On behalf of the Robert Norton Foundation, we'd like to shine a light on a challenging yet underexplored facet of family life within the autism community: being a sibling to a non-verbal autistic child. Navigating this journey as a parent is often a road less traveled, filled with joys, hurdles, shared experiences, and unique personal...
We have entered the chapter of double digits!We are celebrating a big milestone in our family this week as Robert turned 10 years old on June 28th. This brought back so many memories from the very first time I heard his heartbeat, to the first time I held him, to hearing him laugh and giggle....
Our application is completed! (YAY!!) We are beyond excited and proud to be able to annouce that our application is complete and we are ready to start helping families just like ours, give their children a voice. We need your help! We are looking for 5 families who have non-verbal children to test our application....
When school breaks for summer, the long, free days can seem daunting for parents, particularly those of non-verbal autistic children. Finding ways to keep them entertained, engaged, and continuing to learn can feel like a challenging task. But fear not, summer can indeed be a time of fun, growth, and togetherness. Here are some suggestions...
Summer vacation is the perfect time to explore new adventures and share memorable experiences with your child. When schools close for the break, it might seem challenging to keep your non-verbal autistic child engaged and entertained, especially if you live in Tampa where the summers can get quite hot. However, Tampa is filled with opportunities...
Autism Awareness Day is a time for us to celebrate the unique and incredible individuals within the autism spectrum community. At Give Kids a Voice, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to express themselves and be heard. Today, we want to share the inspiring story of Robert Norton, a young autistic and non-verbal...
Communication is a fundamental aspect of our lives, allowing us to express our thoughts, needs, and emotions. For individuals with speech and language challenges, communication can be a daunting task. This is where Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices come in, offering a lifeline to those who struggle with speech. In this blog post, we'll...
Being a parent is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but it can also be one of the most challenging. When your child has autism, those challenges can be amplified. When your child is non-verbal, those challenges can feel overwhelming. This is the reality for parents of non-verbal autistic children like Robert. As a...
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as each child with autism is unique and may have different needs and challenges. However, here are some strategies that may be helpful for single parents with a child with autism.Seeking support from family and friends. It can be overwhelming to be a single parent, especially when...
Happy Halloween everyone! Here are 5 tips that I wanted to share with you that have helped us enjoy Halloween.#1 Choosing a sensory friendly costumeBeing realistic and having a true understanding of your child's needs is the key to success in my opinion. Choosing a costume that may not necessarily be a "conventional costume" is...