Growing Up With Autism
Back in June 2013 I wrote about my son, who was on the verge of getting a diagnosis of being on the autism spectrum. At the time, I wanted to write about him before I got the diagnosis because I needed to remind myself that my son is not his diagnosis. I was afraid that […]
Continue reading5 Myths About Girls With Asperger’s and Social Groups
Think you know about girls on the autism spectrum? Well, think again. Here are five myths you may have heard about that need to be reconsidered when we think about girls who have been diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome (AS), “mild autism,” or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) level 1. This information comes from original research done […]
Continue readingFun and Affordable Sensory Play Ideas for Kids With Special Needs
Sensory play is important for the development of all children—and that’s even truer for children on the autism spectrum who might have sensory integration issues. Whether it’s climbing a tree, squishing Play-Doh through their fingers, blowing bubbles, or burying their feet in the sand, sensory play stimulates the senses and helps children discover and understand […]
Continue readingHow to Use Music As a Tool to Gain Attention With Autism
It is Thursday. I am about to meet a new child on the autism spectrum. My goal is to teach basic music skills and use these skills to build confidence, improve fine motor movement and prompt timely responses. To achieve this, I must capture the child’s attention. Brain function researchers have applied various definitions to […]
Continue readingFor Better or Worse: How to Overcome the Effects of Autism on Marriage
My marriage almost ended. The daily stress and energy expended to advocate for and raise my active and unusual child on the autism spectrum led to complete exhaustion and meltdown. There was simply nothing left for anyone else, including my spouse. Hyper-focus on my son’s well-being, coupled with differences between my partner and me in […]
Continue readingMeet Richie Smith – A Remarkable Man With Big Ambitions
Richie Smith is a managing director of Awesometistic, a unique autism training business. Diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder at 33 years old, Richie’s goal is to generate autism understanding and acceptance wherever he goes. Can you share with me what life was like growing up without an official autism diagnosis? Growing up without a diagnosis […]
Continue readingGender Identity: The Least of My Concerns
Last week I overheard my 5th grader, Olivia talking with her friend about not being a “girly-girl.” She asked if her friend noticed. Her friend said “yes.” Then Olivia asked her if she cared. So I asked myself, did I notice that Olivia wasn’t a “girly-girl?” Did I care? If your child is expressing a […]
Continue readingHow to Find the Right Social Skills Group for Your Child
Mastering social skills is generally an ongoing endeavor for kids on the autism spectrum. Just when you master one skill, peers get older, change, and it’s time for an upgrade. How do you know if your child is ready to benefit from learning social skills in a group setting? In my office, groups promote safe […]
Continue readingNew Hope: A Documentary Filmmaker’s Perspective on Peering Over the Cliff
In May of 2017, I had the good fortune to begin filming my first feature-length documentary, This Business of Autism about employment opportunities for adults on the spectrum. The film follows the expansion of Spectrum Designs, which is a custom screen-printing and embroidery business located in Port Washington, New York. Seventy-five percent of Spectrum Designs’ […]
Continue readingHow Do I Know If My Child With Autism is Depressed?
According to research, approximately 20 percent of the population will experience depression at some point in their lives—this statistic increases to almost 60 percent in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Mood disorders (including depression) do tend to be more common in those with developmental disabilities compared to the more general population. However, depression in […]
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