Up Up and Away

This video highlights some early signs we look for as possible indicators of Autism.

Not every sign means something is wrong- but sometimes your instincts pick up on things others might miss.

Differences in communication, eye contact, play, or responses to sound and touch can be worth paying attention to- especially when you’re noticing patterns across multiple areas.

Every child develops at their own pace. But if you sense that something feels off, AND there are delays/ worries in several different areas, it’s okay to trust your gut.

Seeking support early doesn’t label your child, it empowers them.
The sooner you understand their needs, the better you can support them in thriving. 🤍

TRY THIS before a tantrum escalates 💙

Behind the scenes 😂

Strong social skills don’t happen by chance, they’re built with intention, practice, and the right support .

At Up Up and Away, we know every learner is unique. That’s why we focus on individualized goals and create opportunities to practice social skills in ways that feel safe, supportive, and meaningful. Growth looks different for everyone and that’s exactly how it should be 🩵

If transitions feel like the hardest part of your day... you’re not alone.

Shifting from one activity to another can be overwhelming for so many kids but with the right tools, it can get easier.

Sharing a few of our go-to strategies that can actually make a difference 💛

When a child hits, our reaction matters more than we think 💭

Staying calm and neutral helps prevent the behavior from escalating and shows children what regulation looks like in real time. Big reactions can accidentally reinforce the behavior but a regulated adult models the skills we want children to learn.
Pause. Breathe. Respond, don’t react ❤️

Using a timer with both visual and auditory cues creates clear expectations, smoother transitions, and stronger focus. When you can see the countdown and hear the alert, it supports independence, reduces anxiety, and keeps everyone on track.

⏰Simple tool. Powerful impact.

One of the biggest mistakes we see?

Asking a question when it’s not actually a choice.

“Do you want to brush your teeth?”
“Can you put your shoes on?”

If the answer is no… but it’s not really an option… we’ve just created an unnecessary power struggle.

In ABA, we focus on clear, kind directions instead of false choices.

Instead of:
👉 “Do you want to brush your teeth?”

Try:
🪥 “It’s time to brush teeth! Let’s race the timer!”
⏱ “Can we beat 30 seconds?”
🎉 “After teeth, we build Legos!”

When something isn’t optional, clarity reduces anxiety.
When we add fun, we increase cooperation.
When we pair hard things with preferred things, we build momentum.

Less negotiation.
More success.
More connection.

Watch how these simple tweaks in language can truly change the outcome!

At Up Up and Away, we’ve seen how powerful a simple visual schedule can be.

For many of our learners, knowing what to expect reduces anxiety, increases independence, and builds confidence throughout the day. Visual schedules provide clear, predictable structure, helping children transition more smoothly between activities, understand routines, and feel successful.

When expectations are visible, our learners can focus less on uncertainty and more on learning, growing, and shining 🤩