Mallory Knee, Author at Talbert Zoo

Can Aromatherapy Help Kids With Special Needs?

April 25, 2023April 25, 2023 Mallory Knee

Aromatherapy is among the most popular health and wellness trends, with many people incorporating it into their daily lives. But can aromatherapy help kids with special needs? We answer that question and more below. Aromatherapy, Explained Before we get into aromatherapy and children, what does aromatherapy mean? Aromatherapy is a word that gets thrown around a lot in health and wellness, but it’s definitionally using essential oils from plants for mental and physical healing. Essential oils and aromatherapy have exploded in popularity over the past decade, as many people use…

Ways To Help a Child With Autism Cope With Grief

April 18, 2023 Mallory Knee

When a grandparent, parent, teacher, or even a beloved pet dies, children need help coping with grief. Understanding what it means when a loved one dies is tough for any child, but it’s especially confusing and difficult for children with special needs. There are ways to help a child with autism cope with grief that are similar to what you’d do for a neurotypical child. While you may find yourself explaining a child’s reactions to family and friends, the focus should be on helping the child cope with this difficult…

Ways To Redirect Harmful Stimming in an Autistic Child

April 4, 2023 Mallory Knee

Stimming (or self-stimulatory behaviors) is an essential part of life for many people with autism. It’s a physical or verbal action that helps someone regulate their emotions, relieve stress, and cope with the overwhelming amount of sensory input around them. Common stimming activities include flapping or moving hands and arms, rocking back and forth, spinning, and repetition of words and phrases. However, stimming can also involve more severe behaviors, like banging the head against a wall, hitting, or biting oneself. Stimming is important for autistic people to help them regulate…

Godparents in the Different Branches of Christianity

March 1, 2023 Mallory Knee

Holding to religious faith in a secular world is hard. Asking someone to act as the godparent for your child or for someone else’s child in their stead can help make that religious faithfulness a little bit easier. While godparenthood originated within the Catholic faith, each of the different branches of Christianity includes godparents in children’s lives. We’ve summarized the commonalities and differences below so that you can understand this important role across Christian traditions. Catholic Godparents Godparents started in the Catholic faith and are still an important part of…

Reasons To Incorporate Sensory Play Into the Park

February 7, 2023 Mallory Knee

For a child to grow up healthy and meet the most important milestones, they need an outlet that allows them to cut loose without worrying about getting hurt or lost. The park provides an open space for physical activity and play, improving the health and well-being of communities. Parks and playgrounds are perfect for children because they provide physical and mental stimulation. Sensory play has a profound effect on childhood development. When children interact with their surroundings, they learn to engage with and perceive the world around them. Here are…

How To Reduce Sensory Issues for Kids During Car Rides

January 3, 2023 Mallory Knee

Many neurodivergent children struggle with sensory issues, especially those with ADHD and autism. This can make riding in the car difficult, as there’s a great deal of unfamiliar sensory input involved. However, never riding in a car isn’t a solution. Saying that your child can never ride in a car will limit them in the future. Instead, it’s important to learn how to accommodate your child. Here are some tips to reduce sensory issues for kids during car rides. Ask Them What They Need If your child is old enough,…

Ways To Help Your Special Needs Child Drink More Water

December 22, 2022December 22, 2022 Mallory Knee

Hydration is one of the most important components of staying healthy. The human body relies on water to function properly. When you don’t drink enough water, your body experiences symptoms like nausea, dry mouth, and headaches. Children are at a greater risk for dehydration than adults. They enjoy staying active and aren’t aware of how much water they’re drinking each day. If you have a special needs child who has difficulty consuming the proper amounts of water each day, take some time to review these helpful ways to encourage them…

When To Seek Professional Help for a Child’s Mental Health

December 14, 2022 Mallory Knee

Young children exhibit variances in development, expressing an individual temperament and experiencing a unique developmental timeline. But where psychological conditions are concerned, it can be hard to tell the difference between a developmental phase and a disability or mental illness. Know when to seek professional help for a child’s mental health. Persistence The defining element of a developmental phase is that it passes. Your pediatrician can help you track infant and toddler development and identify areas of concern. For many families, meeting developmental milestones simply means keeping a child within…

Kids With Autism and Their Special Interests

December 14, 2022 Mallory Knee

If you have a child or family member with autism, you’re likely familiar with their special interests, even if you weren’t previously aware of the technical term for them. Here’s what you should know about kids with autism and their special interests. What Are Special Interests? Special interests are unique to individuals with autism. A special interest can be an intense passion or focus on a specific topic for an extended period of time. Now-outdated research described special interests as “restricted interests” and heavily discouraged them. However, special interests are…

How To Support Your Disabled Friends and Family

November 30, 2022 Mallory Knee

Disabilities are as varied as the individuals who have them. If you have disabled loved ones, you’ve likely wondered how to be a better friend to them. Here’s how to better support your disabled friends and family. Remember That Disabilities Look Differently When you think of a disabled person, what do you think of? Likely someone with a visible disability, such as wheelchair users. These are people with whom you can physically see evidence of said disability. However, it’s important to remember that many disabilities are invisible. Many individuals experience…