When we brought my seven-year-old stepdaughter with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to the hospital to see her new baby sister, her eyes filled with awe. She sat gently at the foot of the bed, somewhat afraid to touch the wriggling squeaker in daddy’s arms. Throwing glances to my now-deflated belly and back to the wrapped… Continue Reading
Buy Single Issue Subscribe today and save 50% Features: The Best Fidget Toys to Relieve Stress and Anxiety An occupational therapist and owner of a sensory toy subscription service describes the most popular fidget toys that can help calm children with autism. Christina Kozlowski, OTR/L The Importance of Activity and How to Include it… Continue Reading
“What’s his autism?” asks my son, whom I’ll call Caleb, as we are packing his bag for swim team practice. He’s talking about a school friend who, like him, is on the spectrum. “What do you think it is?” “Well,” he says, “he gets frustrated when the schedule changes, just like I used to.” “So… Continue Reading
I find myself caring for the Chia Pet, Watering it and putting the little plastic bag on it so that the seeds will bloom. I’m not sure if mothers of typical kids would find themselves doing this too. Do all mothers end up feeding their kids’ puppies and watering their kids’ plants? How much should… Continue Reading
Buy Single Issue Subscribe today and save 50% Features: Simple Ways to Increase Your Child’s Fine Motor Skills at Home Top everyday activities you can do with your child to help improve fine motor skills. Tulika Prasad Teaching a Child with Autism to Swim Can Save a Life Learn the key benefits to teaching… Continue Reading
Autism is easy to misunderstand, misinterpret, and mislead. My son is the master of disguise, and the best way to understand our kids is to assume nothing. That is, assume only that they are kids, children, teens—silly, loving, intelligent—and, well, simply put, no different than any other kid. Everything I have been told about autism… Continue Reading
Buy Single Issue Subscribe today and save 50% Features: Celebrating the Love and Strength of Women in Our Lives In celebration of Mother’s Day, autism advocate and attorney Areva Martin shares an intimate look at the enduring effect of strong and loving women. Areva Martin, Esq. Top Ways Autistic Teens Can Transition to the… Continue Reading
People seemed to freeze in their movements as my son, Frankie, ran through the parking lot screaming “Nooo!” I avoided eye contact and hurried to catch him before we provided the store’s entertainment for the day. I tried not to show fear and kept a straight face as I hurried to catch him. If I… Continue Reading
I’m not a supermom, but I get that a lot. Having a child with autism does not make me one. Please let me be weak and cry, let me make mistakes and let my guard down, and let me just be a mom, a wife, and a woman—not a “super” someone. The day my son… Continue Reading
It’s 7:30 am and we are waiting in the car for our carpool friends to meet us. My happy boy is in the back giggling about something—I will never know what. An idea has been brewing in my mind for a bit, and I decide today is the day to try it. I tell my… Continue Reading