In many families, a dentist appointment is marked on the calendar weeks in advance — and it’s something that makes everyone feel anxious. For children with autism, such visits often end in tears, clenched jaws, or attempts to push the dental instruments out of their...
A child sits facing a task and hesitates. The school aide nearby notices this, knows exactly what should be done, and preempts the child with a specific reaction. The gesture is well-intentioned yet delicate. After all, the work of a school aide involves a question...
A supermarket can be a very busy place. Checkout scanners beep, music plays from the ceiling, and occasional announcements broadcast the weekly special. Most people barely notice this consciously. However, those who are sensitive to sensory stimuli cannot simply tune...
Some children say things that make adults pause—such as the number four being orange, or Tuesday feeling green. It sounds like a product of imagination, but often it isn't. Behind it lies a perceptual phenomenon with its own name: synesthesia. And it occurs...
In dodgeball, one child is always picked last. They rarely catch the ball, stumble while running backward, and are still struggling with their shoelaces in the changing room when the others are already in the gym. To teachers, this can easily look like laziness or a...
On October 20, we are opening our doors in Cologne to anyone interested in learning what goes into the work of a school companion. You are welcome to join us at Eythstraße 21 between 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. What can you expect? We start with the basics, explaining the...
In many families, a well-intentioned decision is made after the diagnosis: From now on, everyone will speak only German. The second language disappears because the parents don’t want to overwhelm their child linguistically. This is understandable, but research points...
A teenager who has performed well in school for years suddenly finds it almost impossible to get out of bed. He talks less than he used to, forgets appointments, and can’t stand the noise in the cafeteria for even ten minutes. This looks like depression and is often...
School Inclusion takes place simultaneously at many schools. Team collaboration continues throughout the year—through coaching, case discussions, and interactions with team leaders. The one time a year when everyone is actually in the same room is a rare occasion. On...
When asked, “How are you?” some children, after a long hesitation, can only say, “I don’t know.” Others sense from a stomachache that something is wrong, but can’t say whether it’s fear, anger, or sadness. There’s a specific term for this, which literally means “no...
When you ask children about their favorite part of the school day, “recess” is a surprisingly common answer. Finally getting outside, finally being able to be loud, finally not having to sit still. For many children on the autism spectrum, this very part of the school...
A child tidies up their room without anyone having to tell them. They rarely speak up, don’t cause any trouble at school, and hardly ever talk about what’s on their mind at home. In families with an autistic child, it’s often the siblings who behave this way. And...
