Stages Connect
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
ContributorYmkje is a Connect contributor writing on autism education and special-education practice.
Articles by Ymkje
Family & Home Life Gift Ideas for Children on the Autism Spectrum
If you are a teacher, parent, caregiver, or family member of an autistic child in the middle of holiday gift shopping, you may wonder what are some good gifts for children on the autism spectrum....
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Nov 19, 2022 · 5 min read
Behavior & Sensory What Is MTSS and How Does It Help Struggling Students?
MTSS stands for a multi-tiered system of supports. It is a data-driven, tiered framework, also referred to as a multi-tiered process or model of supports, that is designed to help schools identify...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Nov 5, 2022 · 5 min read
Classroom Strategies IEP MEETINGS: What Can I Request for My Autistic Child?
An Individual Education Plan (IEP) is a legal document that is developed during a meeting between parents and school staff for every child eligible for special education. This plan includes a...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Oct 10, 2022 · 6 min read
ABA & Therapy What Is Discrete Trial Training?
Many children with autism do not learn skills spontaneously and may need extra help and specific teaching to learn things that may come naturally to their typically developing peers. They often need...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Oct 1, 2022 · 5 min read
Classroom Strategies Our Autism Journey From Special Education to Mainstream Classrooms
According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), every child with special needs has the right to be educated in the least restrictive environment (LRE) , which is the general...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Sep 11, 2022 · 6 min read
Classroom Strategies How to Recognize, Prevent, and Stop Bullying of Autistic* Children
Bullying of kids with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a major problem in our schools. Recent research shows that 46% of kids with autism in middle and high school were victims of bullying,...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Aug 13, 2022 · 7 min read
ABA & Therapy Autism: It Does Get Better!
The Top 6 Interventions for Positive Progress One question every exhausted and overwhelmed autism parent or teacher asks themselves or others at some point is, “Will this ever get better?” I...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Jul 17, 2022 · 6 min read
Behavior & Sensory Safety Considerations for Caregivers of Children on the Autism Spectrum
Safety is an important topic when caring for autistic children. We covered how to keep autistic children out of harm’s way in Safety First! 8 Ways to Keep Children on the Autism Spectrum Safe...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Jul 17, 2022 · 6 min read
ABA & Therapy Air Travel with Autistic* Children: 8 Ways to Prepare
Taking a plane trip can be taxing for anyone, especially when traveling with children. Adding an autistic child with unique sensory challenges into the mix can make air travel even more...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Jul 2, 2022 · 7 min read
ABA & Therapy Happy Father's Day to All Awesome Autism Dads
And a Special Shout-Out to Five Autism Dad Heroes! In researching material for this Father’s Day article to appreciate dads of children on the autism spectrum, one thing was clear:...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Jun 17, 2022 · 3 min read
About Autism Safety First! 8 Ways to Keep Children on the Autism Spectrum Safe
Autism can impact the safety of both autistic children and the adults caring for them. Learning to be proactive in keeping children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) safe is no small feat....
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Jun 11, 2022 · 6 min read
Emotions & Social Skills Teaching Autistic* Children About Winning and Losing
Some children with autism may find it very difficult to control their emotions when they don’t win in a game, quiz, or raffle, or when they don’t get the highest score in their class. This can...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
May 30, 2022 · 6 min read
Behavior & Sensory Autism and Aggression: A Four-Step Approach
How to deal with aggressive behavior remains one of the main and most urgent questions teachers and caregivers of autistic children ask, and aggression is also among the most common challenges...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
May 5, 2022 · 7 min read
About Autism A Mother's Day Tribute to Autism Moms
Happy Mother’s Day! A tribute to all mothers, but especially to the mothers of children on the autism spectrum Most every mom looks forward to that one day of the year when they may get to...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Apr 27, 2022 · 4 min read
About Autism Conquering Negative Thoughts When Parenting Autistic* Children
Every parent thinks negatively from time to time, but the negative and often fear-filled thoughts parents of autistic children struggle with can be off the charts because they are so different...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Apr 9, 2022 · 6 min read
Family & Home Life Parents and the Autism Diagnosis: How to Accept Your Autistic* Child
Receiving a diagnosis of any kind is difficult for parents, and an autism diagnosis can be particularly frightening. The uncertainty about how to best support your child, and the confusion...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Apr 9, 2022 · 6 min read
ABA & Therapy What Autistic* Teenagers Need to Thrive
When our autistic children grow up and enter the preteen and teen years, their needs change. They will require a new approach and different interventions to help them thrive. What may have...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Apr 9, 2022 · 7 min read
About Autism World Autism Acceptance Month: From Autism Awareness to Autism Action
April 2 is the start of the internationally recognized World Autism Awareness Month. In recent years, many have advocated, and some changed the name to World Autism Acceptance Month, citing...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Apr 2, 2022 · 5 min read
Language & Communication How to Help a Talkative Autistic* Child to Talk Less and Listen More
Many children with autism develop special interests and become so entranced with them that they spend much of their time talking about them with great enthusiasm. Initially, it can be...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Mar 6, 2022 · 7 min read
Language & Communication Always Presume Competence (Part 2)
Teaching Language and Communication to Autistic Children This is the second part of a two-part series. Start with part 1! Dr. Temple Grandin, professor of animal science at Colorado...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Feb 27, 2022 · 5 min read
Language & Communication Always Presume Competence (Part 1)
Teaching Language and Communication to Autistic Children Teaching language and communication to autistic children who are non-verbal, can be extremely challenging. When it appears that all our...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Feb 27, 2022 · 5 min read
Classroom Strategies Valentine’s Day and Autism: Six Ways to Help Your Child Prepare for and Enjoy the Holiday
Download Our Free Social Narrative: Giving and Getting Valentines Valentine’s Day, the day we celebrate the people in our lives that are most important to us, is just around the corner. Many people...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Feb 6, 2022 · 5 min read
About Autism The Power of Optimism When Raising a Child on the Autism Spectrum
Without a doubt, raising an autistic child can be extremely stressful and challenging. Learning to embrace a more optimistic mindset, focusing on the strengths and abilities of your autistic...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Jan 25, 2022 · 5 min read
Family & Home Life Setting Meaningful and Achievable New Year's Goals for Autism Parents and Caregivers
As a grandparent and full-time caregiver of a teenager on the autism spectrum, setting personal goals for the New Year isn’t something at the top of my to-do list anymore. In years past, I used to...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Jan 10, 2022 · 5 min read
Classroom Strategies How to Help Autistic Students Who Have SENSORY Processing Disorder
It is estimated that 80% of autistic children also have sensory issues, if not Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), as a comorbid condition. However, many parents, caregivers, and educators are...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Nov 20, 2021 · 5 min read
Family & Home Life 11 Ways to Prepare for Happy Holidays With an Autistic Child
The end-of-the-year holidays are supposed to be happy occasions, filled with joyful traditions such as family gatherings, elaborately home-cooked meals, the exchanging of gifts, parties,...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Nov 14, 2021 · 6 min read
Family & Home Life Taking the Sting out of Discipline for Kids with Autism
The benefits of setting clear boundaries for children on the autism spectrum All children need rules and boundaries to help them know how to act appropriately in different settings and situations,...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Oct 17, 2021 · 6 min read
Family & Home Life Cut Yourself Some Slack: Parenting and Autism
The Importance of Self-Care for Parents and Caregivers of Children with Autism For parents and caregivers, and especially when caring for a child with autism, it can be very difficult to find time...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Sep 16, 2021 · 5 min read
About Autism How Grandparents Can Support Their Autistic* Grandchild
Grandparents can have a unique role in the lives of their grandchild with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They can be a source of support, guidance, connection, encouragement, and love. ...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Sep 4, 2021 · 6 min read
ABA & Therapy The Power of Positive Reinforcement for Teaching Autistic* Children
Reinforcement or bribery: Is there a difference? Positive reinforcement is a powerful motivator. For children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the purpose of using positive reinforcement in the...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Aug 14, 2021 · 6 min read
About Autism 10 Things a Grandmother of a Child with Autism Would Like Other Children to Know
AUTISM AWARENESS AND ACCEPTANCE TO PREVENT BULLYING There has been a lot of talk about Autism Awareness and Acceptance through the years, and while we still have a ways to go, much has improved since...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
Jul 29, 2021 · 9 min read
About Autism ABLLS Vs. VB-MAPP Assessments: What’s the Difference?
Two of the most common assessments used to evaluate autistic children are the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS) and the Verbal Behavior - Milestones Assessment and...
Ymkje Wideman-van der Laan
5 min read