Hi, I’m Silvia.

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Welcome to the Sign Of The Week

As we are approaching the end of the school year, many preschools and schools have organised day trips to Kia Ora farm and other places for the kids. Such ...

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Is your child/student using avoidance behaviours to escape a task?

Some children with additional needs learn behaviours that help them avoid doing activities they don't want to do.

From a yo...

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Welcome to the Sign Of The Week

In this video, you learn a sign very useful in the classroom, the sign for WHITEBOARD.

The sign for WHITEBOARD is a two-part sign. First sign ‘White’, then s...

Do parents have unrealistic expectations for their autistic children?

Recently, in conversation with a group of educators, I recommended some resources and videos from well known autistic self-advocates.

One of the teachers shook her head ...

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Welcome to the Sign Of The Week

In this video, I have picked the sign for BOTTLE. It can be used with babies referring to their milk BOTTLE. And it can be used with school kids as well, ref...

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Welcome to the Sign Of The Week

In this video, you will learn a sign that you may not know yet, the sign for SHELF.

You can use this sign in the classroom or at home when you ask your ch...

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7 tips to foster a love of books in autistic children

As an early intervention specialist and a mum of an autistic boy, books and reading have always been my best allies to help children learn. 

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Welcome to the Sign Of The Week

To sign for PAPER, place your left hand (non-dominant hand) in an L handshape with your palm facing up in front of your chest. Then, place your right hand (dom...

How do you know if your student is ready to learn reading?

In my last blog (Teaching Reading To Children With Autism), I discussed some key aspects to consider when teaching reading to autistic children. Today, I will address the question, “How do...

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Welcome to the Sign Of The Week

One of my favourite days of the year is Mother´s Day. And not so much because I get breakfast in bed and flowers, which I love, but because I love celebr...

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Welcome to the Sign Of The Week

St. Patrick´s Day is just around the corner, and this year we will be celebrating like there's no tomorrow :-)  

In this video, I will show you a co...

Teaching Reading To Children With Autism

I have noticed over the years that many children with autism are interested in letters from a young age. Many of my young students enjoy matching letters, the alphabet song and looking at printed words.

My...

Helping Autistic Children Have A Better Sleep

The one BIG issue we rarely think about...

Families are often at sea as specialised advice is hard to find on this subject.

Did you know that children with autism are more likely to have sleeping pr...

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Welcome to the Sign Of The Week

St. Patrick´s Day is nearly upon us, and this year we will be celebrating big!  

After two years of not being able to celebrate our national day, many of u...

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Welcome to the Sign Of The Week

Are you ready to learn the sign for READY?

I often use this sign to practice listening and waiting. For example, I play racing games with children, and I encourage the...