Autism Diagnosis

“Can you grow out of autism?” It’s one of the most common and emotionally loaded questions parents ask after their child receives an autism diagnosis. It’s also one of the hardest to answer.  When we imagine our child’s future, many of us hope they’ll “catch up,” “blend in,” or someday become indistinguishable from their peers.

If you’re parenting a child with autism, you may start to notice similar traits in yourself or your partner. It’s a common experience, and one that often leads to the question: Who is qualified to diagnose autism in adults? Understanding this is the first step toward getting clarity and support. One client, after her daughter’s

Even when our son was a baby, my husband and I felt something wasn’t right. His hands and feet moved in constant circular motion, and he never babbled in his crib. Eventually, the Childhood Autism Rating Scale helped confirm what my instincts had long suspected: our son is autistic. At first, our concerns were brushed

Is chewing clothes a sign of autism? Each child may present with different symptoms, and there is no single behavior that leads to a definitive diagnosis. The same is true for chewing on clothing. While this can be a sign of autism, it’s important to pay attention to other possible symptoms, such as communication issues,

People often ask, “Do babies with autism smile?” It’s a common question since many people have a limited understanding of autism spectrum disorder. My son, Joey, laughs a lot. He’s a happy boy and has been since he was very young. While he has never had any trouble smiling, that belief is common because some

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition, mainly affecting communication, social interactions, language skills, and behavior. Because early traits may become more noticeable as a child grows, many wonder, “Can you develop autism?” In adults, growing awareness of autism can lead to self-recognition of lifelong traits. Though autism is present from an early age, its traits can

Aphantasia and autism both shape how individuals process information and experience the world. People with aphantasia don’t “see” pictures in their minds, even when imagining familiar faces or places. While aphantasia doesn’t limit creativity, it changes how imagination functions, just as autism shapes perception, interaction, and sensory experiences. Understanding these differences can help create more

“He doesn’t look like he has autism.” That’s a phrase I’ve heard all too often when telling people my son has a diagnosis. This common misconception raises a lot of questions about something called “autism face.” Parents and researchers have looked into the possibility that autism spectrum disorder may affect facial features among those diagnosed.

Autism can sometimes explain lifelong behaviors and habits that a person has always exhibited. Late autism diagnosis is more common than people realize. While ASD is typically associated with childhood, many individuals receive their diagnosis in adulthood. This delay can leave them feeling misunderstood or struggling without knowing why. Late diagnosis is especially common in

“No, he can’t have autism.” “No one in our family has autism, so it’s impossible for him to have autism.” These are phrases my wife and I heard from many friends and family members when we told them our younger son, Joey, had been diagnosed. Unfortunately, autism denial is a common experience for many. Most

Understanding your child’s developmental differences can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with terms like Global Developmental Delay (GDD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). While these conditions may share some similarities, they are distinct in their characteristics and needs. What is global developmental delay vs. autism? Let’s look at some actionable insights for parents and caregivers

A diagnosis of autism can be a pivotal moment for both a child and their parents. One common question that arises is – how late can autism develop? Parents and caregivers usually seek a diagnosis once certain signs and symptoms appear. However, many questions remain about the development of autism. A diagnosis can come at

The question you may have in mind after a new diagnosis is, “Now what?” Experiencing your child getting diagnosed with developmental disabilities or mental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder might feel overwhelming. Knowing what to do after an autism diagnosis, however, can make quite a big difference. Practical guidance and resources can provide valuable

Parents of children on the autism spectrum have all experienced it. One moment your child appears to be fine, and the next, they tend to be going further into the characteristics that define where they fall on the spectrum. It always raises the question, “What makes autism worse?” There are many factors that can exacerbate

Imagination is important to human development and helps individuals interact with their environment. There is an interesting relationship between autism and imagination that should not be overlooked. For parents and caregivers, understanding autistic imagination and how it may differ from their own can be beneficial. Also, understanding what imagination is and where it stems in

Many kids struggle with everyday activities that we may find easy to do. My older son struggled to tie his shoes or do anything involving fine motor skills. This is an example of a nonverbal learning disorder. While many kids are diagnosed with these two conditions, NVLD and autism aren’t always intertwined. Autistic kids who

Mary is wondering if her 6-year-old boy might have autism. He has trouble communicating and has repetitive behavior. Like many parents, a question at the forefront of her mind is: Who can diagnose autism? Diagnosing autism spectrum disorders is complicated; finding a reliable source can provide answers and support for the individual and their family

An autism diagnosis can bring a lot of uncertainty. One of the first things families learn is that it is a spectrum, hence autism spectrum disorder (ASD). But did you know there are different autism levels?  Besides being on a spectrum (low to high-functioning autism), not many parents know that the 5th edition of the

When I was a teenager, there was a young boy at our church who had been diagnosed with Kanner’s syndrome, a term once used to describe what many considered “classic” autism. While it’s no longer an official diagnosis, Kanner’s syndrome remains a helpful way to understand one end of the autism spectrum. That little boy

Getting a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can seem daunting to many parents and families. What does this mean? What are the symptoms? And what therapies are available?  We have done some research and digging and have found some answers to central questions. This article is not an exhaustive list and will not answer

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

As the world at large is learning more about ASD, many adults are starting to recognize the possibility that they have undiagnosed autism. While ASD is often associated with childhood, many individuals go through life without a formal diagnosis, independently navigating the complexities of undiagnosed autism in adults. I’ve considered the possibility of having undiagnosed

As a parent with a child newly diagnosed, it can be easy to ask yourself, “My child was diagnosed with autism – now what?” This is a reaction that is to be expected and can be followed with overwhelming feelings and a lot of questions. Families can find a lot of support, resources, and services

Many families live for years without fully understanding a loved one’s unique way of thinking, feeling, or connecting with others. Understanding the signs of “mild autism” in adults can be life-changing for families. Sometimes, what appears to be emotional distance, rigid routines, or intense focus on specific interests is actually part of a broader neurodevelopmental

You’ve researched and pored over every reputable autism resource to check symptoms and characteristics of the neurodevelopmental condition. So many things finally make sense. But is self-diagnosed autism a valid diagnosis? Self-diagnosed autism is controversial. Some in the autism community feel it’s a slippery slope to misdiagnosis, dilution of resources, and silencing of the “true”

Discussions about the shared traits between children with autism spectrum disorders and their undiagnosed parents often lead to pondering the broader autism phenotype. Is it possible for relatives of autistic kids to have autism spectrum disorder…to a lesser degree? Autism spectrum disorder is a medical diagnosis but the broader autism phenotype is not. Rather, it

For parents who may be wondering about the process of obtaining an autism diagnosis for their child and what follows after a diagnosis, this article could help. When parents first wonder if their child is on the autism spectrum, feelings of concern may arise along with questions as to what to do next. This review

Navigating and trying to figure out what should be on an autism symptom checklist can be daunting. Maybe there is a child in your life that shows signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), like repetitive behaviors, or an adult that questions whether their difficulties in social situations could mean they are autistic. Without a full

Your autistic child’s behavior may not conform to “classic” characteristics described by doctors and research. Does the spectrum have subtypes meaning autism may manifest uniquely according to differing categories? This used to be the case, until an umbrella term, autism spectrum disorders, was introduced. The spectrum nature of autism makes it difficult to diagnose; it

Jenny sat facing the ocean and, as the waves rolled in and out, so did her anxiety. That morning, at her daughter’s Well-Child Visit, she’d heard the pediatrician’s recommendation for a formal evaluation for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but she couldn’t quite process it yet. “I don’t even know how to get my child tested