This Month's Highlights
Empowering Girls on the Spectrum
Tips for improving girls’ self-esteem by recognizing their strengths.
Karen Kaplan, MS
Understanding Autism in Girls
Often misdiagnosed, girls need early assessments and support.
Susan M. Tatem, LPTA, CGIP
Social Challenges for Girls
Recognizing autism in girls can provide understanding and support.
Alicia Trautwein
Understanding Ritual Behaviors
A look at ritual behaviors and why they occur.
Dr. Danny L. McGuire, Jr., MA, MPA, MS, PCC
Independent Sleep Success
Independent sleep is possible with consistency and support.
Robyn Sajeski, RN, BSN
Q&A Dr. Temple Grandin
Dr. Temple Grandin answers questions about life skills and adulthood.
Temple Grandin, PhD
From Diagnosis to Social Connection
The importance of diagnosis for success and well-being.
Andrea Grant, BA PGDip and PGCert
Being on Display
A mother shares how to handle meltdowns with dignity and acceptance.
Lisa Candera, Esq., CLC
Different, Not Less
Kate Hooven reflects on defining moments that highlight her son’s talent.
Kate Hooven
Understanding ARFID and Supporting Your Child's Eating Journey
Tips to support kids with ARFID and encourage healthier eating.
Taylor Rae Homesley, LPC, CPCS, CEDS-S
Communication Tools for Success
What are effective communication strategies and tools?
Monica Hudnall, EdD, CCC-SLP
Art of Expression: Communicating Through Creativity
A look at art as a form of communication.
Cory Morrison
Sensory Processing: What Can Help?
Understanding sensory processing issues and how to help.
Sharon Alcock, OT
ASD Beyond IQ Scores
Why autistic strengths go far beyond test scores.
Shreya Batra, MSc. Clinical Psy, PGD Counseling Psy, DEd. Spl. Ed. -IDD
Movement and Academic Success
The importance of movement in children’s growth and learning.
Trina Volk, MOTR/L
Ask Dr. Malcolm
Dr. Malcolm answers parents’ questions about their autistic children.
Ronald I. Malcolm, EdD
Vocational Training in Autism
Ways to help your child gain skills for employment.
Sara R. Colorosa, PhD
Failure and Getting Back Up Again
How can failure be a way to learn and improve?
Angela Chapes
A Voice for Inclusion
One writer promotes inclusion and AAC awareness.
Sharon Longo, BA
Dear Readers,
Every parent wants to know that their child is equipped with the tools they need to handle any situation in life. Nervous about your first day of school? Whip out the lessons you learned about facing situations for the first time. Faced with a bully? Surround yourself with the confidence we built and practiced in social situations. Do you have concerns or questions about your new job? Pull out those self-advocacy skills that were honed over the years.
As a parent of a daughter, especially if she is on the spectrum, the worry might be heightened even more. Girls (and women, in general) must prove ourselves more than our male equivalents. Add in neurodiversity, and it may feel like peddling an exercise bike set to the highest resistance. So many girls are misdiagnosed or “missed diagnosed,” masking enough to slide by in a world that doesn’t realize the harm this can cause. Our theme for September is “Empowering Girls with Autism,” and just as we want to provide every tool possible to our children in general, this is even more imperative for our girls on the spectrum.
Each month, we want you, our readers, to have the necessary tools to help your children of all ages. While this may be the month for providing our girls with the superpowers to take on the world, every month should be a time for this. Let’s equip our children, especially our girls, to fight injustice and inequality while advocating for inclusion.
Happy reading!
Sharon Longo
Editor
Autism Parenting Magazine
©2026 Autism Parenting Magazine