Fraser Blog

If you don’t have a loved one with a disability, you may not worry about your home’s accessibility. But the truth is, our bodies change as we age, and so do our needs. And universal design isn’t just for people with disabilities. Here are some ways you can make your home more accessible with universal design ideas.

You likely know someone who has struggled with depression, and you may also know someone who has considered suicide, whether or not you’re aware of it. While thinking about suicide isn’t the same as acting on it, the decision to attempt suicide is often made quickly, and the consequences can be permanent. The good news is experts also believe suicide is the most preventable kind of death, and almost any action can help prevent suicide.

Teens are often portrayed as moody and difficult to please. With changing bodies and hormones and increased independence, adolescence can be a difficult time of transition. It’s not too surprising then that teen boys and girls often face depression and anxiety. But are girls more prone to anxiety and depression?

People who have sensory processing sensitivities experience sensations as either more or less intense than the rest of us. They may find the sights, smells, noise, bright lights and crowds of the fair overwhelming. Fraser Sensory Inclusion Specialist Gina Gibson has partnered with the Minnesota State Fair to create a social narrative for the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

There are many reasons kids and adults struggle with making friends: they’ve moved to a new town, they’re shy or perhaps they’re just unsure how to interact with others. But having friends is important to a child’s development. Here are 5 ideas about how to help your child make friends.

Fidget toys are everywhere these days. There are Pop Its, squishies, monkey noodles, chewlery, finger squeezers and, of course, stress balls. While fidgets can be fun for kids, both big and small, these can also be an important tool for children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and sensory processing sensitivities.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is best-known as a childhood disorder. However, people with ADHD can have lifelong issues with paying attention, impulsively acting out or sitting still. This can result in damage to relationships, education, employment and an individual’s sense of self-worth.

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “Boys will be boys.” It’s often used to excuse behavior when boys act out. It may seem like a harmless thing to say, but using this phrase to excuse those behaviors perpetuates the ideas of toxic masculinity. According to Healthline, “Generally, toxic masculinity is an adherence to the limiting and potentially dangerous societal standards set for men and masculine-identifying people.” 

The CDC states that now 1 in 54 U.S. children is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by age 8. That means your children will likely know or meet someone with autism. As a parent, you may struggle with how to explain ASD to your children. Here are 8 questions your children might ask about autism, how to answer these questions and teach your children about autism.

Most people probably think of physical therapy as a way to recover from an injury or surgery. But physical therapy can also help children struggling with their physical development. Children with autism or children who have intellectual disabilities often have physical differences that occur simultaneously. Physical therapy can help restore and improve mobility and strength for your child and help prevent or limit physical disabilities. 

Social media has changed much about our lives. With a couple of clicks, you can find out what your third-grade boyfriend is up to now, or check out pictures of the new, hot restaurant without leaving home. But for parents, posting photos and information about your kids can get tricky. Here are some things to consider when you think about posting pictures, videos and information about your children online.

You may not be familiar with the term ableism, but you’ve likely encountered ableist language without realizing it. Ableism perpetuates the idea people with disabilities are inferior. Ableism appears in our language, and many everyday phrases or words perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Here are five ableist words and phrases to avoid.

Having a healthy paycheck is important, but for many, the work they do is about more than the bottom line. You want a career you feel passionate about. You want to support others in your community. You want to work to build a better, more inclusive world. If these things are important to you, you may want to consider a career in the nonprofit world. Here are a few of the benefits of working for a nonprofit.

The fear, anger and sadness of the past year has taken a serious toll on kids. According to MPR News, “In a recent University of Minnesota survey, sixth through 12th graders across the state said getting help with mental health was one of the biggest challenges they were facing.” As a parent, you want to do everything you can to care for and support your children. You can’t control everything, but you can teach your kids how to respond to difficult situations. Here are few ways to help your children care for their mental health.

With vaccines more readily available and CDC and state guidelines loosening up, you can start doing more things safely, like going out to eat, attending concerts and gathering inside with family and friends. But we’ve spent the past year isolating from other people and worrying about catching or passing on a deadly virus. These concerns won’t magically disappear overnight. Here’s how to cope when you start to re-enter the public sphere.

Most definitions of autism include the idea that individuals with autism struggle with socializing and communication. It’s also believed  people with autism have difficulty understanding social interactions and lack empathy. But as more studies have been conducted and people with autism have shared their perspectives, we are beginninng to understand these ideas about autism and empathy may be misguided. 

For families of color, discussing racism isn’t an option. White parents may have brushed aside a conversation about race by telling their children that race shouldn’t matter. But we know that race does matter — particularly in the U.S. The effects of racism can be deadly for Black, Indigenous, Asian Americans and other people of color. Talking about racism is how we move forward and start to eradicate the systematic inequalities it creates. Here are some ideas to help you begin these conversations with your children.

We all have good days and bad days. But many of us are very hard on ourselves and engage in extremely harmful, negative self-talk. What about instead of calling yourself a failure, you acknowledge you failed and then practice self-compassion? Here are six ways you can boost your mental health and be kinder to yourself.

Deciding it’s time to start therapy is a big decision, and finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming. But there are some things you can do to make the process easier. Fraser Licensed Psychologist and Site Manager Dr. Ruth Swartwood offers some advice to help you find the right therapist. 

Self-care might conjure images of soaking in a tub or enjoying a nice massage. While a spa day is refreshing, self-care can also impact both your physical and mental health, even providing long-term benefits. This self-care list encourages you to slow down and truly focus on what is best for your mind and body. Here are ten ideas to get you started.

Sensory play is beneficial for kids because it stimulates multiple senses at one time. This helps make learning more meaningful and effective. Creating a sensory bin for your kids is one way to encourage sensory play. Sensory bins can be particularly beneficial for children struggling with language, children with developmental disabilities or those with food or sensory sensitivities.

Numbers from the CDC suggest that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is 4 times more common among boys than girls. But people within the autism community and a number of researchers believe the gap between boys and girls is actually much smaller than that. Let’s explore why girls with autism may not be diagnosed, or not diagnosed until later in life. 

A bunny, a llama and a rat walk into a parking lot at Mall of America — does that sound like the beginning of a joke? Well, on Saturday, May 1, these furry friends from North Star Therapy Animals will be joining the Fraser Festival for Autism, presented by Central Roofing, at Mall of America, to bring joy to attendees.

Autism awareness and acceptance is increasing throughout the world, and we know representation matters. Having TV shows, movies and books with complex and interesting characters with autism is important. We reached out to some of our Fraser experts to get their recommendations for some of the best TV shows, movies and books that positively portray characters or people with autism. 

Having your child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can elicit a mix of emotions. You may be happy to have an answers, but feel sad because your child’s life might be different than you imagined. You’re also likely nervous about telling your friends and family about your child’s diagnosis. Here are a few tips to help your friends and family understand and know what to expect.

Have you ever been told you’re overreacting? That you’re oversensitive? It’s a tactic commonly used by someone who is gaslighting you. According to NBC News, gaslighting refers “to a specific type of manipulation where the manipulator is trying to get someone else (or a group of people) to question their own reality, memory or perceptions." Here are 6 signs of gaslighting.  

The goal of the Fraser Festival for Autism is to support Minnesotans with autism and raise awareness and acceptance in the community. Maybe you’re already planning to join us at the festival on Saturday, May 1, at Mall of America. Check out some fun ways to raise funds, and you could even win some Fraser swag!

Think about it: When was the last time you watched TV without scrolling through your phone? Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present in the moment and to accept things in that moment. Here are the steps to begin a mindful meditation practice.

People with depression are told to “snap out of it,” or those with anxiety to “just relax.” But we know someone with depression can’t just snap out of it. That’s why it’s important to normalize mental health challenges. Here are five ways to normalize mental health issues by becoming a mental health advocate in your community.

While you’re likely aware of your emotions, managing those feelings, as well as those of other people, can be trickier. Emotional intelligence helps you interpret and understand feelings and manage your reactions to those feelings.

We’re all coping with grief of some kind. You might have lost a loved one or a job. You miss your routines, gathering with friends and family, feeling safe, being able to attend events and make plans. The list seems nearly endless. Our lives have changed completely, and we don’t know when things will change back, which is where the ambiguity comes in. Here are some ways to cope with ambigous loss. 

While the pandemic continues, most people are putting travel plans on hold. A beach destination might be out of the question, but that doesn’t mean you should forgo a vacation. Here are 10 ideas to create a relaxing and memorable staycation this winter. 

Music causes powerful emotional reactions. Research has found music can help people manage pain when recovering from an injury or surgery. It helps with concentration and has been shown to help children’s brains develop. Music is also an important part of Fraser’s history.

Vaccines are starting to roll out, which means an end to the pandemic seems like a tangible possibility. But we know the pandemic is far from over. That means many of us will continue to work from home. Here are some ideas to help you balance work and life while working remotely.

You’ve likely heard the phrase: new year, new you. While you might not want that kind of dramatic transformation, a new year does present a good time to re-evaluate your goals. A vision board is a visual representation of your goals, and it can make it more likely that these things happen. 

Winters are long in Minnesota. Along with cold temperatures come snow, ice and shorter daylight hours. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) “is a type of depression that's related to the changes in seasons." Here are a six ways to combat the symptoms of SAD.

We’ve all heard of the terrible twos. While no one wants to be on the receiving end, it’s typical for children from 1 to 4 years old to display this type of behavior. That doesn’t mean you should let bad behavior go. Here are some ideas to navigate the terrible twos.

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “good vibes only.” But the idea that you can will happiness into existence can be problematic.

Next year offers the promise of a vaccine for COVID-19, but 2021 will still hold a lot of uncertainty. While there will be many things you can’t control, you can still make plans for the new year. Here are 5 ideas for setting realistic personal goals in 2021.

While there is nothing wrong with sipping hot chocolate and enjoying time on the couch, remaining active — even when the weather turns — is good for your body. It’s also important for your child’s well-being. Here are 9 ideas to help keep your child active this winter

The pandemic has caused an increase in mental health issues for many people. For Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), an increase in mental health issues is further complicated by provider bias, mental health stigma and personal and historical trauma.

As we enter the winter and the holiday season, the U.S. is experiencing a second surge of COVID-19 cases. Many people are finding themselves navigating awkward conversations with family and friends about when, how and if they should get together. Here are a few ideas to help you navigate these conversations with respect.

Fraser believes in inclusion and independence for peoples of all abilities, including the individuals who make their homes in Fraser Community Living. Here are 4 things you might not know about Fraser Community Living and its residents.

The holidays often feature excess, and for people with sensory processing sensitvities, that can be overwhelming. Here are some tips from Fraser Sensory Inclusion Specialist Gina Gibson to help you create a sensory-friendly holiday for your loved ones.

As we prepare for a Minnesota winter, outdoor activities that allowed people to socially-distance more safely will largely vanish when the snow flies. Creating a comfortable, cozy space at home will be particularly important for everyone’s mental health. 

Holding your finger up when you’re on the phone — we all do it. What you might not realize is that every time you communicate nonverbally like this, you're using a form of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).

Many people suddenly find themselves working from home. Here are a few ideas to help you create a work-from-home-space that is good for your body and doesn’t necessarily involve a separate room and a desk.

You may not be familiar with the term “doomscrolling,” but you’ve probably done it. You scroll through your social media feed, read about all the bad things happening and lose anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. And now you feel worse about the state of the world. Here's how to avoid it. 

Though this autumn might look different, it doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the season. Here are a few ways to celebrate safely with family and friends.

While many of these get-togethers are on pause, you can still gather with your “quaranteam” or “pandemic pod” for a fun watch party to celebrate The Fraser Annual Benefit, presented by U.S. Bank. Here are 6 tips for hosting the best Alice’s “Through the Looking Glass” themed watch party.

Doyle shares some things to watch for in a bilingual child, and what you can do if you believe your child has a speech delay.

Whether you decide to watch the virtual Fraser Annual Benefit with your cat or your family, we encourage you to let your imagination fly and dress like you’re escaping to Alice’s fantasy world. Here are 6 ideas to help you create that perfect “Through the Looking Glass” look.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues, many people find themselves struggling with a range of emotions. Making art can be a good way to process your feelings and improve your mood.

Losing someone you love is never easy, and the grief can feel like too much to bear. Here are some ideas to help you cope. 

Back to school looks much different this year. Here are seven ways parents can help their children manage anxiety about returning to school.

Masks make it difficult to gauge whether the person you’re talking to is smiling or frowning. So reading nonverbal cues becomes trickier. Here are three ways to decipher what people really mean when they’re wearing a mask.

The CDC recommends people wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and Minnesota has  issued a mask mandate. But some people find masks difficult to wear. Here are some tips that may help. 

You’ve probably heard of sensory processing, but may not be sure what it means. The way people respond to the senses varies greatly, and when misinterpreted by the brain, it can lead to sensory processing difficulties or dysfunction.

Getting help for your mental health is often stigmatized. But talking to a therapist can be extremely beneficial. Don't let misconceptions stop you from getting help you need. 

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health, and the two are tightly linked. 

Louise Whitbeck Fraser faced extreme personal adversity in her life, but still managed to start a school for children with special needs in her home. Read more about the Fraser founder's extraordinary life. 

Even with safety precautions, the idea of attending an event currently may make some feel anxious. But there are things you can do to help prepare yourself mentally for an outdoor event.

For people with autism, sensory needs or other disabilities, even a short car trip can be hard. Here are some strategies to help make your next car ride a positive experience for your loved one. 

As the pandemic continues, many of you may wish there was more you could do to help your neighbors and community. While most nonprofits have suspended in-person volunteering, there are still plenty of ways you can support your community while you stay home.

Adoption presents unique challenges. While each family is different, here are four common issues adoptive families face.

Postpartum depression is more common than many people realize, and it is a serious mental health issue. 

Therapies that require movement, like occupational therapy, are challenging in small living spaces. Here are some occupational therapy activities that work for families in smaller living spaces.

Our therapists shared some of their favorite books for children, teens, parents or anyone who wants to better understand the unique challenges faced by people with special needs.

Not being able to see the people you love is hard. Here are a few new ways to connect and have a little fun with your family and friends.

If your child struggles with bedtime, here a few ideas to help with the transition and to ensure he or she sleeps better.

It can be hard to know if what you’re facing is sadness, depression or it’s time to reach out for help.

Fraser Occupational Therapist Gina Gibson answers some questions about what occurs during a typical Pediatric Therapy telehealth session.

Here are some tips from Fraser mental health professionals, so parents can manage their time, while helping children with both special and typical needs do their schoolwork.

Here are some easy resistance activities to help prevent meltdowns and calm and soothe children (and adults) of all abilities.

Many people are familiar with the term “autism spectrum disorder.” But many may not understand why autism is considered a spectrum.

The coronavirus pandemic has placed us in uncertain times. People are getting sick and facing job and financial losses. While many of us are worried about our physical health, taking care of our mental health is important too.