Courtney Wiersum is an autism specialist with the Horizons Developmental Remediation Center. She holds a master’s degree in special education and is a certified teacher with endorsements in cognitive impairments and early childhood education. Courtney is currently a Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) ® Program Certified Consultant-In-Training, and provides consultation services to families and school professionals throughout Michigan.

Holiday gatherings can be particularly stressful if you have children with developmental disabilities. Here are some real tips for reducing the stress and increasing the happiness in your holiday seas...

How useful are rote skills if your students don’t know how to apply them in everyday life? Here are some strategies that will help students learn to think independently.

We use 8 different types of nonverbal communication without even thinking about it. What are they and how do these skills affect children with developmental disabilities? Part 1 of 3. 

We use 8 different types of nonverbal communication without even thinking about it. What are they and how do these skills affect children with developmental disabilities? Part 2 of 3. 

If you know how easy it is to misinterpret the emotional intention of words in an e-mail then you might understand what it’s like to communicate with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Helping autistic childre...

Is your child’s anxiety caused by transitioning to a summer routine or his fear of attending a new school in the fall? Here are a few simple strategies to use when assisting a child with a school buil...

A little planning can help your special education child make the transition from school to summer. If you follow these steps, it can be less stressful, and more enjoyable, for everyone involved.

As a parent of a special education child, you may be wondering how you can be more involved in your child’s Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). The author offers some advice and encourages Special ...