Tips for Helping Autistic Children Learn during the Pandemic

A Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Johnny Poulsen has more than 20 years of executive management, sales distribution, and financial services experience. He also has an MBA from the City University of Seattle. Johnny Poulsen is the CEO of Income Lab, a Denver, CO-based firm that provides retirement income planning services and supports charitable causes, especially those directed at Alzheimer's disease and autism.

Children with autism will likely experience several difficulties as they learn from home during the pandemic, including the challenge of having to process information differently and complete tasks independently. In addition, since they associate specific tasks with locations, doing assignments at home may be difficult, which may increase their anxiety levels.

As a result, it's crucial to create an enabling learning environment at home and familiarize the child with a new structure and routine. Below are several strategies for parents of autistic children who aim to help their children study at home.

To begin with, condition them to the new learning environment by working with them to create a new schedule. Place a copy in a visible place in the house. It helps the child understand and know what to expect every day.

Also, incorporate a lesson plan into the schedule. Get a homework plan from the child's teacher, which contains specific tasks or skills they need to learn. Use innovative tools such as puppets to tell stories they don't understand.

Next, use technology-aided instruction to teach numeracy and literacy skills. Tech tools animate viewers, inspiring them to understand and communicate task requirements. There are many free or inexpensive easy-to-use apps that can be tailored to their needs and learning style.

Last, as a parent, don't try to do everything alone. If you encounter any challenges, seek out support from other parents, teachers, and online resources.

Three Underrated Hikes near Denver

Johnny Poulsen, the CEO and co-founder of Income Lab in Denver, CO, is a senior executive with over two decades of experience in the financial services sector. When he isn’t busy with work, Johnny Poulsen enjoys hiking.

Colorado is known for its outdoor opportunities, and the state is home to numerous hiking trails. Here are a few hiking spots near Denver that are worth visiting:

- Deer Creek Canyon Park. Roughly 21 miles from Denver, Deer Creek Canyon Park in Littleton is a good stop for people who want to take some time from the city. With scenic views of Denver and nearby red rock formations, the canyon has about 13 miles of trails.

- Mount Goliath Research Natural Area. Home to thousand-year-old bristlecone pines, the area is a popular site for hikers, who can choose from several trails depending on the length and difficulty they want.

- Mount Falcon. This easy trail is just 27 miles from Denver in the town of Morrison. Perfect for history buffs and nature lovers, the trail takes hikers through several historical landmarks and includes awe-inspiring mountain views and wildflower fields. 

Early Retirement Investment Planning and Diversification

Johnny Poulsen is a financial planning expert with over 25 years of experience in various professional roles. He worked as a sales strategist and financial advisor before becoming CEO and co-founder of Income Lab, a retirement planning fintech firm based in Denver, CO. Johnny Poulsen shares his knowledge by regularly speaking to outside groups on retirement income planning.

Many people don’t have retirement in mind when they assume their first job, but it’s the best time to start making plans for it. Retirement planning begins with determining how much money a person requires to maintain the desired lifestyle after leaving the workforce, and then making plans towards its attainment. Accordingly, one needs to formulate an investment plan. Such a strategy involves choosing credible options to invest in over a period, with reasonable rates of returns.

There is no overemphasizing the importance of diversifying an investment portfolio among aggressive and conservative investment vehicles. It is advisable to invest in more volatile investments that have higher returns in the early stages of one’s professional life, unlike the mid or later stages when the focus should be on capital preservation.

With aggressive investments, funds should be able to snowball, though due diligence must be done to mitigate possible risk factors. Conservative investments should provide stability to the portfolio. Whether choosing aggressive or conservative investment options, it is crucial to ensure that the rate of return of the total portfolio is higher than the annual inflation rate.

The Importance of Individual Financial Planning

For over two decades, Johnny Poulsen has been helping businesses and professionals through his financial expertise. In 2018, he co-founded the fintech Income Lab, located in Denver, CO, and serves as its CEO. In this role, Johnny Poulsen provides software to advisors serving individuals who are looking for a detailed financial plan, especially for retirement.

The personal financial plan, usually created with the help of a qualified advisor, contains the individual’s current situation and long-term monetary goals. There are also strategies to achieve future expectations. Anyone can have a financial plan, and following it is of extreme importance.

When the plan is created, all objectives, procedures, and budgets are set to ensure adequate management of the money for better stability. The plan is also helpful when choosing the right investments for a personal portfolio, because it contains information such as the client’s income capacity and risk profile.

The process of financial planning has the effect of reducing uncertainty and easing the mind, since it often provides for high-liquidity investments that can be used as a source of emergency funds. People with a dream or goal are more likely to achieve the objective with a good financial plan in place.