Bloom Behavioral Healthcare LLC

10/27/2026

“Give them a real smile!”
“They’re talking to you - look at them!”
“Give Grandma a hug!”
“Show them what you learned in school!”

These are common phrases that a child may hear on a regular basis. At first glance, they feel normal, expected. They are statements made with the intention of guiding children to cultivate relationships, communicate with others, and develop manners. Those are important skills that should be encouraged, but with nuance. As an adult, many of us would not react kindly to being expected to demonstrate these abilities for others, whether we want to or not. There’s nothing inherently wrong with encouraging children to practice manners or engage with others. But when those requests become constant expectations, without room for a child’s comfort or preferences, the experience can begin to feel less like learning and more like performing.

Read more in our latest blog!

“Give them a real smile!”“They’re talking to you - look at them!”“Give Grandma a hug!” “Show them what you learned in school!” These are common phrases that a child may hear on a regular basis. At first glance, they feel normal, expected. They are statements made with the intention...

10/27/2026

🎃 HALLOWEEN TIP 🎃

Walking up to a stranger and speaking can be daunting, sometimes even impossible. You can practice trick-or-treating at home with your little one, taking turns role-playing the trick-or-treater and the candy giver. If your child is non-verbal or not always comfortable speaking you can use visual cards that say things like, “trick or treat,” “thank you,” etc. to allow them to still participate. It’s important to remember that even with practice, things may not go as smoothly when it comes time for the real deal. Don’t worry about that - you can speak for your child, or move on to another home or activity.

If you think your child could benefit from non-verbal Halloween communication cards, feel free to download and print these for free! Find the pdf version here of these trick-or-treat cards (and other printable resources) here: https://www.bloombhc.com/resources

10/24/2026

Thank you everyone who attended our Fall Meet-Up get together today!! We had so much fun on the playground, playing games, getting some practice trick-or-treating, and just hanging out together! We’re so grateful to all of you for spending part of your day with us! 🥰🎃

If you couldn’t make it today, be sure to follow our page to watch for future meet-up opportunities!

10/20/2026

As a parent, you know your child more than anyone else. You are there from the very beginning with a front row seat to their growth, development, and personality. Because of that, you notice and understand things about them that others might not see as easily. Your child having an autism diagnosis may make complete sense to you, yet feel shocking to someone else. You may hear things like:

“They always seem fine when I see them!”
“They don’t act autistic!”
“I never would have guessed that.”
“But they’re such a good student!”

Most people mean well with these kinds of statements, but that doesn’t make them feel any less invalidating. You can choose to respond to these situations in whatever way makes you the most comfortable, but don’t let someone else’s limited perspective make you question what you know about your child. A handful of interactions with your child do not provide the same perspective as years of parenting, professional assessments, and your child’s own lived experiences. Remember that what others see is only a snapshot of the whole story.

Read more in our latest blog!

Your child having an autism diagnosis may make complete sense to you, yet feel shocking to someone else. Remember that what others see is only a snapshot of the whole story.

10/15/2026

The idea of Halloween elicits an internal film reel of fun costumes, family outings, and adorable squeals of “Trick or Treat!” as you gallivant around a crowded, festive neighborhood. The thing about those thoughts, though, is that they often don’t match reality. Halloween may actually come with costume refusal, candy aversions, and a whole lot of overwhelm. Instead of letting the possibilities haunt you, treat yourself to a Halloween with less stress by creating a plan that works best for your family. No matter what your holiday looks like, it still counts, so dress it up however you want!

Read more in our latest blog!

The idea of Halloween elicits an internal film reel of fun costumes, family outings, and adorable squeals of “Trick or Treat!” as you gallivant around a crowded, festive neighborhood. The thing about those thoughts, though, is that they often don’t match reality. Halloween may actually come wi...

10/11/2026

Fall is finally here! Many people celebrate the crisp air, the changing leaves, and the return of their favorite fall fashion staples. For some, these changes are simply a part of life, a seasonal transition that comes along every year. For others, a new season affects much more than just wardrobe. For many children with autism, the season comes with changes in routine and multiple sensory experiences. Mother Nature is one aspect of life we have no control over, but we can control how prepared we are when we know changes are coming.

We may have been experiencing an unseasonably warm fall, but that's not going to last much longer! Read more on how you can help your child navigate seasonal changes in our latest blog

Fall is finally here! Many people celebrate the crisp air, the changing leaves, and the return of their favorite fall fashion staples. For some, these changes are simply a part of life, a seasonal transition that comes along every year. For others, a new season affects much more than just wardrobe.....

09/29/2026

Fall is here and with it comes a bucket list a mile long of fun things to do. There’s apple picking, pumpkin patches, fall festivals, Halloween, and all the other things that make the season seem special. Soon, your social media feed will be filled with exactly that - friends, family, and even strangers sharing a highlight reel of their fall adventures. While it’s always nice to see others enjoying themselves, it can also add a lot of undue pressure to parents who feel like they have to measure up.

In reality, there’s no need to cram everything - or even anything - into your fall calendar. These events can be a blast, but with unfamiliar environments, new people, weather changes, smells, and noises, they can also be overwhelming, especially to a child with autism.

The great news is that there is no “right” way to enjoy fall. Instead of comparing your plans to what others are doing, focus on what works best for your family. Fall can still be a fantastic season that your family enjoys in their own way!

Learn more in our latest blog!

Fall is here and with it comes a bucket list a mile long of fun things to do. There’s apple picking, pumpkin patches, fall festivals, Halloween, and all the other things that make the season seem special. Soon, your social media feed will be filled with exactly that - friends, family, and even str...

09/23/2026

We are actively seeking dedicated teammates to join our program in Excelsior and the smaller surrounding towns, including Plattsburg. If you are passionate about making a positive impact in these communities, we welcome you to apply and grow with our team!

09/21/2026

Children are fantastic at embracing their unique interests and quirks. They often develop interests that adults don’t share or even understand. Children with autism in particular may develop intense, long-lasting interests that puzzle the people around them. Maybe they are stuck on dinosaurs, black holes, tornadoes, the Battle of Gettysburg, or a show most kids gave up on 5 years ago. Sometimes parents may start to question the interest, even growing concerned.

• Should they have moved on by now?
• Should I put an end to this?
• What if people think it’s weird?

Worrying about your child is normal, but here’s the thing. There’s no actual rulebook for what a child should like, when they should like it, or how much they should like it. If your child gets joy from their interest, and it isn’t hurting anyone, why the rush?

Learn more in our latest blog!

Children are fantastic at embracing their unique interests and quirks. They often develop interests that adults don’t share or even understand. Children with autism in particular may develop intense, long-lasting interests that puzzle the people around them. Maybe they are stuck on dinosaurs, blac...