Something 2 Talk About

04/22/2026

04/14/2026

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04/11/2026

https://academy.pubs.asha.org/2021/04/april-is-autism-acceptance-month/

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States continues to grow. According to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as many as 1 in 54 children…

04/08/2026

Subject: [Announcement] The Autism Parenting Summit is open for registration!


Hi Shawnda

Are you constantly looking for autism treatments and resources?

The Autism Parenting Summit is a FREE virtual event that will bring together the world's leading experts on autism. You'll learn about the latest research, effective strategies for behavior, communication, social skills, and more.

From the comfort of your home, navigate the challenges of the autism spectrum and learn how to give an autistic child the best start in life.

Get Your Free Pass Here

If you're parenting or caring for a child or young person on the autism spectrum, you won't want to miss the Autism Parenting Summit. It's the ultimate online event for caregivers seeking expert advice and support without paying a dime.

We encourage you to sign up right away. It takes less than a second to click the link below, so hurry on over to secure your spot now.

https://autismparentingsummit.com/

Let’s talk soon,

Mark Blakey
Founder
Autism Parenting Magazine

Give autistic children the best start in life from our panel of experts. Sign up for FREE and learn how to help your child thrive.

03/18/2026

✏️ PENCIL GRASP: WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW

🧠 What is “pencil grasp”?
Pencil grasp is how your child holds a crayon, marker, or pencil when drawing or writing.

🌱 How does pencil grasp develop?

Most children naturally develop their grasp over time:

- 1–2 years: Holds crayon with whole fist
- 2–3 years: Fingers point down toward paper
- 3–4 years: Begins using fingers more
- 4–6 years: Develops a more mature grasp (using thumb, index, and middle finger)

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✅ What is a “good” pencil grasp?

A mature grasp usually:
✔ Uses fingers (not the whole hand)
✔ Allows small finger movements
✔ Looks relaxed—not tight or strained

👉 The most common mature grasp is called a tripod grasp

⚠️ When should I be concerned?

It may be worth checking with a therapist if your child:
- Avoids drawing or writing
- Complains of hand pain or fatigue
- Has messy or hard-to-read writing for their age
- Switches hands often or uses excessive pressure
- Uses a very tight or awkward grip that doesn’t improve over time

⏳ Is it too late to fix pencil grasp?

- Best time to develop grasp: ages 3–6
- Around age 7–8, habits become stronger
- BUT… it is never too late to improve!

🏡 Easy ways to help at home

Try these simple activities to build hand strength and better grasp:

✂️ Use child-safe scissors
🧩 Play with small toys (Legos, beads, puzzles)
🖍 Use broken crayons (encourages finger use!)
🧻 Crumple paper into balls
🧱 Play with playdough (pinch, roll, squeeze)
🧽 Use spray bottles or squeeze toys

💡 Helpful tips

- Keep practice short and fun 😊
- Focus on comfort and control, not perfection
- A different grasp is okay if your child writes clearly and comfortably

❤️ Remember:
Every child develops at their own pace. The goal is functional, comfortable writing—not a perfect grip.

*If you have concerns, our pediatric occupational therapists can help support your child’s hand skills and writing development

12/13/2025

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11/04/2025

https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/picky-eaters-during-holiday/

We’ve all been there, at a relative or friends house and our children are refusing to eat what is being served. It can be a stressful time, often causing us to second guess our parenting decisions, especially if we are with opinionated people who like to share how they handled those situations wit...

10/13/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1H4PKncfSB/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/06/2025

Happy August S2TA Team! I appreciate all that you do!