Sam I Am Autism Services

03/22/2026

Is your child calm right now? 😌

If the answer is yes, then it is an ideal time to practice what to do when they feel 😡 angry.

Practicing emotional regulation skills when your child is calm is much easier than trying to teach them at the height of a meltdown.

When your child is highly escalated, they will likely continue to need support and help using the emotional regulation skills they practice when they are calm.

Gradually, step by step, they will get better at it.

They will learn to regulate their emotions on their own.

They will learn to calm down, even if it's just a little bit.

They will learn to tell you what they might need in the moment.

Let us help.

Sam I Am Autism Services provides ABA therapy for autistic children and youth in Northumberland County, Durham Region, and Quinte West.

Visit samiamautism.com to learn more about how we can help.

03/22/2026

Join us for a Sensory Friendly screening of the new Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
When: April 11, 9:30 am
Where: Rainbow Cinemas, Cobourg
Cost: $3 per person
To learn more and register: https://www.autismontario.com/civicrm/event/info?id=12250&reset=1

03/01/2026

🐈‍⬛🦄🕸️Just a few of my recent fave conversations during ABA therapy sessions.

02/14/2026

When you 💕 LOVE 💕 helping kids and making them smile…
you learn to play the favourite songs of your music-loving ABA therapy kids 🎹.

01/18/2026

Teaching a child every single skill may feel overwhelming.

What if there was another way?

What if we taught children HOW to learn?

What if we taught children some of the things they need to learn and also HOW to continue learning on their own?

It would definitely seem less overwhelming this way.

It is definitely a good way to support children, especially if it takes them longer to learn things.

It is definitely something we can try to do.

It begins with learning to make relations between things.

It involves learning to make inferences about things being taught.

It is a skill that can be learned.

It is a skill that can begin to develop around 18 months of age.



📷Brooke Cagle

01/11/2026

Whether you are choosing the very first words to teach your child or their 900th word, think about how it might impact their life.

Will it help them get their needs met?

Will it help them express themselves?

Will it help them talk about the things they like?

Will it help them have conversations?

Make each and every word matter - because they do.

01/07/2026

Big feelings aren’t “bad feelings” — they’re human feelings.

For many autistic children, emotions can feel extra intense, fast, or confusing.

Emotional regulation isn’t about “stopping” feelings. It’s about helping kids understand what’s happening in their bodies and giving them tools to feel safe and supported.

Here are a few ways we build emotional regulation skills in ABA therapy, in a neurodiversity‑affirming way:

✨ Co‑regulation first
Kids learn to regulate with us before they can regulate on their own. This may include calm voices, predictable routines, and staying close to support big feelings.

✨ Name the feeling
Using visuals or simple language (“Your body looks angry”) helps children connect sensations to emotions without pressure.

✨ Teach tools
Breathing, counting, and other strategies, breaks, sensory supports, and safe spaces can help empower kids to choose what works for them.

✨ Practice during calm moments
We build skills when the child feels regulated — not in the middle of a meltdown. This keeps learning safe and supportive.

✨ Celebrate small wins
Noticing even tiny moments of regulation (“You took a deep breath before asking for help!”) builds confidence and self‑awareness.

💛 Emotional regulation is a journey, not a checklist. With patience, connection, and the right support, kids learn to understand their feelings and develop tools to help navigate them when needed.

12/21/2025

🌮I love playing games in ABA Therapy sessions!

These are a few of the games that were client faves this year.

🌮 🐱 🐐 🧀🍕
I can play Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza for days!
Who wouldn’t want to be a narwhal?
What Do You Meme that isn’t fun? 🤣

11/26/2025

Making some visual supports.

11/03/2025

⏰Can your autistic child wait?

✔️Waiting is hard for most people.
✔️Waiting is a daily part of life.
✔️Waiting is a skill that can be improved.
✔️Waiting can be made easier.
❌Don’t wait to start working on waiting!

💙Need help with this?
💙Connect with Sam I Am Autism Services to talk about how we can help your child learn waiting skills.

10/28/2025

10/28/2025

🎃Halloween: Step-by-Step 🎃

👭+ 🍪+ 🤣 + 🎃 + 😂💀🤣

📷: Colin + Meg