Autism Parenting Advice

Tips from a hairstylist to make haircuts less stressful for kids on the spectrum. Does the following sound familiar? You have spent time online, looking at reviews. You have asked every single person you know, with the hope that they know the one person who might actually be able to cut your child’s hair. One

One parent provides insight into building a relationship with a child with pathological demand avoidance. I have never been good at math. The moment I see numbers clustered together, I start itching like someone who has just undergone a few rounds with a mosquito. Seriously, who decided to mix the alphabet with numbers? Why does

Does a PDA diagnosis support those on the spectrum or build more separation? I sat next to two young moms at a cafe, each with a child on the spectrum. Both children had been diagnosed with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), and both moms were concerned about the challenges they faced at school.  After introducing myself

Growing recognition of the importance of caring for caregivers has emerged in recent years. The relentless demands of caregiving can take a toll on parents’ physical and mental well-being, often leading to burnout and increased stress levels. Balancing professional commitments and personal life can be challenging. When you’re a caregiver for someone with autism, that

Parenting a child with autism brings unique joys and challenges, and it can place additional stress on even the healthiest relationships. Daily routines, therapies, and emotional ups and downs can easily lead to couples feeling disconnected. Yes, you will experience changes in your marriage relationship! However, the choices you make in the midst of these

As we walk our autism journey together, let’s explore self-compassion, which serves as the cornerstone for transformation. Transformation is the greatest gift we can give to our children and to ourselves. What is transformation? Transformation is a lifelong process of diving more deeply into our hearts and living more and more in alignment with our

Building relationships with autistic individuals requires understanding, patience, and flexibility. Nurturing these relationships can often present challenges because of communication differences, sensory sensitivities, certain behaviors, and differences in social understanding.  Despite these challenges, the rewards of fostering meaningful connections are rich. They offer mutual growth, understanding, and enriched experiences for autistic individuals and their loved

You’ve celebrated things most parents overlook: a clean face, a bite eaten without help, fastening a button for the first time. In your world, these “small” self-help skills aren’t small at all. They’re breakthroughs. Self-help skills for autism, like brushing teeth, zipping a jacket, or pouring a drink, may seem simple to others. However, for

Welcoming a grandchild into the world is a joyous occasion. When a grandchild is diagnosed with autism, grandparents find themselves on a unique journey, one that requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to learn and adapt. Let’s explore the role of grandparents in the lives of autistic grandchildren, focusing on activities to strengthen relationships with

Autistic children deserve equal access to fair and effective teaching methods. One effective strategy is through strengths-based support. Every autistic teen has unique strengths that can help them thrive in school, relationships, and daily life. A strengths-based approach to learning and personal growth allows them to build confidence while developing new skills. As a parent,

My husband and I sat in disbelief as we read the message from the school confirming the fifth snow day in a matter of weeks. As educators, we find joy and excitement in the first few snow days, but the fifth one was starting to feel a little overwhelming. We cannot control the weather. We

Parenting an autistic child can be both deeply rewarding and incredibly demanding. Early on, I became fully immersed in meeting my children’s needs—coordinating therapy sessions, working on IEPs, and balancing the differing sensory needs within our family. Days turned into a blur of appointments and routines, leaving little time for anything else. My life revolved

The holiday can be a very magical time for a person with autism spectrum disorder. It’s often riddled with hidden hurdles. As an autistic person, I didn’t have too many issues with Christmas as a child. My parents always thoroughly prepared me for the occasion and challenges that many people on the spectrum face. However,

As a working Santa Claus with almost forty years of experience, I’ve made many home visits and worked at parties and in grottos. I have observed that a child with autism is often much happier with a home visit than going to a grotto or mall. Sometimes, seeing Santa in these situations can be more

Thanksgiving is a time of togetherness, celebration, and gratitude, but for families with autistic individuals, the holiday can present unique challenges. Sensory sensitivities, changes in routine, and social expectations can make it overwhelming. With thoughtful preparation and a few adjustments, Thanksgiving can become an inclusive, enjoyable experience for everyone. This guide will provide practical tips

Cake, candles, party favors, and games are some common fare to find at a child’s birthday party. A big birthday bash can be an excellent way to celebrate family members and let them know they are loved. But sadly, for children with autism, birthday parties can be overwhelming. All the fares that many others find

Halloween can be a magical time: costumes, candy, and fun. However, for people with autism, trick-or-treating can come with some challenges. Sensory overload—flashing lights, loud noises, and large crowds—can make the experience hard to handle. Thankfully, there are practical ways parents and caregivers can help prepare their autistic child for trick-or-treating, enabling them to enjoy

The family vacation can be as simple as a trip to the nearest lake or beach or an elaborate trip to a long-desired destination. While families have traveled on vacations for years, trips become different when someone in the family has been diagnosed with autism. But there are autism-friendly vacations available for families to take

Many children love to cling to a parent. The parents are the first to show unconditional love, making the child feel safe with them. This can be heightened when the child has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. While it’s common for kids to favor parents over other adults, sometimes an autistic child will favor

Navigating life’s challenges can be tough for everyone, but for children on the autism spectrum, the journey comes with its own set of difficulties. From struggling to fit in and make friends at school to feeling overwhelmed in social situations, the journey for these kids can often feel isolating. As a parent of two autistic

Moving can be one of the most stressful events in life. Moving with a child on the autism spectrum is especially complicated and can be an emotional rollercoaster.  We are a military family, so moving is just part of our lives. Transitions, however, are still tough. Whether you have just moved or are planning an

Understanding and explaining autism to children and adults can be challenging yet rewarding. Whether you’re addressing a child who has just received a diagnosis, explaining autism to siblings who may not fully grasp their brother or sister’s unique behaviors, or helping grandparents understand their grandchild’s needs, this guide offers tailored advice to foster empathy, acceptance,

We’ve all been there. Our child is getting on our last nerve, and we finally lose all patience. Every parent goes through this. But children with autism react differently to a parent losing their cool than a neurotypical child does. So, what do you do when you are losing patience with an autistic child? It

Following an autism diagnosis, every parent will ask themselves what to do and what not to do with an autistic child. They are reasonable questions as parents want what’s best for their kids going forward. Every child with autism will require different supports, but there are still certain things all parents should avoid. From personal

A single mom allows readers insight into her deepest fears as a parent of children on the autism spectrum. Fear is a word that is used often and an emotion felt by most people daily. Fear is the onset of anxiety; it creates doubt, pressure, depression, and frustration. It causes people to procrastinate. Fear destroys

For parents with a child on the spectrum, any future consideration may feel overwhelming. However, the comfort of knowing your child’s future is secure is worth it. Parents hope and dream that their child with autism will progress, grow, and become an independent adult. Because of this, it is not uncommon for some to avoid

An autism babysitter could be an excellent option for parents who need to know that their child’s special needs are being met. Finding quality child care, whether at a child care center or home, can be challenging when parents seek candidates to meet their child’s needs. A child’s development and safety are of utmost importance,

When our child gets diagnosed with autism, it opens up a range of questions. “How can we help them?” “What will their future be like?” “Will they be able to have children?” “What’s life like for autistic parents?“ Depending on our knowledge of autism and how it affects those on the spectrum, we may already

Change is part of life. We move from one task to the next or even move house. But many autistic children thrive on consistency and a schedule – struggle adapting to change.   This struggle can cause stress for the children, parents, teachers, and others interacting with them during these difficult transitions. Instead of reacting, parents,