Keep up with the latest news and updates
June 8, 2023
Is there a difference between Asperger’s and autism? If so, what are the differences? Many people use both terms but are not always aware of the history, meaning, and context. Although there seems to have been an increase in awareness and trying to understand autism and other diagnoses, there are still plenty of questions and
May 2, 2023
The global Autism Parenting Summit is returning in May 2023. Summit host Autism Parenting Magazine has announced that the virtual event will be back for four days on May 12th, 13th, 14th, and 15th with a stellar lineup of expert speakers. Doctors, therapists, educators, advocates, and people on the spectrum will again cover the topics
April 18, 2023
A reminder that there is so much more to communication than speech—your child may be speaking to you in his/her own unique way. For over 35 years, I’ve engaged with children on the autism spectrum, children who were labeled nonverbal. As a speech and language therapist, I am here to tell you, they all communicated
April 13, 2023
Have you heard about the gut-brain connection in autism? Researchers have discovered that there may be a link between gut bacteria (the microbiome) and the brain, which could contribute to certain challenging behaviors, such as aggression, emotional meltdowns, and self-injury, in autism. For many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), coping with irritability is an
April 11, 2023
A respected educator offers advice for supporting your nonverbal child on the spectrum. It is not uncommon for a child with autism to present with a speech or communication concern. Many researchers believe as high as 40 percent of children with autism may be nonverbal. The following practical suggestions may help you to assist and
April 5, 2023
Due to the fact that over 75% of adults with a disability live with their aging parents, and one million of those households in the United States are being managed by a parent over the age of 60, planning for the future needs to be discussed. The obstacles to planning for the future can be
April 4, 2023
As students prepare to go back to school following the summer, the question is: how can we ensure they feel safe post-pandemic? Some are saying: “What could schools look like for those with severe autism, post-pandemic?” Those students who are unable to wear a mask, stay a reasonable distance from another, follow directions without physical
April 3, 2023
An autism dad shares how his family celebrates this notable month. April is Autism Acceptance Month. It’s the time of year where we put an extra focus on Autism Spectrum Disorders and those affected by it. It helps bring the autism community together with walks and events that help autistic kids and their families get
March 30, 2023
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released the results of its latest autism spectrum disorder study, and autism is more prevalent around the world. According to the study, one in every 36 kids in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. That’s up from one in 44 in the previous study
March 15, 2023
One of the keyways I have been supporting learners during my time as a special needs school teaching assistant and as an LSA at a local college, and now with my own daughter, who I am home educating, is by providing learning that is interest based. This means that the activities and tasks I provide
March 10, 2023
Parents and caregivers of children with diagnosis of down syndrome and autism spectrum disorders, can wonder if these diagnoses can coexist, and when it comes to down syndrome vs autism what should they look for? Although these two conditions can coexist, if parents and/or caregivers have concerns, their child’s doctor has the knowledge and resources
March 9, 2023
A tale of an autistic adolescent boy going through life’s natural changes when change is his worst enemy. 4:53am: ”Mom?” A low whisper from my 12-year-old son. I give no response. “MOM!!” A louder whisper I can’t ignore. Here we go. I fly out of bed, through the dark (I’m a veteran to navigating the
March 7, 2023
Financial planning for your autistic child’s future can be scary. Learn about Samuel and how his parents took the initiative to start a business to support his future. Meet Samuel Samuel is 24 years old. He was born in Round Rock, Texas. He was diagnosed with PDD-NOS at age four. He began speech and physical
March 6, 2023
As the world at large is learning more about autism spectrum disorder, a whole host of adults are starting to recognize the possibility they have undiagnosed autism. It’s leading to adults seeking out testing for a possible autism diagnosis. While autism spectrum disorder is often diagnosed as early as two years old, many adults are
March 3, 2023
Parents can spend hours looking for support for their children with autism, accommodations that can make learning and the environment a little easier. Some of the learning challenges that autistic children can face, along with sensory processing difficulties, and others that are specific to the student can make learning much more difficult. It doesn’t have
March 2, 2023
Encouragement Speaker Derrick Hayes gives an AUTISM Interview by asking six questions through each letter in the word AUTISM to give readers an insightful perspective from parents, experts, entrepreneurs, and other leaders in the field. Rose Morris is the founder and president of Abram’s Nation and a mother who was driven by the relentless pursuit
March 1, 2023
Q: I have a nine-year-old girl who is not able to speak fully. She can spell some words when we teach her, but I want her to get better in her speech. Any suggestions, please? A: Hi Kavitha, Firstly, saying a letter in isolation can often be easier than saying a whole word with multi-syllables
February 24, 2023
Do autism and sport go together? It’s a question that I’m sure the parents of any children on the autism spectrum have asked themselves. It’s a question that my wife and I have definitely asked ourselves when it comes to our own children. But it’s not an easy question to answer, and can change depending
February 23, 2023
Understanding your older child’s sexual identity and desires isn’t always easy. Meet one family that has successfully navigated this journey. Understanding our place in the world is difficult enough; trying to understand our human sexuality can make it even more difficult. This article is designed to help families of young people on the spectrum gain
February 21, 2023
Imagine hearing there is a huge waitlist for your child to be enrolled at an ABA center? As a parent, you feel defeated and helpless. This article is going to cover ABA therapy activities that parents can easily do at home to help their child with autism. Today, ABA therapy is one of the most
February 17, 2023
As a parent with a child newly diagnosed with autism, it can be easy to ask yourself, “What do I do for my child diagnosed with autism?” This is a reaction that is to be expected and can be followed with overwhelming feelings and a lot of questions. The good news is that parents don’t
February 16, 2023
Have you really considered the possible causes behind maladaptive behaviors among autistic children? Many children on the autism spectrum have difficulty regulating their emotions. Outbursts, acting in defiance, or fleeing a situation are examples of behaviors of children experiencing stressful situations that result in feelings of anger, frustration, or anxiety. Behavioral science suggests that all
February 15, 2023
Ideas for supporting children on the spectrum as they enter puberty, navigate hormones and explore relationships. As a working mom of three children, ranging from ages four to 15, it is safe to say that I have a lot on my plate. The thing is, all parents have a lot on their plates. We must
February 10, 2023
A look at how parents can find the right dentist for their child with sensory sensitivity. Finding a dentist for children can be a struggle, but it poses additional concerns for parents of children on the autistic spectrum. Nationwide, more than 52 million people in the U.S. have special needs. Unfortunately, less than 10% of
February 9, 2023
This article is going to cover what dyspraxia is, symptoms, and whether or not there is a possible link between dyspraxia and autism spectrum disorders. Although there will be discussion about this condition, it is always recommended to talk to your child’s doctor for information related to dyspraxia and any questions or concerns about your
February 8, 2023
It’s unfortunate that motherhood is subjected to external opinions/judgment; this is often the case for parents raising a child with PDA. This article offers some tips for parents experiencing “bad press”. Pathological demand avoidance (PDA) is characterized in children by a continual resistance to everyday demands through social manipulation which has, at its root, an
February 8, 2023
There are parents of autistic children who wonder if there is a connection between autism and bedwetting. They have probably noticed that their children have some sleep problems, like: These and other nighttime issues can cause anxiety in both parents and children. This article is going to discuss whether there is a connection between autism
January 25, 2023
When it comes to educating children with autism and learning difficulties, the question arises whether they are one in the same. The reason for wondering this is because there seem to be challenges that an autistic child experiences in an educational setting that can look like another learning disability. Autism spectrum disorders are not the
January 19, 2023
The Masgutova Method was created by Dr. Svetlana Musgutova during the 1989 UFA train disaster that resulted in many children that were severely injured and traumatized. Dr. Musgutova figured out that these children were not responding to previously used, cognitive approaches to therapy. These children were not responding because the level of trauma they experienced
January 5, 2023
The neurodiverse world is surrounded by different stigmas, ADHD with high IQ is a topic discussed. The discussions are whether there is a connection, how does masking affect this, and are all people diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) geniuses, and many others. In this article, the goal will be to help dispel some
January 4, 2023
We are so thankful at Autism Parenting Magazine (APM) to all of the contributors who share their expertise in order to provide the information that helps us help all of our families around the world. With their contribution of time and knowledge, we are able to provide up-to-date advice throughout each issue, as well as
December 28, 2022
“I’m sorry Mrs. Campbell, I am not sure what to tell you,” The doctor stated sympathetically, “Your son’s symptoms are not responding the way we had hoped. There is one treatment that we could try.”Mrs. Campbell looked up with desperate anticipation, “We would try anything to help our boy”.The doctor continued, “It is a controversial
December 27, 2022
The mom that has it “all together” is an idea pitched to us from all sides. That picture most moms have in their heads of what the “perfect mom” is a well dressed lady, works inside and outside the home, super organized, has kids who are clean and sitting at the table eating a full
December 20, 2022
Sound therapy for autism spectrum disorders uses certain sounds that are thought to help with some behavioural disorders that can be associated with autism. It is thought that children with autism can benefit the most, because when there are early interventions the brain is more adapted to learn and respond. This article is going to
December 15, 2022
Helping our children manage emotions requires understanding. The teacher’s voice broke as she relayed the events of the day that culminated in her having to evacuate the class away from my son. In addition to yelling at people, he had also been throwing chairs. “It breaks my heart because this behavior has consequences that prevent
December 14, 2022
When a child with autism needs help understanding how to behave in certain social settings, one useful tool is the social story. These stories or packets help students learn necessary skills, preparing them in advance for an event or situation that might occur. Understanding the importance of fire safety or any type of disaster training
December 7, 2022
I walked into his room. Tears poured down my cheeks against my will. I couldn’t help it. My son, whose meltdown and unkind words were the inspiration for my tears, looked at me with shock. He ran to me and put his arms around me and said he was sorry. I hugged him back and
December 6, 2022
Owen had been holding it together all day. Great day at school, amazing time at aftercare, and baseball practice? Nailed it! He was exhausted mentally, emotionally, and physically. All he wanted to do was eat dinner and play on his phone. Mom’s plan for doing chores was met with as much resistance as he could
November 30, 2022
As parents and caregivers to children on the spectrum, you may find yourself wondering every now and again, why they did what they did and question the link between impulse control disorder and autism. Impulsive behaviors can go hand in hand in childhood and is a way that children test their environment and learn different
November 29, 2022
As the number of individuals diagnosed with autism over the years has increased, there has been light shown on links between multiple diagnoses for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one link being between autism and cancer. At the surface, it would seem that these two diagnoses would be unrelated. Autism symptoms can be comorbid
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