism can often have difficulty in their social communication and interactions. This can range from deficits in developing and understanding relationships with others, failure to initiate or respond to social cues not understanding nonverbal communication such as gestures or eye contact, and difficulty sharing in imaginative play or in making friends. This does not necessarily mean children with Autism do not desire to interact with others, they may just need additional support in learning the skills to do so.   What are Social Skills?   Social skills refer t ..read more

Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care is proud to recognize their Bandera and Westover locations as the first urgent care provider in Texas to achieve the Certified Autism Center Certification. This recognition is awarded by The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to organizations that complete the required training and certification exam. The team at both locations have completed training to better understand, identify, communicate, and treat patients with Autism from ages 0-21 who may need adjustments when receiving their medical care. The two l ..read more

If you have a child with Autism who is currently enrolled in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy, you may have heard some unique terms and language being used to describe the processes going on in therapy. We are going to breakdown some of the most common terms here to help parents and caregivers navigate the world of ABA with ease. ABA is the science dedicated to the understanding and improvement of human behavior.  Antecedent  The term antecedent refers to what occurs in the environment immediately before the behavior being observed occurs. For example, taking a child ..read more

The Holiday season brings festive fun which may look like ice skating, hot cocoa, and cozy sweaters. Sensory sensitivities are among the most common traits for children on the Autism Spectrum, which means dressing for the winter season can be a challenging task. Here are some areas to consider when navigating winter clothing with a child with sensory sensitivities:   Pick Fabrics Carefully  When choosing clothing for your child, consider their unique sensory preferences. Choose fabrics that do not irritate your child’s skin, soft and tag-free clothes are a great place to start ..read more

How to Introduce New Foods to Picky Eaters  With the Holiday season right around the corner, more gatherings are taking place- and if your child is a picky eater, you know all too well it can be a real challenge to introduce new foods. It is often the case that children on the Autism Spectrum are picky eaters. This can come from several underlying causes such as sensory processing disorders, gut health concerns, or a variety of muscle strength related obstacles. Working with children with rigid eating behaviors on accepting new foods and getting them to eat a healthy range of foods i ..read more

It is officially Fall in Texas! Which means it is time for pumpkins, hayrides, cooler weather, trick-or-treating, and so much more. In the month of October, we celebrate Halloween, and many children will engage in trick-or-treating, fall festivals, and other fun activities where they may be encouraged to dress up and interact with others. This can come with challenges for children diagnosed with Autism. In efforts to keep these activities safe and fun for all children, let’s discuss some tips and tricks to navigate this season with your child.   Trick-or-treating is an activity many chil ..read more

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in six children have one or more developmental delays. This would mean that even if this is not currently impacting you or your child’s life, it is likely impacting someone that you know. Educate your child early about developmental disabilities. This can help them understand and encourage them to reach out to new friends!  What is a Developmental Disability?   Developmental disabilities are considered both severe and long-term issues. These can include both physical and mental components. Some examples could inclu ..read more

We know every child has a different journey through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy and each family’s experience is truly unique. This is why Little Spurs Autism Center has caregiver education and training embedded into each of our children’s programs. This month we are hoping to highlight and share insights on how our centers’ specialized services support children and their families. Let’s take a look at what we offer for caregiver training and education, and what one of these sessions might look like.   Getting to Know Your Child’s Team: Bringing a child’s caregiver into a ..read more

Returning to school can be a stressful time for families, especially if you have a child with a developmental delay such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Children with Autism often thrive with a consistent routine, and planning and including your child’s individual needs can help ease the transition back to school. Let’s look at back-to-school tips and tricks that can help us understand what our kids are going through with returning to the classroom, and how we can help.  One of the best things you can do is to work on reducing anxiety around the changes in routine that are coming ..read more

Summer is a delightful season that brings sunny days, warmer weather, and an abundance of opportunity for families to create lasting memories. For children with Autism, Summer provides a great environment for expanding social and communication skills while engaging in sensory experiences. Here are some fun activities to enjoy with your children this summer:  Art and Crafts: Children with Autism often enjoy expressing themselves through art and crafts. Engaging in these activities not only promotes fine motor skills but also allows for an opportunity to expand on their creativity and self ..read more