Finding Balance As a Special Needs Parent
The phone rings, I pick up, and a dear friend asks if I am coming to the potluck tonight. I say thank you, and I wish I could, but I am terribly swamped tonight and perhaps another time. What I don’t say is, my son is having a bad day, he is on his tenth […]
Continue readingAmazing Tips for A Successful Flight With Your Child With Autism
There are many reasons why a family may use air travel. Maybe your child with autism wants to visit his/her grandparents. It could be a holiday visit with family members who live out of state. A simple summer vacation trip out of state could involve your child with special needs preparing to board a plane […]
Continue readingAutism and Comorbidities: How to Treat One While Treating the Other
Q&A with Matthew Fisher, MD, Medical Leader, Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health Psychiatric Residential Treatment Program and Outpatient Psychiatry Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) commonly experience other medical conditions or comorbidities that can sometimes mask or even exacerbate symptoms of autism. At the top of the list are psychiatric conditions, neurological issues, and even gastrointestinal […]
Continue readingWhy Not Pledge to Cut Yourself Some Slack In The New Year?
I never cared much for New Year’s resolutions. While the premise behind them is positive, the timing never seemed to make sense. If I’m planning on making productive changes to my life, why wait until a certain date to begin? Even if you do, why assign a strict year-long time period to achieve them? It […]
Continue readingDeveloping Life Skills With Autism-One Pizza Order at a Time
Friday night was pizza night. This tradition began when Dylan was in middle school and the increased social pressures and new academic pressures conspired to totally “unglue” him. By Friday, he was an exhausted wreck, and frankly, so was I. Middle school is difficult for most children. It was close to unbearable for Dylan. It […]
Continue readingRowan Found Her Voice—I Found a Better Way
Twenty-five years ago I gave birth to the most amazing little girl in the history of the world. She was perfect in every way, and we were crazy in love with her. But Rowan didn’t want to be touched or held. No child ever comes with a user’s guide, but in Rowan’s case, it was […]
Continue readingBest Ways to Explore the World With Your Special Needs Child
Travel is a core component of life; we all have a natural tendency to explore the world throughout our lifespan. Expanding our horizons not only offers a relaxing getaway but broadens the mind through new situations and experiences. Not only are the young and free travelling, but families are also now making the decision to […]
Continue readingAutism Medication Guide: Treating Autism and Its Core Symptoms
While the first clinical account of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was published more than 75 years ago by child psychiatrist Leo Kanner, the precise cause of autism is still not clear to scientists. Billions of dollars have been spent on autism research over the years in an attempt to unravel the mystery that now affects […]
Continue readingUnique Interactive Style of Learning Can Reduce Social Anxiety
Ten years ago, I was asked by the Asperger Autism Network of New England (A.A.N.E.) to run a group for young adults who wanted to learn the basics of dating and romance. At that point in my life, I had been an attorney, a divorce mediator, a life coach, and was beginning my training as […]
Continue readingWhat You Need to Know About Depression for People With Asperger’s
Depression 101 for Aspies Having a condition such as Asperger’s syndrome sounds complicated, however, we learn how to be in control, how to deal with it over time. We try this, we try that, and start noticing what gives good and bad results. It gets easier for sure. But what happens when you have two […]
Continue reading