Courtney Kowalczyk M.Ed.

Happy Birthday to You! How to Celebrate Your Childs Special Day Appropriately

Over the past few months, a few of my clients have asked "how should we celebrate our child's birthday, taking into consideration his or her special needs." This is an important question on many levels, since we all want to celebrate special occasions with family; however, this can sometimes be too much for many of our children with special needs. Here are a few ideas and... (posted by Courtney Kowalczyk M.Ed. 2 years 120 days ago.)

What Should I Do When My Child is Anxious?

Anxiety can be debilitating for many individuals, especially those affected by autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Last month, I shared specific symptoms and changes in behavior to consider when determining whether or not your child or student is anxious. Now that you know what to look for in relation to anxiety symptoms, the next step is to understand ways in which you can help your child or student... (posted by Courtney Kowalczyk M.Ed. 2 years 254 days ago.)

Indoor Sensory Ideas and Activities

The snow continues to fall here in Michigan, and it seems like forever since my family and I were able to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about frostbite. Cabin fever is really beginning to set in. I cannot wait for the warm sunny spring days to arrive, and to go for a bike ride with my family! The cabin fever that my family and I have been experiencing lately seems to be a common theme among many of the families... (posted by Courtney Kowalczyk M.Ed. 2 years 349 days ago.)

A Journey Through Infant Development: The Sixth Month

Development is a complex process, and truly amazing when you break it down. Each little gain that a child makes is a miracle, especially when you begin to look at the complexity of the brain. The ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) is the part of the brain used to read and understand emotions. This is one small part of the brain; but what if this part of the brain isn't firing at the same time as... (posted by Courtney Kowalczyk M.Ed. 3 years 83 days ago.)

Learning to Think: Part Two - Mindfulness Throughout the Day

School has been in session for over a month now, and students are busily working on their studies. Teachers have dug into the content of their curriculum for the year, and everyone has had time to adjust to the new routine. As a former teacher, curriculum was an integral part of my day; and working with students with special needs could be very challenging, especially when trying to pull from... (posted by Courtney Kowalczyk M.Ed. 3 years 105 days ago.)

Nonverbal Communication: Whats it all about? Part 3

This is part 3 of a 3 part series on nonverbal communication in children. Working to improve the use and understanding of nonverbal communication is essential for a person with an autism spectrum or neurological disorder. In most cases, working to improve nonverbal communication is the best place to begin improving communication abilities. Expanding the ability to use and understand nonverbal... (posted by Courtney Kowalczyk M.Ed. 3 years 121 days ago.)