Tip Sheets
Sometimes the best way to learn is from the experience of others, so we've asked our experts to share helpful tips on a variety of topics.
Autism Resource Directory, 9th edition (PDF, 319 KB)
This valuable directory is a must-have for any family with a child who has autism spectrum disorder. Updated each year by the experts at Fraser Child & Family Center, this directory focuses on services available in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Choosing a Dental Provider for Your Child with Special Needs (PDF, 19 KB)
Getting off to a good start with your dental provider sets the groundwork for your child to learn good lifelong oral health habits. Following are some tips to help you identify the dental provider that will best meet your family’s needs.
Developing Appropriate Coping Skills in Children with Autism (PDF, 14 KB)
Ideas to help develop more functional and appropriate behaviors.
Developing Interests and Play Skills for Children with Autism (PDF, 14 KB)
Ideas to help children expand their interests and incorporate strong interests into a more appropriate and adaptable style of play.
Enhancing Social Interactions in Children with Autism (PDF, 14 KB)
Promoting positive interactions with peers and adults through attachment techniques.
How to Make a Weighted Stuffed Animal (PDF, 38 KB)
How to Make a Travel-Sized Weighted Blanket (PDF, 39 KB)
How to Make a Weighted Blanket (PDF, 113 KB)
New experiences, such as a trip to the dentist, can be scary or intimidating for a child, especially a child who has autism or other special needs. These easy, do-it-yourself projects can help to calm and comfort a child, and are easy items to bring along to a new place.
Reducing Holiday Stress (PDF, 12 KB)
Ideas to help lessen the inevitable increased stimulation associated with the holiday season.
Tips for Potty Training (PDF, 36 KB)
Potty training is a milestone marking a child growing up, learning self-care skills and independence. These tips can make training easier for parent and child.
Using Music Therapy to Reach Developmental Goals (PDF, 32 KB)
Children of all abilities and ages can benefit from music therapy. These tips will help you incorporate music therapy into your child’s life.
Visual Supports (PDF, 53 KB)
Most children with autism process pictures better than words. Learn how to help kids communicate with visuals and how to create a visual supports system.
Writing a Social Script (PDF, 25 KB)
Follow these guidelines to write a simple and effective social script.
Behavior Guidance for Young Children (PDF, 27 KB)
Punishment can have a negative effect on a child’s self-esteem. There are better methods to help children develop problem-solving skills, a sense of freedom to choose their own path and the self-esteem necessary to change a pattern of bad behavior.
Fun Ways to Encourage Motor Development (PDF, 39 KB)
These tips provide some ideas for fun activities to do with preschool children to help encourage different areas of motor development.
Taming Toddler Tantrums (PDF, 76 KB)
Tips for dealing with challenging behaviors without losing your cool.
Tips for Potty Training (PDF, 36 KB)
Potty training is a milestone marking a child growing up, learning self-care skills and independence. These tips can make training easier for parent and child.
Have a Fun and Safe Halloween (PDF, 26 KB)
The excitement of Halloween can be overwhelming, especially for children with special needs. These tips will help your child have a fun and safe Halloween.
Making Back-to-School Easier (PDF, 29 KB)
Ideas to help children and adults smooth the transition from summer flexibility to a stricter school routine.
Making Outings Less Stressful (PDF, 833 KB)
For some children, going on outings and running errands can be stressful. The following tips can help make outings less stressful for both children and parents.
Planning for a Health Emergency (PDF, 26 KB)
No one likes to think about an emergency threatening the health and safety of loved ones, but unfortunately they do sometimes arise. While we cannot always prevent an emergency, there are ways to be better prepared to handle one.
Protect Your Family by Learning About the Avian Flu (PDF, 27 KB)
While Avian influenza, or "bird flu," has not yet reached the United States, learning more about it can help keep our families safe.
Reducing Holiday Stress (PDF, 12 KB)
Ideas to help lessen the inevitable increased stimulation associated with the holiday season.
Strengthening Sibling Relationships Between Children with Special & Typical Needs (PDF, 27 KB)
These tips can help parents foster and strengthen the relationship between siblings with special and typical-needs.
Taming Toddler Tantrums (PDF, 76 KB)
Tips for dealing with challenging behaviors without losing your cool.
Tips for Balancing Career and Family (PDF, 42 KB)
Balancing career and family is a juggling act many parents perform each week. These tips may give you new ideas to help keep your life in balance.
Tips for Dads (PDF, 65 KB)
Fathers play an important role in the lives of their children. Here are a few tips for building a strong relationship between father and child.
Tips for Potty Training (PDF, 36 KB)
Potty training is a milestone marking a child growing up, learning self-care skills and independence. These tips can make training easier for parent and child.
Using Music Therapy to Reach Developmental Goals (PDF, 32 KB)
Children of all abilities and ages can benefit from music therapy. These tips will help you incorporate music therapy into your child’s life.
Advice to Parents on Receiving a Special Needs Diagnosis (PDF, 35 KB)
These tips are provided by parents who have been through the experience of having a child diagnosed with special needs.
Advocating on Your Child's Behalf (PDF, 16 KB)
Advocacy is about identifying problems and negotiating solutions. These tips are designed to help parents when advocating for children with special needs.
Choosing a Dental Provider for Your Child with Special Needs (PDF, 19 KB)
Getting off to a good start with your dental provider sets the groundwork for your child to learn good lifelong oral health habits. Following are some tips to help you identify the dental provider that will best meet your family’s needs.
Down Syndrome Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 95 KB)
Prepared for National Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.
Helping Children Transition to Table Foods (PDF, 95 KB)
Mealtimes can be especially challenging for parents of children who have disabilities. These tips can help ease the transition to table foods.
How to Make a Weighted Stuffed Animal (PDF, 38 KB)
How to Make a Travel-Sized Weighted Blanket (PDF, 39 KB)
How to Make a Weighted Blanket (PDF, 113 KB)
New experiences, such as a trip to the dentist, can be scary or intimidating for a child, especially a child who has autism or other special needs. These easy, do-it-yourself projects can help to calm and comfort a child, and are easy items to bring along to a new place.
Person-First Language (PDF, 17 KB)
Using "person-first" terminology is an important consideration when talking to or about someone with a special need or disability. A general guideline is to always put the person before the disability (i.e., "person with a disability" rather than "disabled person").
Strengthening Sibling Relationships Between Children with Special & Typical Needs (PDF, 27 KB)
These tips can help parents foster and strengthen the relationship between siblings with special and typical-needs.
Tips for Potty Training (PDF, 36 KB)
Potty training is a milestone marking a child growing up, learning self-care skills and independence. These tips can make training easier for parent and child.
Using Music Therapy to Reach Developmental Goals (PDF, 32 KB)
Children of all abilities and ages can benefit from music therapy. These tips will help you incorporate music therapy into your child’s life.
Writing a Social Script (PDF, 25 KB)
Follow these guidelines to write a simple and effective social script.
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