Blogs, articles, advice and more from the minds behind Gersh Autism Academy
For children on the autism spectrum, the learning environment plays a powerful role in how well they can focus, participate, and feel comfortable at school. A classroom might look perfectly ordinary to most students, but to a child with sensory sensitivities, that same space can feel overwhelming, chaotic, or even…
Receiving an autism diagnosis for your child can be a life-changing moment. You might remember the exact words the doctor used, the weight of the report in your hands, or the silence that followed as you tried to take it all in. For many parents, it’s a moment that feels…
Understanding Autism Learning Styles: Setting the Right Educational Approach For many parents of children with autism, choosing the right educational path can feel like trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces. You want your child to feel safe, supported, and seen, but most importantly, you want them to…
As your child grows into adulthood, independence in daily life becomes more important, including the ability to make balanced food choices. But if your young adult with autism has a limited diet or strong food preferences, getting them to try something new can feel like an uphill battle. Food isn’t…
As a parent of a child with autism, you know that emotional regulation can be one of the biggest daily challenges. Whether it’s frustration over a change in routine, sensory overload, or difficulty expressing feelings, big emotions can take over fast. We have a lot of tools we use at…
Transitioning from high school to adulthood brings new responsibilities and expectations. For many autistic young adults, challenges with executive functioning, like time management, organization, and task completion, can make this transition overwhelming. The good news? Technology can be an extremely helpful tool in building independence, structure, and confidence in their…
For many children, and especially those with autism, new experiences can be overwhelming. Whether it’s attending a family gathering, getting a haircut, or even riding an escalator for the first time, not knowing what to expect can create stress and anxiety. Even everyday situations like going to a restaurant, joining…
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Helena Han, Head of School at AYM, was honored as a Power Woman of Queens 2025 by Schneps Media. This prestigious honor celebrates fearless women who make Queens a thriving place to live, work, and grow, and Dr. Han’s extraordinary leadership at AYM…
Teaching good hygiene habits is an important part of supporting your autistic young adult’s growth and self-sufficiency. However, personal care routines can often feel overwhelming due to sensory sensitivities, executive functioning challenges, or difficulty with task-switching. For many autistic individuals, hygiene tasks involve multiple steps that require motor planning, body…
Parenting a child with autism is an extraordinary journey filled with love, learning, and growth. Yet, it also comes with unique challenges that often feel overwhelming. Balancing therapy appointments, advocating for your child, and managing daily life can leave little space for personal care. This leaves many parents with the…
It’s the time a parent of a child with autism has on their minds since diagnosis: transition into adulthood. Of course, it’s a pivotal time for any young person, but for autistic children, it often comes with unique challenges and considerations. Navigating this period requires understanding a host of terms…
Holiday gift shopping can be an exciting time, especially when you find a gift that lights up your child’s face. For children with autism, selecting the perfect present is about celebrating their individuality, strengths, and unique interests. Each child has their own way of experiencing joy, and with a little…
As a parent of an autistic child, I can say that the care and dedication that teachers and staff give to their students is immeasurable. You can see it in the way my son looks forward to going to school every day, and in the growth and progress he has continuously shown throughout the years. Gersh really knows not only how to educate autistic children, but also acknowledge the personalities of each child, and embraces all facets of the student, showing and providing great care, patience, support and understanding for students and their families.
Every child needs only one person to believe in him. In Gersh, the entire team believes. They will find that one spark through positive reinforcement and this child will have confidence. My daughter entered Gersh when she was 10 years old. She did not know how to read. She now reads chapter books.
“Our daughter did not want to go school before Gersh, she was absent a lot. Within the first few months she developed a nice feeling of trust with the staff where she was very willing to go to school. They don’t reprimand or use a reward system they are all just warm and understanding which is what she needs and I think every child needs. Intellectually I see her flourishing because she is much less anxious so she’s able to concentrate better. We feel very fortunate to have found a nice safe, warm, inviting atmosphere for our daughter.”
“At Gersh we feel like we are among family, like we are at home. We know that our son is comfortable, it is a very nurturing place. Academically he is flourishing and socially he is much more outgoing; more comfortable in his own skin and his surroundings. Since coming to Gersh he is more verbal. He used to give us one word answers and now he tells us what’s going on.”
“The teachers are great, they are able to customize the lessons towards the students strengths. There’s nothing better than seeing the excitement in the air, the smiles, creativeness and teamwork. Gersh gives the gift that keeps giving, “ENDLESS ADVENTURES.”
“You guys rock! I can’t imagine my son attending any other school. Thank you for everything” – Jose R.