Blogs, articles, advice and more from the minds behind Gersh Autism Academy
For families of autistic children, finding ways for their children to more effectively communicate is a top priority. It can feel like a breakthrough when your child starts to express their thoughts, wants, news, or emotions, even if it’s through nonverbal means. Speech therapy offers that opportunity. By using a…
“Will my child be okay on their own?” “Are they really ready to take on these responsibilities?” “How can I best prepare them for what lies ahead?” It’s true–the journey to self-sufficiency for young adults is not without its trials.There will be moments of doubt, setbacks, and situations that test…
If you have been at Gersh Academy for any amount of time, you already know we are more than just a school; we are a community deeply committed to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment tailored to the unique needs of each student. Every child’s educational journey is personal, filled…
Sometimes navigating the workplace as a young adult with autism can feel like walking through a maze that was not designed with you in mind. So often, work environments cater to neurotypical standards, and the subtle social cues, unspoken rules, and sensory demands can present challenges many colleagues don’t even…
Emotional regulation is the ability to understand, manage, and respond to an emotional experience in an appropriate way. For children with autism, this can be incredibly difficult. They often experience heightened sensory sensitivity, challenges with communication, and higher levels of anxiety. The goal of emotional regulation, then, is to help the…
We are deep into summer now, and though this season provides a welcome break from the school routine, for many children with autism, it can also exacerbate what’s known as the “summer slide”. Did you know that many children with autism can experience setbacks in both academic and social skills during these…
Parenting an autistic child means endless questions, like “Is this autism, or is this developmental?” One thing many parents find themselves questioning is whether their child’s sensory sensitivities are a typical aspect of autism, or signs of SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder). Sensory Processing Disorder is characterized by the brain’s difficulty…
As our children grow, so much time is spent focused on their education, wondering if they will have satisfactory employment and if they will be able to live on their own. Yet, the ability to self-advocate is what most determines the quality of a person’s life. Self-advocacy is the ability…
Most parents will never know the difficulty of trying to communicate with a child who struggles to speak. If you have a non-speaking or primarily non-speaking child, you are all too familiar with the endless desire to simply understand what your child wants at any given moment. As a parent…
Between therapies, groups, and specialists, when you have a child on the autism spectrum, you probably feel as if your schedule is always booked solid. Beyond that, keeping up with all of this, and making the most of your resources, is a feat all on its own. A care map…
If your child with autism has received an invitation to a birthday party, you likely have mixed feelings: excitement they were included in the festivities, and dread of all the possibilities this unpredictable event might hold. For a child with autism, attending a birthday party can be both exciting and…
The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. It is also a time of crowds, bright lights, loud music, and rushed activities. For children with autism, this presents a unique set of challenges due to sensory sensitivities, changes in routine, and social expectations. Preparing for and navigating…
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.