Articles for parents and/carers that focus on ways to help make positive change; can include advice on finding answers to issues that affect people with autism, such as ways to master skills, ways to cope and handle certain situations.
Any parent has experienced moments when a child doesn’t respond to a question or instruction as expected—or at all! In children with autism, misunderstanding instructions is not about defiance but is often a matter of unclear communication. When an autistic child misinterprets or struggles to process directions, it can lead to frustration and anxiety for
Researchers often examine how a diagnosis impacts individuals on the spectrum, but it’s equally important to consider how autism affects families. From navigating services to providing daily support, families face unique challenges as they strive to help their loved ones lead fulfilling lives. Studies have found that autism mothers had higher levels of post-traumatic stress
Divorce is challenging for any family, but the intersection of autism and divorce brings unique complexities. Autistic children often struggle with transitions, and their family separation can be especially overwhelming. Sadly, many autistic children face the difficult reality of adapting to life with divorced parents and navigating changes in living arrangements. Understanding how to navigate
Including children in household tasks can be difficult. Sometimes, it seems like it slows down the process, and other times, you have to rev your child up so they are willing to participate. Getting children to play an active role around the house can sometimes feel like pulling teeth. However, the advantage of including children
I envied moms with neurotypical kids. It broke my heart to see children talking to their parents, enjoying treats, and just being kids while mine struggled with everything. I refused to believe my child’s challenges were permanent or acceptable traits. I wanted my child to thrive, not just survive. When doctors and therapists told me
My son struggles to hold a pencil. His writing is very difficult to read. All his life, he has struggled with motor skills. This is a common problem for many children with autism. Whether it’s gross motor skills, fine motor skills, or both, many children struggle with these developments. As our children with autism grow,
Finding engaging and supportive daily activities for autistic children is key to their development and well-being. It’s important for activities to match an autistic child’s unique needs, such as social skills and cognitive development. Create routines that will not only affect their daily lives but encourage independence for their older years. However, many of us
I started my career as a teacher in a school for children with severe, profound, multiple, and additional needs and then became the Head of Autism for a London Borough. Yet before my own son started school, I had images of picking him up from school, getting a huge cuddle, and spending the afternoon chatting
Gaining cooperation from any child can be a challenge. In the midst of the daily struggle to get through the schedule, many parents find themselves struggling with how to get an autistic child to listen or follow directions. As frustrating as these moments can be, there are ways of meeting your child where they are
Have you ever struggled with setting up appointments for doctors, therapists, or insurance for your child on the autism spectrum? Does that leave you concerned about what will happen to them when you can no longer advocate for them? That’s where an autism social worker comes into play. Whether it’s making sure those with an
Life is filled with transitions — be it changing schools, moving to a new home, shifting careers, or experiencing the loss of a parent. These shifts are inherent in our journey, shaping our experiences and guiding us through various stages of life. However, for people with autism, transitions can be a lot harder to manage.
Since autism is a spectrum disorder, it can be difficult to pinpoint specifics when it comes to differences among people. But is there a difference between male and female autism? To specify gender differences when talking about autism can be difficult because they can exist outside the context of gender alone. Since people are so
When autistic children start feeling overwhelmed, parents and teachers are always looking for tips on how to calm an autistic child. Since behaviors that are associated with autism can vary, it can be tricky to figure out the best calming strategies. Behaviors can range from refusing to listen and participate to self-injurious behaviors that can
An autism routine can make a significant impact on the everyday life and overall well-being of children on the spectrum. Creating and establishing routines can provide structure and a genuine sense of stability with the knowledge of what will happen next. There are daily activities that can be upsetting when unexpected changes occur. To help
Your child has recently been diagnosed with autism, so what do you do? It’s a new world that you and your child must navigate together. There’s no one-size-fits-all way to work with your autistic child. “So how can you make life easier for your child? Maybe an autism coach is the answer.” Many neurotypical people
As Christmas approaches, parents know that for their child diagnosed with autism, Christmas ornaments, activities, Christmas trees, and more can bring excitement for some and anxiety for others. So, what are some ways to make Christmas ornaments more autism-friendly? The Christmas ornament has a long-standing history for many people worldwide and throughout history. For many,
A fun part of children attending school for parents can be the school concert. When your child is musically inclined, or if they just love music in general, they can have fun with the concerts around the holidays and the end of the school year. But with autism, school concerts can take on a different
The holiday season is a time of peace and love for most families. However, autism and Christmas tell a whole different story. “I hate Christmas ” is a familiar refrain in my home. My oldest son and wife utter this phrase often during the holiday season. The truth is, both love a lot about Christmas.
Find out what adaptive skills are, why they are necessary, and where these skills are needed. “Who needs adaptive skills? I easily adapt from one task to the next.” Parents can easily think like this, especially if they are unaware of what adaptive skills are and why they are necessary. For children on the autism
Tips on how people on the Autism Spectrum can stay safe with Independence Day fast approaching Independence Day is fast approaching in the United States, and that means the sure signs of American patriotism will be on full display. Families will be going to picnics and barbecues, fun will be had at the nearest lake
An autism diagnosis can cause many parents and family members to experience various emotions — from anger and frustration to sadness and confusion. They might scour the internet and ask questions like “What causes autism?” or “How can autism be managed?”. One common question many parents ask at the beginning of this journey is: “Can
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
Finding the perfect chewy for autism can benefit those children with a need to chew. However, there are many different chew toys available on the market that range from chewy tubes to chewable jewelry that are textured and help with different tactile needs. When searching for the perfect chewy, it’s hard to know where to
What are the benefits of telehealth and Discrete Video Modeling (DVM) for families with autistic children across the globe? In the United States (US), an estimated 222 per 10,000 children received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2020—one of the world’s highest rates. Only South Korea (263) and Hong Kong (372) reported greater
Some may say that time does not exist, that it’s an illusion, a human construct existing only in our minds. For many parents with autistic children, this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Watching a ticking clock after you’ve sent your child upstairs to brush their teeth, school starting in mere minutes, makes time feel
When we consider the pathophysiology of autism, there is a lot of information to process. As a background, think about the fact our bodies function like an integrated system where each part and subpart plays a vital role in its overall functioning. When one part is affected, it may destabilize the system leading to disruptions
We’ve all heard about special interests in autism, but for many autistic individuals, the term can feel reductive or even patronizing. It fails to capture the depth of passion and dedication they have for their chosen subjects. Calling it a hobby doesn’t do it justice—yet alternatives like obsession or fixation can be misleading or even
As humans, we generally like knowing what to expect. Before we apply for a job, purchase a vacuum, book a trip, or whatever, we ask around or go online to acquire all the information we can find. Knowing what to expect provides us with the cushion of comfort we crave before diving in. Expectations are
When researcher Baron Cohen and his colleagues professed that synesthesia is more common (three times greater) in autism, many new questions surfaced for the curious parent. Another team of researchers used their study results to conclude that autistic individuals did not have a dysfunctional mirror neuron system. In this case, participants with autism could successfully
One mom shares her experience of Peer Coaching Circles and explains how, by joining with other parents, autism families can find great support. Everyone travels on their own path. On my journey, I have moved, overcome, and in vain left some of the pebbles behind. Each path is a path of clearing, reclaiming, and reconnection
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