Superminds Autism Therapy

11/21/2025

When brushing triggers stress - Potato Head saves the day! (and so do other hands on play activities)

Sometimes it’s the toothbrush. Sometimes it’s the taste or the pace of the routine. And sometimes it’s simply that the whole sequence moves too fast and it’s too intense.

When that happens, backing up a step usually works better than pushing through.

Pressure free practice gives kids time to watch, join in, explore the movement, and build comfort at their own pace.

The goal isn’t to make brushing perfect. It’s to make it predictable and safe enough that the real routine feels easier over time.

Share this fun idea for play brushing practice !

Save this if brushing has been feeling like a struggle lately.

11/18/2025

Many autistic kids freeze the moment a task appears…

This gets confused for hesitation, but it’s actually overload hitting the nervous system before action feels possible.

When we understand this pause, everything shifts.

We stop pushing for “start now” and begin creating the conditions the autistic brain needs to begin.
👏 Clear steps
👏 Clear space
👏 Steady sensory input

Task initiation grows when the load feels low and the steps/pathway feels doable.

🫶🏻 share this for the moments that get “stuck”

11/13/2025

Language grows in so many forms.
Here, story, sensory play, and AAC come together to give each child a clear, supported way to participate.

This setup invites:

• Exploring characters through touch, movement, and visual storytelling
• Using AAC to comment, request, or share what they notice
• Taking turns in a way that feels natural and child led
• Building engagement by connecting the book, the tray, and their own interests
• Creating a shared moment where every communication style is welcomed

When play feels accessible, children lean into interaction. When communication is supported in multiple ways, confidence builds.

🫶🏻 Save to remember how simple materials can open the door for connection and language.

11/08/2025

When autistic kids hit a “learning wall,” the foundation for learning is missing.

Before autistic kids can develop communication, focus, or routines, they need to learn soft skills:
🧠 Self-awareness to notice what they feel and need
💗 Emotional awareness to name and navigate their feelings
👂 Sensory awareness to understand how their body experiences the world
🤸‍♀️ Body awareness to move with control and confidence
🌿 Flexibility to handle change or surprises
💬 Connection to feel safe, seen, and ready to learn

‼️ Non-autistic kids develop these skills naturally. Autistic kids do not.

Traditional teaching often skips these, but without them learning doesn’t stick. It becomes memorized instead of meaningful.

When we start with awareness, connection, and regulation, autistic kids begin to thrive.

✨ Root with soft skills and connection, not correction.

💬 Share this with someone who’s been told their child “just needs to try harder.”

11/05/2025

Finger posturing can look like holding one or more fingers in a fixed position, sometimes during excitement, focus, or sensory exploration.

It is often a form of self-stimulation (stimming), a way the body helps process input, emotion, or connection.

It can happen in isolation or in conjunction with other movements or postures such as arching the back, toe standing, or subtle facial or body posturing. These patterns can vary greatly in intensity and frequency from child to child.

Some children move their hands or fingers repetitively, such as flapping, flicking, or bending, especially when they are excited or concentrating.

It is important to remember this does not automatically mean a child is autistic. Many children use movement and posturing to regulate their bodies, especially during early development. What matters most is context … how often it occurs, what seems to trigger it, and whether it affects daily engagement or comfort.

Observation leads to understanding. If you notice these patterns, an OT or Behavior Analyst can help explore sensory and motor factors without pathologizing movement.

✨ These movements give clues about body awareness, tone, and sensory needs. Support starts with curiosity, not correction.

✨ Understanding comes before change.

Follow for evidence-based, neurodiversity-affirming insight.

10/31/2025

Every child deserves a Halloween experience that supports their communication and regulation needs 🦇

Halloween can be magical - costumes, laughter, excitement. But for some autistic kids, it can bring frustration…
🎃 wanting to communicate but not having an easy way to
🎃 routine changes without knowing what to expect
🎃 sensory input that feels overwhelming instead of fun

That’s why we practiced trick or treating through predictability, repetition and connection, so every child could join in with regulated bodies and confident voices ❤️

➡️ Swipe to see how it unfolded

💬 Comment INCLUDED for the free communication visuals!

10/30/2025

FREEBIE: If scissors and pencils cause stress for your child - or you’re looking to strengthen little fingers - this one’s for you!

This activity supports grasp, control, and regulation, without table time battles.

💡 try it with playdough for extra resistance and sensory input
💡 or skip the clothespins for an easier start!

💬 comment MONSTER for free printable

10/29/2025

FREEBIE - The Clothespin Monster is here - and all the kids love it!!

This hands on activity keeps kids engaged while building real skills:
👆fine motor strength and coordination
🎨Visual learning and pattern matching
🧠 Focus and creativity - all through play

It’s low prep by engaging and evidence informed fun (so you can actually have a moment to breathe while they play).

✨Grab your Clothespin Monster printable - link in bio (under Printables)
💬 Or comment MONSTER below and we’ll send you the link!

10/27/2025

Our fool-proof Halloween prep steps 👀 to support and adapt the Halloween experience so children can enjoy it their way - no meltdowns, no pressure.

And if you do all the things, but you still spend the night snuggling with a movie and candy bowl, you’re not alone. You’re an amazing parent.

Because there’s no “right way” to do Halloween, just the way that feels right for your child.

🦇 Save this post for Halloween week.
❤️ Share it with a parent who needs this reminder.

10/23/2025

Look at this amazing creation!! When we start to understand autistic play, everything changes.

What looks repetitive or “rigid” is actually so meaningful.
It’s meticulous design.
It’s pattern recognition.
It’s storytelling through arrangement.
It’s visual order and precision.

It looks nothing like neurotypical play. But it is play in its purest form - intentional and meaningful ❤️

💬 how does your child love to play?
💕 save & share - the more we understand autistic play, the more we can connect

10/20/2025

10/18/2025

Leaf creations! We went on a leaf hunt and used our imagination to turn our leaves into something new (and expand to a a ton of learning opportunities). Swipe to see the fun ➡️

With a pile of leaves, kids can,
🍂 build their own creations
🍂 make patterns and discover symmetry
🍂 sort, match and compare different leaves
🍂 talk about colours, shapes and textures
🍂 count, compare and add

No prep and no pressure. Every leaf becomes an idea and a chance to explore, create and learn. Sometimes the best learning happens outside.

🧡 Grab our Fall Leaves Scavenger Hunt freebie on TPT to start your own leaf adventure!